Hydrastar Trailer Brake Actuator

[Bosn Mate]

While winterizing the trailer, I had a question on the emergency breakaway battery; specifically if I should remove and place on trickle charge until used in the spring. I was confused about some info in the service manual so I called Hydrastar and confirmed this was an acceptable process.

Just curious if others winterize this battery as well?

 

[knotflying]

Never did anything with it except test it by pulling the break away pin out to ensure that everything worked. Replaced it after 6 years of use and it would not hold a charge.

 

[Red Raven]

I trickle charge mine in the spring before launching and in the fall before retrieving.

 

[YukonRon]

Thanks for the heads up on this! I totally missed this battery in my winterizing.
I just pulled it out now. It is a sealed lead-acid battery (pic below). Is this the same type of battery that you guys are trickle charging? I have a smart charger that has a setting for the motorcycle/ATV batteries, but those are not sealed. Is it ok to trickle charge this one?
I measured it at 12.84V with no load, but it quickly dropped to 11.64V with a 50 Watt/12V work light on it. I'm surprised it works at all, considering it sat out all last winter; 9 months with temps sometimes down to -30 or -40C. Should I just replace it?

 

[Bosn Mate]

Ron - your battery looks similar to mine except the brand I have is Neata.

I am an extreme novice with batteries/electricity so after pulling out the battery, I did some research on charging. I have a Schumacher Battery Extender charger which I set on AGM (looked at the manufacturer's web-site) with a 3 AMP charge rate (suitable for small batteries). Once the charge was complete, it went into maintain mode (delivery of small current when necessary).

So.....I recommend checking the battery manufacturer's web-site and then confirming that your charger can deliver what is necessary. Unfortunately I can't comment on replacing your battery.

Hope this helps.

 

[stwendl]

Owen batteries are not agm batteries but gel cells. They are usually used as backup batteries in alarm system, emergency lighting etc. they have a lifetime of about 3 years and are mostly used for a few times in emergencies. The break controller receives its main power from the car and while doing so supplies a charge to the gel battery. The charge in it is just sufficient to engage the hydraulic brakes a few times in case the trailer gets unhooked while towing and pulls the emergency cable. Better not be on a slope since it won’t hold the trailer for long.

When storing the battery can and should be removed during extreme heat and cold. For charging you would use a charger set to gel batteries chemistry. If charged to fast the gel will dry out and can not be replenished like with a flooded battery. They especially do not like gasing out and will swell when doing so. Gel batteries that are swollen have reached their end of life and should be properly discarded. They contain lead and the acid is in gel form. Advantages are that they can be mounted in any orientation similar like agm batteries

They can be charged just by applying some voltage as present in the trailer supply voltage but that rough charging is not gentle on the battery. Since it is mostly in charged state and the charged voltage is about what you get on a car there is probably little harm done. However if discharged, a proper charging regimen is better for the life of such batteries. Considering the cost of those devices, that advice is frequently disregarded

 

[BB marine]

Over the winter I converted my trailer from surge brake actuator to electric-hydraulic Hydrastar actuator. The battery used is Universal UB1250. The specs for this battery (12V 5AH 20hr) Sealed lead acid AGM. The battery charger for maintaining the battery is built into the battery box so a 12V charging source at the trailer plug is all that is needed for maintenance.
Manufactures storage maintenance requirements "Battery should hold a charge for 6 months while in storage recharge if necessary, Recharge in 6 months if stored above 86 F and 3months if stored above 104 F. Always confirm it is fully charged before storage. A discharged battery stored for more then six months will shorten service life." (the cost of this Battery is around $15.00)

The Hydrastar actuator recommended for my trailer, HBA 16 pressure output of 1600psi. This is required with Disc brake Dexter Axels.

The conversion from from surge to Electric-Hydraulic was straight forward. I removed the Titan 20,000 lbs surge actuator and installed a 20000 lbs Demco extra long coupler. I made a custom diamond plate mounting bracket for mounting the actuator, Battery and HBA-Cam (required for proper operation when using factory in cab brake controller GM 2007 to 2017,2018 and newer do not need it) Brake bleeding was done by-passing the break-away switch with a momentary push button switch so I could bleed them (1 person operation) When bleeding I flushed all old fluid out.

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Part of my brake system conversion also included inspection of all brake components and wheel bearings. All wheels were removed, aluminum wheels were cleaned, inspected, and protectant applied. All bearings were removed cleaned inspected and repacked. I replaced the "China wheel seals" with heavy duty double lip spring loaded Timken National seal 412920. The National seals are pricy but last a lot longer. I noticed seals leaking on my trailer after 3000 miles of use (Factory installed seals). ( grease splattered on inside of Wheel)