Here at JM Horseboxes we thought we would try to help you by writing some small articles covering various aspects of horsebox health!

Hopefully some of these can save you time, money or even your life!

Today’s ‘Top Tips’ is on ..

Engine Batteries and battery health – without running to shows, clinics or events our Horseboxes just aren’t getting the use they usually get or need. This will cause problems. Here are a few tips to help prevent problems and keep your lorry ready for when you do need it.

⚡️Try to start your Horsebox at least once a week but when you do it’s important to leave the engine to run for a good 40 minutes to an hour to get some charge in to the engine batteries. It is also possible to buy a ‘trickle charge’ system to help to keep them topped up.

⚡️If you have a tachograph this will continually draw a small charge from your batteries so keeping them topped up and charged is essential. Most Horseboxes will be fitted with a battery ‘isolator’ switch. Always use this when you park up your lorry as it helps prevent any loss of charge from your engine batteries (useful to remember at shows too!). You can usually remove the isolator key which again is added security for your horsebox when it is left at the yard! If you do not have an isolator switch they can easily be fitted here at JM Horseboxes.

⚡️Jump start – If you do have to jump start your horsebox and it has a 24v system (two 12v batteries fastened together with a link wire) always place the positive + lead and the negative – lead on to the opposite batteries. Because the batteries are ‘linked’ they act as 1 battery. Never attach the leads on to the link wire as this can cause many problems to the electrical system!