Can 12 Volt Brake Controller Operate 6 Volt Brakes
Question:
I NEED TO TOW A TRAILER WITH 6 VOLT DC BRAKES AND MY VECHICLE IS 12 VOLTSDC CAN I INSTALL AN IN LINE REDUCER CANT SEEM TO FINE A STORE THAT SELL THEM
asked by: John S
Helpful Expert Reply:
You must have a vintage Airstream or something with old Warner electric brakes.
Technically you could adjust the output voltage on any brake controller down to 6 or fewer volts (by adjusting the gain or power output knob) and it will work with the 6 volt brakes that you have without having to add any additional parts or a separate voltage regulator.
There isn't a brake controller that is set up to work directly with 6 volt brakes and using a 12 volt controller will not harm the 6 volt magnets (unless you went way over the 6 volt output on the controller). But since brake controllers send back varying voltages based on what you have them set at you could just use any brake controller, such as # 5504 for a time delay or # 90885 for a proportional, and set the power low.
The power draw of at least two 6 volt magnets would be sufficient to let the brake controller know that the trailer is connected. But I recommend switching to 12 volt brakes because that is what is common and you won't have any trouble finding compatible replacement parts like you would with 6 volt brakes. The Warner 6 volt magnets only can be as much as 200 bucks!
Products Referenced in This Question
Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Proportional Controller
- Electric
- Electric over Hydraulic
- Automatic Leveling
- Under-Dash Box
- Dash Mount
- Up to 4 Axles
- LED Display
- Up to 360 Degrees
- Tekonsha
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
35 Ft 4-Way Trailer Wiring Harness - Wishbone Style - 42" Ground
- Trailer Wiring
- Trailer Connectors
- Trailer End Connector
- 31 Feet and Longer
- Plug and Lead
- 4 Flat
- Optronics
more information >
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