Which Wire is for Power and Which is for Ground on a Brake Assembly
Question:
I just bought a used horse trailer with tandem axle. Only one axle has trailer brakes and they are not working. Ive done some research, but still seem to be having issue where i cant get the brake controller to recognize them. The trailer has a good ground at the tongue not the tongue, and there is a blue wire that runs to the brake lights and the brake area. The wire is not connected to the brakes. My question is: there are two wires coming from the brake drums, through the axle tube to the other side and connected there. Do I connect both wires to the wire coming from the tongue, or do I need to connect one to the ground? If ground one, does it matter, and do both sides need to be grounded?
asked by: Kip J
Expert Reply:
If the 2 wires at the back of your brake assemblies are not connected to anything, like in the attached picture of part # AKEBRK-7R-SA, then that is definitely your problem.
You will need to splice in the wire that carries the brake controller signal from your vehicle to one of the wires on each assembly. The other wires for each assembly, as you mentioned, will need to be grounded to a clean, bare-metal surface on your trailer. Luckily for brake assemblies it doesn't matter which one is power and which one is ground.
If the blue wire is running to your brake lights then this is not the wire that needs to be connected to the brake assemblies. The correct wire will be coming from the pin in the 7 o'clock position on a 7-Way or the 2 o'clock position if you have a 6-Way. These are highlighted in the linked wiring article that I attached for you to reference.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - Self-Adjusting - 12" - Right Hand - 5,200 lbs to 7,000 lbs
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Brakes
- Electric Drum Brakes
- RH
- 5200 - 7000 lbs
- Brake Assembly
- Self Adjust
- 12 x 2 Inch Drum
- etrailer
more information >
Featured Help Information
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - Self-Adjusting - 12" - Right Hand - 5,200 lbs to 7,000 lbs
- Search Results: akhd~655~6~ez~k
- Search Results: akhd~865~7~1~ez~k
- Search Results: 42866uc3~ez
- Shop: Hydraulic Trailer Brake Kit - Uni-Servo - 12" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 5.2K to 7K
- Shop: etrailer Electric Trailer Brakes - Self-Adjusting - 12" - Left/Right Hand - 5.2K to 7K
- Shop: Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly - 5,200-lb to 7,000-lb Axles - 12" Diameter - 8 on 6-1/2
- Shop: Easy Grease Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly for 5.2K & 6K Axles - 12" - 6 on 5-1/2 - Pre-Greased
- Shop: Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly - 7K lb E-Z Lube Axle - 12" - 8 on 6-1/2 - 1/2" Studs
- Shop: Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brakes - 12" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 6K
- Q&A: Replacing 6-Way on Trailer With 7-Way Connector
- Q&A: Troubleshooting Weak 12" Electric Brakes with Full Power Being Sent to Them
- Article: Most Popular Wheel Bearings
- Search Results: 25580
- Q&A: Lug Nut Torque Chart for Trailer Wheels
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Q&A: How to Tell if Trailer has a BT8 or BTR Spindle Installed
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Search Results: l44649
- Video: etrailer Electric Trailer Brake Kit Installation
- Article: Trailer Tire Sizing
- Q&A: How to Determine the Size of a Trailer Hub Assembly for Replacement
- Search Results: 10~36
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Q&A: What is the Best Grease for Trailer Bearings
- Video: etrailer Trailer Idler Hub Assembly Installation
- Article: Replacing the Bearing, Races and Seals on a Trailer Hub
- Search Results: 25520
- Shop: Suspension Enhancement
on Accessories and Parts
