Why is 10 or 12 Gauge Wire Recommended for Electric Brake Assemblies
Question:
The reason that 10 Gauge # 10-1-1 or 12 Gauge # 12-1-1 wire is recommended for 10" brake assemblies, like part # AKEBRK-35-SA, is because they pull more power than the lights on your trailer. I believe the green wire you are referring to carries the right turn/stop lighting functions as you can see from the attached photo of a trailer side 4-Way. The 14 and 16 gauge wires are too small for the amount of power needing to get to the brake assemblies and they could potentially get too hot, fail, or catch fire. If you only have a 4-Way on your trailer then you also need to install a 7-Way like the part # A10-7W6 or the part # 277-000141 which comes with a junction box for better wire management. The brake signal for your trailer brakes should be coming from a brake controller like the Prodigy P3 # 90195 that is mounted inside your tow vehicle cab. This brake controller allows you to control the amount of brake power that is being output and has a manual override in the event that emergency stopping is needed. I am attaching a helpful article that gives you more info about trailer wiring that you can reference as well as a video of the junction box being installed that you can check out.
asked by: Ronald R
Expert Reply:
The reason that 10 Gauge # 10-1-1 or 12 Gauge # 12-1-1 wire is recommended for 10" brake assemblies, like part # AKEBRK-35-SA, is because they pull more power than the lights on your trailer. I believe the green wire you are referring to carries the right turn/stop lighting functions as you can see from the attached photo of a trailer side 4-Way. The 14 and 16 gauge wires are too small for the amount of power needing to get to the brake assemblies and they could potentially get too hot, fail, or catch fire.
If you only have a 4-Way on your trailer then you also need to install a 7-Way like the part # A10-7W6 or the part # HS381-9000 which comes with a junction box for better wire management. The brake signal for your trailer brakes should be coming from a brake controller like the Prodigy P3 # 90195 that is mounted inside your tow vehicle cab. This brake controller allows you to control the amount of brake power that is being output and has a manual override in the event that emergency stopping is needed.
I am attaching a helpful article that gives you more info about trailer wiring that you can reference as well as a video of the junction box being installed that you can check out.
Products Referenced in This Question
Tekonsha Prodigy P3 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
- LCD Display
- Up to 360 Degrees
- Tekonsha
more information >
Mighty Cord 7-Way RV-Style Trailer Connector w/ Molded Cable - Trailer End - 6' Long
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- No Converter
- 6 Feet Long
- Custom Fit
- 7 Round - Blade
- Mighty Cord
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Deka Heat Shrink Butt Connector - 16-14 Gauge - Nylon Insulation - Blue - Qty 5
- Wiring
- Wire Connectors
- Butt Connectors
- 16-14 Gauge
- Deka
more information >
Deka Heat Shrink Butt Connector - 12-10 Gauge - Nylon Insulation - Yellow - Qty 5
- Wiring
- Wire Connectors
- Butt Connectors
- 12-10 Gauge
- Deka
more information >
Wiring Kit for Hydrastar Electric Over Hydraulic Actuators
- Accessories and Parts
- Brake Actuator
- Disc Brakes
- Hydraulic Drum Brakes
- Wiring
- Hydrastar
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
etrailer Electric Trailer Brakes - Self-Adjusting - 10" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 3.5K
- Trailer Brakes
- Electric Drum Brakes
- Standard Grade
- Self Adjust
- 10 x 2-1/4 Inch Drum
- 3500 lbs Axle
- etrailer
more information >
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on Trailer Brakes
Ronald C.
4/15/2019
The reason that 10 Gauge # 10-1-1 or 12 Gauge # 12-1-1 wire is recommended for 10" brake assemblies, like part # AKEBRK-35-SA, is because they pull more power than the lights on your trailer. I believe the green wire you are referring to carries the right turn/stop lighting functions as you can see from the attached photo of a trailer side 4-Way. The 14 and 16 gauge wires are too small for the amount of power needing to get to the brake assemblies and they could potentially get too hot, fail, or catch fire. If you only have a 4-Way on your trailer then you also need to install a 7-Way like the part # A10-7W6 or the part # 277-000141 which comes with a junction box for better wire management. The brake signal for your trailer brakes should be coming from a brake controller like the Prodigy P3 # 90195 that is mounted inside your tow vehicle cab. This brake controller allows you to control the amount of brake power that is being output and has a manual override in the event that emergency stopping is needed. I am attaching a helpful article that gives you more info about trailer wiring that you can reference as well as a video of the junction box being installed that you can check out.