Breakaway Switch Diagram for Installation on a Dump Trailer with Trailer Mounted 12 volt Battery
Question:
I have a loudo dump trailer that has a battery in it. There are 4 wheels and electric brakes. The black wire from the harness connects to electric brake on the truck goes to one wire on each of the four brakes. The red wire goes to the other wire on the electric brakes. The red wire connects to the vehicles + power. Off of this wire there is a splice that goes to a breakaway switch out of this switch goes to the + power on the onboard trailer battery. The brakes do not work. Before I do it can you tell me if im doing this correctly. Take the black wire and splice it into the breakaway switch and then to the + power on the trailer while keeping it connected to the brake lead on my truck . Take the red wire and connect it to the - on my truck. I will then take a new wire from the + on the truck and run it straight to the battery to charge it. Hope you can help me. I am not familiar with trailer electric brakes and from what I gathered from your video and diagrams there should be no reason why the trailer is wired the way it is. I want to be 100 sure so that I do not damage the magnets. Also, the + lead out of the 7 point connect has never been on a vehicle that supplied power so there is no way that the magnets got 2 different positive volts at the same time. I did verify that my 7 pin connector is working correctly.
asked by: Nicholas G
Expert Reply:
I attached a diagram showing how a breakaway switch, like part # 420000, would be wired to a trailer mounted battery like the one on your Loudo dump trailer.
With this type of setup you would not want to pull the breakaway switch with the trailer connected to the vehicle, to avoid a short circuit situation which could damage your brake controller. When testing the breakaway switch just be sure to disconnect the trailer connector from the truck, as it would be in a breakaway situation.
The wiring you mentioned sounds like the magnets on your trailer are connected to the brake controller output circuit and the 12 volt power circuit on the trailer. This situation is incorrect and if you ever attached the trailer to a vehicle with power on the 12 volt circuit at the 7-Way you would have a short circuit situation as you have noted. Each brake magnet should have one wire grounded and one wire connected to the brake controller output as seen in the diagram. Brake magnets are not polarity sensitive so it does not matter which wire you ground and which wire you connect to the brake controller output circuit.
If you follow the diagrams for a 7-Way connector on our wiring page, see link, and make sure your vehicle is wired the same way, you should be able to get things wired up. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Replacement Tekonsha Trailer Breakaway Switch
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Breakaway Kit
- Switches
- Tekonsha
more information >
Featured Help Information
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Shop: Hydrastar Disc Brake Kit w/ Actuator for Tandem Axle Trailers - 13" Hub/Rotor - 8 on 6-1/2 - 7K
- Shop: Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly - 7K lb E-Z Lube Axle - 12" - 8 on 6-1/2 - 1/2" Studs
- Q&A: Trailer Wiring Diagram for a 7-Way Trailer Side Connector
- Shop: Trailer Axle w/ Electric Brakes - 4" Drop - 8 on 6-1/2 Bolt Pattern - 94" Long - 7,000 lbs
- Shop: Trailer Axle w/ Electric Brakes - Easy Grease - 8 on 6-1/2 Bolt Pattern - 95" Long - 7,000 lbs
- Shop: Karrier ST235/80R16 Radial Trailer Tire with 16" Aluminum Wheel - 8 on 6-1/2 - Load Range E
- Shop: Karrier ST235/85R16 Radial Trailer Tire w/ 16" White Wheel - 8 on 6-1/2 - Load Range F
- Shop: Easy Grease Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly for 5.2K & 6K Axles - 12" - 6 on 5-1/2 - Pre-Greased
- Video: Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly Installation 42866UC3-EZ
- Video: Review of Dexter Axle Trailer Brakes - 12 inch Electric Drum Brake Kit - 23-105-106
- Video: Kodiak Hydraulic Brake Hose Review and Installation
- Q&A: Do I Need a New Breakaway Switch and a Separate Battery Pack for my Brake Controller?
- Q&A: Can HydraStar Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator for Disc Brakes be Used For Extended Time
- Q&A: What Type of Brake Fluid Should be Used with Hydrastar Electric Over Hydraulic Brake Actuator
- Q&A: How To Install HBA-CAM Hydrastar Adapter
- Q&A: Disc Brake Kit and Actuator for Grand Design with Dexter 5,100 lb Axles
- Q&A: Using HydraStar HydraStar Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator HBA-16 During Prolonged Stops
- Video: Kodiak Trailer Brakes - Disc Brakes - K2HR35D Review
- Video: Full Disc Brake Conversion Installation - 2020 Jayco Pinnacle Fifth Wheel
- Search Results: propane hose
- Video: HydraStar Disc Brake Kit with Actuator Installation - 2017 Grand Design Solitude 5W Toy Hauler
- Article: Breakaway Kit Installation for Single and Dual Brake Axle Trailers
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Article: Wiring Trailer Lights with a 7-Way Plug (It's Easier Than You Think)
- Search Results: rv door latch
- Search Results: break away switch wiring
- Search Results: trailer brakes
- Video: Review of Steele Rubber Trailer Door Parts - Seals - SR32FR
- Search Results: weather strip
on Accessories and Parts
