Installing 7-Way 12V Wire on 1999 Chevy Suburban

Question:

Chris, Thanks for answering part of my question. I see that I will need the 20 amp breaker for this install for the wire that leads back to the brake controller that is mounted in the cab of the suburban. I only need the 20 amp because I only have a single axle trailer. Got that part down. But, in the video the pre existing orange wire that is the 12 v hot that is factory on the suburban , the wire that is stored under the brake booster. This wire you say needs the 40 amp breaker if it is to be wired directly back to the suburbans battery. Correct! But, In the video this orange wire just gets a ring connector added to it and it is mounted directly to the post of the suburbans engine compartment fuse box post that is in the engine bay next to the firewall. No 40 amp breaker is added in line to this fuse box post in the video. All the power that is needed in this video install is being tapped off this fuse box. So, is the 40 amp breaker not needed if you draw your power from this fuse box instead of directly from the battery of the suburban? The universal instructions show all power being tapped from vehicles battery. The 99 suburban install video shows all power being tapped off engine compartment fuse box posts.

asked by: Christopher M

Expert Reply:

On your 1999 Chevy Suburban the factory orange (12V power wire) that you mentioned is already fused, which is why the 40 amp breaker included with the Wiring Kit # ETBC7 isn't added during our installation video. I verified this by looking at the online version of the owner's manual for the Suburban under the factory trailer wiring section.

Since this wire is already fused at the factory an additional breaker isn't needed when running it to the power source under the hood.

expert reply by: Chris R