Is the Tekonsha PRIMUS IQ Brake Controller Circuit Protected for a 2001 Dodge Ram

Question:

Hello, Is this unit circuit protected? If not, what is the rated amperage? I would like to put an in line fuse. I have a trailer fuse that this goes through that is 40amp. Just recently I had re-wired my trailer and accendently hooked the trailer wire to ground and burnt my Voyager controller. Had I had better circuit protection this should have not happened. Also do you reccomend protection between the controller and trailer? If so witch wire? Or both?

asked by: JOE

Expert Reply:

Brake controllers, like the Tekonsha PRIMUS IQ Brake Controller part # TK90160, themselves are not circuit protected. They require properly rated circuit breakers along the 12 volt power feed from the vehicle battery.

This brake controller will require a 20 amp circuit breaker, # 9506P, between your brake controller and battery if your trailer has 2 or 4 brakes or a 30 amp circuit breaker, # 38630, if your trailer has more than 4 brakes.

If your 2001 Dodge Ram came with factory tow package wiring and a factory 7-way connector, then the power lead should already be circuit protected. You can use the Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter, # 3020-P, that will plug directly into the blue OEM plug under the steering wheel just to the right of the emergency brake pedal from the brake controller and, other than mounting the brake controller, that is all that is involved with the installation.

If your truck did not come with a factory 7-way and one was added later, then you will need a 40 amp circuit breaker, # 9510, on the 12 volt power circuit between the 7-way connector and the battery. There should also be either a 20 or 30 amp circuit breaker on the 12 volt power circuit between the battery and the brake controller.

I have attached a video of our technician installing a brake controller on a 2001 Dodge Ram that shows how the circuit breakers are attached to the power circuit. I have also attached a link to a help article about installing a brake controller on a Dodge Ram Truck that may be useful as well.