What Size Fuse or Circuit Breaker Should be Used for Brake Controller on a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado

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Question:

Is there any reason a 30 amp fuse should not be installed in a 4 brake application that calls for a 20 amp fuse? I would think not... but I am not sure. Thanks.

asked by: Danny

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Expert Reply:

The reason you would not want to install a 30 amp fuse or circuit breaker in a 4 brake magnet application, when installing a Prodigy P2 brake controller, # 90885, is that the extra amperage required to break the circuit could cause an issue with the wiring on the trailer or vehicle because it would take longer for the circuit to spike to 30 amps. In applications with 6 to 8 brake magnets or more, more amperage is required to activate the brakes properly so the time for the amperage spike is shorter to break the circuit in a 30 amp circuit breaker or fuse, and does not present an issue.

For brake controllers we do not recommended that fuses be installed in place of circuit breakers. One reason for this is that an auto reset circuit breaker will reset if there is an intermittent short, once the short is no longer present on the circuit, and braking performance would be restored. With a fuse, once blown, braking performance is terminated until the fuse is physically replaced.

On your 2006 Silverado, the installation uses fuses under the hood, see brake controller installation article. For factory tow package wiring installations, fused circuits are typical. Chevrolet typically installs a 30 amp fuse at the power stud where the brake controller power wire is attached. Installing a 20 amp fuse in that location will protect your brake controller better as long as your trailers only have one or two brake axles.

expert reply by: Robert G

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Answer 1

That will depend on the amount of brake axles your trailer has. . The 20 amp breaker like #9506P is for 1 and 2 axle brakes, and the 30 amp like part #38630 is for 3 and 4 axle brakes

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Answer 2

Based on your manual indicating 7" brakes it is probably a 2,000 lb axle. That should be a 4-bolt brake flange on the axle as well. Try checking your axle tag to see if you can verify this. The capacity may be listed, or it can be found with the…

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Answer 3

Yes, you can use either piece of the Convert-A-Ball Dual-Cushioned, Adjustable Ball Mount, #CAB-UM, in the rise of drop position to find the configuration that is best for you. I have included a link to a video review of this ball mount for you.

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Answer 4

The Gen-Y Glyder Shock Absorbing Ball Mount for 2" Hitches - 6" Drop - 7K #325-GH-12005 that you referenced would be a great solution for your trailer. It's adjustable in drop so you'd be able to get it exactly where you need it and…

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Answer 5

The Bargman 7-Way, RV-Style Connector #WG54006-043 referenced in your question uses the standard RV-style pin locations for its 7-Way connector. I have attached a diagram of these locations and their functions for you to check out. Wire colors will…

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Answer 6

It is a very good idea to keep spare bearings and seals (and wheel bearing grease too) on hand for the unexpected roadside stop. We have individual bearing and seal parts like #L68149, #L44649 and #58846 as well as kits like #BK2-100 that combine…

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Answer 7

The entire process and required components for adding electric drum brakes to a trailer are outlined in the article that is linked at right. If the trailer has no brakes now you will need to add professionally installed brake mounting flanges (or to…

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Answer 8

The Prodigy P3 trailer brake controller uses a 4-wire hookup. The white wire is to be grounded to the battery negative terminal; the black power wire connects to the battery hot terminal through a circuit breaker; the red wire takes in the brake…

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Answer 9

I do have an option for you but the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver part #13390 on your 2015 Subaru Legacy already has the highest ground clearance (10-1/4") of any other trailer hitch receiver we have confirmed to fit your vehicle. This measurement…

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Answer 10

On the 2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited the brake switch wire should be a white wire with a brown stripe. Use a circuit tester such as #PTW2993 to test the wire to make sure it is the one that only has power when the brake pedal is pressed.

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Answer 11

If you are installing a 7-way and brake controller you will want to use a circuit breaker in-line when connecting the Black wire from the 7-way to the battery and in-line from the brake controller to the battery. The Black wire will draw 12 volt…

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Answer 12

We don't have a combo of the Curt Hitch Ball #C40008 and Curt Ball Mount #C45340. The ball mount is extremely heavy-duty, rated up to 17,000 pounds. I think it's safe to assume you don't have a torque wrench rated up to 450 foot pounds…

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What Size Fuse or Circuit Breaker Should be Used for Brake Controller on a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado

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