Will a Brake Controller Get Damaged if its Connected to a Trailer and the Breakaway Pin is Pulled

Question:

I need to purchase a time delay electric brake controller for use with a trailer that has the battery electric brake breakaway setup. I am wondering if any damage will result to the electric brake controller if the trailer remains connected to it but someone pulls the pin out on the electric breakaway switch. My electric breakaway setup does not have a built in battery charger. So when the break away switch pin is pulled the full output of the battery is applied to the blue wire which would apply power to the trailer brakes but also to the output of the brake controller. Also, I do not see in any of the information for the brake controllers what the idle/standby current consumption is. I will be using this on a vehicle that is seldom used and will be sitting for long periods. I need to know if it will be drawing current that could drain my battery. Thanks.

asked by: Chuck L

Helpful Expert Reply:

On most newer brake controllers there is a protection built into the controller that protects it from 12 volts being applied on the brake output circuit like what you would see if you were to pull the pin on a breakaway system. For example, the Prodigy P2 # 90885 or the P3 # 90195 would work fine if it was connected to your trailer and someone were to pull the pin of your trailer breakaway system.

When the brake controllers we carry sit for more than 10 minutes or so the controller goes into sleep mode and draws no current so it would not drain your vehicle battery.

expert reply by: Jameson C