Break away switch question

[dh]

Do I have to get an entire breakaway unit, or can I just use a switch, which puts current from the TD battery to the brakes?

[Dale M.]

As long as TD battery has a charge there is probably no reason to have a separate "brake" battery...... Just put a fuse in line ...

I still think I would use dedicated battery, but that is just me....

I think DOT rules say battery only has to hold trailer for 15 minutes.....

I also have to wonder how many people religiously connect break away and do not have a clue if the battery is charged or not.....

Dale

[dh]

As long as TD battery has a charge there is probably no reason to have a separate "brake" battery...... Just put a fuse in line ...

I still think I would use dedicated battery, but that is just me....

I think DOT rules say battery only has to hold trailer for 15 minutes.....

I also have to wonder how many people religiously connect break away and do not have a clue if the battery is charged or not.....

Dale

So the breakaway unit just gives "straight" power to the brakes, doesn't "ramp up" like the TV controller?

[danlott]

You can use the battery in your teardrop for the breakaway switch. Here is how I plan to wire mine. It is largly based on the Airstream Basecamp trailer wiring diagram.



Dan

[Ward]

Please keep in mind that the most common used color for the running lights is brown, left turn green and right turn yellow the brake lights use the same wire as the turn.

Most teardrops will not have electric brakes but if they do then a seperate break-away box would be idea because it would be its own system not taking a chance of a blown fuse from a failed circuit somewhere in the unit.

Hope I didn't ruffle any feathers just trying to help.

Regards

[asianflava]

I also have to wonder how many people religiously connect break away and do not have a clue if the battery is charged or not.....

Bought a brand new car hauler for our move from GA to CO. I noticed that even after being hooked up to the TV for 3 days, the recharge light on the breakaway box was still lit. I haven't checked it, but I'll bet that that brand new battery is bad.

[Ward]

Asianflava, I am not sure that I know of any break away box that is charged by the TV, the box generally contains a 6 volt battery and the only time it would be discharged is if the breakaway pin is removed alowing the circuit to be completed.

Check the pin and switch they could be causing a drain in your battery.

Also unless you are using something larger than a 5pin the TV may not be wired to charge anything.

Regards

[dh]

Please keep in mind that the most common used color for the running lights is brown, left turn green and right turn yellow the brake lights use the same wire as the turn.

Most teardrops will not have electric brakes but if they do then a seperate break-away box would be idea because it would be its own system not taking a chance of a blown fuse from a failed circuit somewhere in the unit.

Hope I didn't ruffle any feathers just trying to help.

Regards

Looks like he used the colors for a 7 pin connector (Same as what I'm using)

I would run a dedicated wire to the positive battery terminal for the breakaway switch, with a dedicated fuse. It just seams like a lot of added crap on the tongue (not to mention expense), I was just wondering if you HAVE to have a $60 controller, instead of a $10 switch.

[Dale M.]

Asianflava, I am not sure that I know of any break away box that is charged by the TV, the box generally contains a 6 volt battery and the only time it would be discharged is if the breakaway pin is removed alowing the circuit to be completed.

Check the pin and switch they could be causing a drain in your battery.

Also unless you are using something larger than a 5pin the TV may not be wired to charge anything.

Regards

Most system can be charged by the TV as long as "provisions" are made to get 12 volts back to battery on trailer (typically 7 pin connector - pin 4) ... Note the 12 Volts.....

Don't know of any modern electrical trailer brake systems that operate on 6 volts....

Dale