Danzer CT Electric brakes

[jmayaa]

Not sure if this is the correct area for this, if not, I'm sorry.
I have a 2005 14' Danzer CT with electric brakes. Recently I have lost the use of them. The controller lights up when I plug in, but the trailer brakes won't activate. I've tried setting the dials and even tried the emergency slide switch on the controller. Sometimes when you push the brake pedal the controller light will go out and come back on after about 20 or so seconds.
I haven't tested the controller yet.
I had one local guy tell me it could be the battery under the trailer for the break away.
I thought I would start out by asking about the break away battery.
When tested it was carrying about 9 volts. I've got it on a small trickle charger.
Could the low voltage possibly be causing this problem?
Also, is this battery supposed to charge while driving?
Any help or suggestions sure would be appreciated as I'm not much of an electrician.
Thanks,
Jeff in Hagerstown

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

when was the last time you had your breaks serviced ?

[bdosborn]

I can think of some possibilities:

- Did the break away cable get pulled out? If so, the brakes will go to full engagement and will drain the battery. The electromagnets on the brakes will likely burn out as well.

- How old is your break away battery? It might be shot which would explain the 9V and not charging from the TV.

- What's the voltage at the battery when you're connected to the TV and the engine is running? Maybe your charge line isn't working.

Bruce

[Shadow Catcher]

Electric brakes are like the old style drum brakes and must be adjusted https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL-eLaB0opE
I agree with the other posts that you need to see if the magnets are functioning correctly though depending on the brake controller it will tell you if they are getting power. https://www.etrailer.com/faq-testing-tr ... nction.asp shows how to test the magnets.

Do the easy one first and adjust the star wheel and while it is up in the air (properly supported have some one step on the brakes with them connected and see if they work.

[hankaye]

jmayaa, Howdy;

The wire from the battery to the brakes may have a short or be broken.
Plug in to the tow vehicle and grab a compass (N,S,E, & W type), hold it
near a brake and have someone step on the brakes. If needle swings to the
brake it's getting power, if not, no power. repeat for the other side.
Work your way forward from there. Check wires and fuses and connections
for corrosion. If the battery doesn't take the charge get another.

hank

[eamarquardt]

One thing you might consider doing is putting an ammeter or volt meter in/on the lead from the controller to the brakes. Then you'll be able to see the output of the controller and verify that it's working OK.

Cheers,

Gus

[hankaye]

jmayaa, Howdy;

Here's a page from the Dexter axle website, I'm not affiliated with them except as an end user,
http://www.dexteraxle.com/literature1
There are a series of selection windows at the bottom right side. find your size brakes and I hope
it helps some. Don''t know if your brakes and axles are Dexter or Lippert or someone else's. There
is generally a tag lable or metal band with the info marked on it.

hank

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Jeff

You forgot to tell the experts if you have a single axel or double ?
Maybe post some pictures

[jmayaa]

Hey all,
Thanks for all the input.
The brakes were working when I parked it for the season.
Went to use it to move furniture for my son and everything appeared to be ok.
Light lit up on the controller, all lights worked. Only when I got it on the street to adjust the bias was I aware I had no trailer brakes.
When I looked at the controller I noticed the light had gone out. Pulled over and redid the TV to trailer connection. Light was back on, still no brakes, when I tried the slider to lock the brakes up the light went out and took 20 to 30 seconds to come back on.
I haven't had the time to run some tests yet. I hope to be able to check the wiring on the truck Sat.
I really don't think there is a problem with the trailer brakes.
I'm hoping its either a controller issue or I have a bad/loose wire somewhere. I have had issues in the past with the plug on the TV.
I bought the truck used with the plug already ran. Whoever did the install didn't do the greatest. Didn't allow any slack and had one or two wires pull out of the holder.
My other concern or question was the battery under the trailer for the break away system.
Is this battery charged while you drive and if the voltage is low or the battery is shot would this have any effect on normal braking?
Oh, it is a two axle trailer, but I can't remember at the moment if I ordered it with brakes on one axle or both. I will know Sat. when I get to checking things out.
Thanks again for the suggestions.
Jeff in Hagerstown

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Hey all,
Thanks for all the input.
I will know Sat. when I get to checking things out.
Thanks again for the suggestions.
Jeff in Hagerstown

Jeff your keeping us on pins and needles bro ?

[jmayaa]

Hang in there guys.
Had a few other issues come up the last week or so.
The trailer is at the bottom of the list at the moment.
I'll post as soon as I figure it out.
Thanks to all who have chimed in with advice and what to look for.
Jeff