Trailer Brake Controller Issue - R-pod Owners Forum

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PodWa

Newbie

Joined: 11 Oct 2016
Location: Cheney, WA
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Posts: 36

Topic: Trailer Brake Controller Issue
Posted: 08 May 2018 at 12:29pm

Great idea, Mike!

mcarter

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 07 Apr 2016
Location: Greenbrier, TN
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Posts: 3419

Posted: 08 May 2018 at 4:23pm

Good, male spades. You said you have electric knowledge, so sure you understand.

Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

PodWa

Newbie

Joined: 11 Oct 2016
Location: Cheney, WA
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 36

Posted: 08 May 2018 at 4:27pm

Yep! Got it. The contacts inside the TT side plug are like clips that grasp the contacts inside the connector on the TV.

Pushing70

Newbie

Joined: 11 Apr 2018
Location: North Carolina
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5

Posted: 09 May 2018 at 10:29am

I understand brake controllers sense connection by resistance of the brake wire to ground in the range of 3 to 10 ohms. One may test the truck by clipping a resistor in that range between the brake contact on the connector and chassis ground. If controller is still showing no connection, then troubleshoot the truck wiring continuity from the connector brake wire to the controller.

You can test the trailer by checking the resistance between the brake contact on the trailer connector and chassis ground. If resistance is not in the range above, then troubleshoot the trailer wiring continuity from the connector to the brake coils.

Easy-Peazy! Big smile

73
Ely

PodWa

Newbie

Joined: 11 Oct 2016
Location: Cheney, WA
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 36

Posted: 09 May 2018 at 1:22pm

Thanks, 70. I figured that the brake controller must be looking for resistance or current draw, but didn't know what resistance or amperage the controller found satisfactory. Now I know it senses resistance of 3 to 10 ohms. I think that, with the bad connection on one backing plate, my brake controller was seeing a resistance through the other backing plate that was close to the minimum resistance the controller wanted to see. Therefore, I could get a connection sometimes (after numerous tries to hook up) when the brake controller was fooled into thinking all was OK. Good info.

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PodWa Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 11 Oct 2016 Location: Cheney, WA Online Status: Offline Posts: 36	Topic: Trailer Brake Controller Issue Posted: 08 May 2018 at 12:29pm
	Great idea, Mike!

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 08 May 2018 at 4:23pm
	Good, male spades. You said you have electric knowledge, so sure you understand.
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

PodWa Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 11 Oct 2016 Location: Cheney, WA Online Status: Offline Posts: 36	Posted: 08 May 2018 at 4:27pm
	Yep! Got it. The contacts inside the TT side plug are like clips that grasp the contacts inside the connector on the TV.

Pushing70 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 11 Apr 2018 Location: North Carolina Online Status: Offline Posts: 5	Posted: 09 May 2018 at 10:29am
	I understand brake controllers sense connection by resistance of the brake wire to ground in the range of 3 to 10 ohms. One may test the truck by clipping a resistor in that range between the brake contact on the connector and chassis ground. If controller is still showing no connection, then troubleshoot the truck wiring continuity from the connector brake wire to the controller. You can test the trailer by checking the resistance between the brake contact on the trailer connector and chassis ground. If resistance is not in the range above, then troubleshoot the trailer wiring continuity from the connector to the brake coils. Easy-Peazy!
	73 Ely

PodWa Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 11 Oct 2016 Location: Cheney, WA Online Status: Offline Posts: 36	Posted: 09 May 2018 at 1:22pm
	Thanks, 70. I figured that the brake controller must be looking for resistance or current draw, but didn't know what resistance or amperage the controller found satisfactory. Now I know it senses resistance of 3 to 10 ohms. I think that, with the bad connection on one backing plate, my brake controller was seeing a resistance through the other backing plate that was close to the minimum resistance the controller wanted to see. Therefore, I could get a connection sometimes (after numerous tries to hook up) when the brake controller was fooled into thinking all was OK. Good info.