Re: trailer break away system Q
[Re: Wirenut]
#3172414
09/02/23 05:25 PM
09/02/23 05:25 PM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,696 Bitopia
jcc
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
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If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,696
Bitopia
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Hi All, Any reason why I cant use a full size car battery to power the breakaway switch? Right now I have a full size battery on boar that is independent of the tow trucks electrical system. The battery just powers a radio and some lights on the trailer . The little breakaway system battery crapped out and I would like to eliminate it . Thanks for looking Only issue I see, is a small partly charged breakaway sized battery if seeing a system short for some reason, will likely drain itself rather quick, vs an unfused fully charged full size car battery might burn the trailer and its cargo down promptly. I don't know the current needed for brakes in a breakaway situation, but a large fuse, 30-50A? would give you some peace of mind I would think.
Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
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Re: trailer break away system Q
[Re: J_BODY]
#3172424
09/02/23 06:25 PM
09/02/23 06:25 PM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,696 Bitopia
jcc
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
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If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,696
Bitopia
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You know I was addressing an unfused short, right?
Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
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Re: trailer break away system Q
[Re: jcc]
#3172459
09/02/23 09:29 PM
09/02/23 09:29 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 13,198 aZLiViN
J_BODY
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 13,198
aZLiViN
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You know I was addressing an unfused short, right? Yes…. and this conversation peaked my curiosity and it appears you’ll find on most rv’s, toy haulers that utilize their larger battery as a source for the “break away” switch that circuit is not fused. I read some discussion on a 40amp self resetting breaker being installed on that circuit. …..now thinking how most RV, toy hauler, race trailers are wired that’s kind of scary.
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Re: trailer break away system Q
[Re: dvw]
#3172463
09/02/23 09:57 PM
09/02/23 09:57 PM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,696 Bitopia
jcc
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
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If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,696
Bitopia
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Yes, I agree, but one aspect here stands out to me, The OP has a dead backup battery and has not yet IMO confirmed why it's dead, and there are a number of benign reasons it is, but if a short is involved, installing a battery with 10? times the capacity, even if the same voltage with no current limiting could be a recipe for disaster.
Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
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Re: trailer break away system Q
[Re: J_BODY]
#3172465
09/02/23 09:59 PM
09/02/23 09:59 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 715 Central TEXAS!!!!
sr4440
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 715
Central TEXAS!!!!
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On my 7k axles, they draw 6 amps per axle, So stick a 30 amp fuse in it and send it.
Joe
Without Data, you’re just another guy with an opinion.
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Re: trailer break away system Q
[Re: jcc]
#3172515
09/03/23 09:26 AM
09/03/23 09:26 AM
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 630 Ct
Wirenut
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 630
Ct
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Hi All, Any reason why I cant use a full size car battery to power the breakaway switch? Right now I have a full size battery on boar that is independent of the tow trucks electrical system. The battery just powers a radio and some lights on the trailer . The little breakaway system battery crapped out and I would like to eliminate it . Thanks for looking Only issue I see, is a small partly charged breakaway sized battery if seeing a system short for some reason, will likely drain itself rather quick, vs an unfused fully charged full size car battery might burn the trailer and its cargo down promptly. I don't know the current needed for brakes in a breakaway situation, but a large fuse, 30-50A? would give you some peace of mind I would think. This is actually what I was wondering. Do they use the small battery so that the available current is very small as opposed to a larger battery. In the case of a short in the wiring between the battery and plunger switch the wiring is so short and small I sure it would simply burn off and it all outdoors. When you apply your trailer brakes do they see a full 12 volts? Or would a full 12 volts damage the system? I think I should check that . Thanks for all the replies.
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Re: trailer break away system Q
[Re: jcc]
#3172516
09/03/23 09:26 AM
09/03/23 09:26 AM
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,847 MI, usa
dvw
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,847
MI, usa
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Yes, I agree, but one aspect here stands out to me, The OP has a dead backup battery and has not yet IMO confirmed why it's dead, and there are a number of benign reasons it is, but if a short is involved, installing a battery with 10? times the capacity, even if the same voltage with no current limiting could be a recipe for disaster. The brakes are connected to the tow vehicles battery as well. So where ould there be a difference? Doug
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Re: trailer break away system Q
[Re: sr4440]
#3172517
09/03/23 09:27 AM
09/03/23 09:27 AM
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 630 Ct
Wirenut
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 630
Ct
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On my 7k axles, they draw 6 amps per axle, So stick a 30 amp fuse in it and send it.
Joe Do you know if they see a full 12v or does the brake switch limit voltage?
Last edited by Wirenut; 09/03/23 09:28 AM.
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Re: trailer break away system Q
[Re: jcc]
#3172518
09/03/23 09:29 AM
09/03/23 09:29 AM
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 630 Ct
Wirenut
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 630
Ct
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Yes, I agree, but one aspect here stands out to me, The OP has a dead backup battery and has not yet IMO confirmed why it's dead, and there are a number of benign reasons it is, but if a short is involved, installing a battery with 10? times the capacity, even if the same voltage with no current limiting could be a recipe for disaster. Small battery is just old .
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Re: trailer break away system Q
[Re: Wirenut]
#3172521
09/03/23 09:54 AM
09/03/23 09:54 AM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 715 Central TEXAS!!!!
sr4440
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 715
Central TEXAS!!!!
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On my 7k axles, they draw 6 amps per axle, So stick a 30 amp fuse in it and send it.
Joe Do you know if they see a full 12v or does the brake switch limit voltage? My brake controller shows it ramping up proportional to the force required. For emergency braking, it is directly connected to the battery, the full 12 (13.2) volts. My trailer has living quarters and a generator, and i wanted to hook to the large battery, so I ask the inspector about the battery, he said "as long as the battery is independent of the towing vehicle" and able to fully apply the brakes if disconnected from the tow vehicle. Joe
Last edited by sr4440; 09/03/23 09:59 AM.
Without Data, you’re just another guy with an opinion.
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Re: trailer break away system Q
[Re: Wirenut]
#3172523
09/03/23 09:58 AM
09/03/23 09:58 AM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,081 Michigan
A727Tflite
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,081
Michigan
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On my 7k axles, they draw 6 amps per axle, So stick a 30 amp fuse in it and send it.
Joe Do you know if they see a full 12v or does the brake switch limit voltage? The controller varies the voltage based on need, more voltage, more stopping power. I think most controllers have a variable setting that adjusts trailer brake application based on pedal application.
Last edited by A727Tflite; 09/03/23 10:00 AM.
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Re: trailer break away system Q
[Re: Wirenut]
#3172525
09/03/23 10:03 AM
09/03/23 10:03 AM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 11,684 W. Kentucky
justinp61
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 11,684
W. Kentucky
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On my 7k axles, they draw 6 amps per axle, So stick a 30 amp fuse in it and send it.
Joe Do you know if they see a full 12v or does the brake switch limit voltage? I'm going to say no, at least most of the time, if you set the gain to max it may. My understanding is that electronic controllers are essentially a rheostat, more gain = more voltage to the brakes, which equals more braking. Years ago, my brother had a hydraulic/electric controller, the more you pressed the brake pedal the more brake the controller applied to the trailer, it worked very well.
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