Anyone fitted a break away controller?
Submitted by pelagicyachts on Thu, 2016-07-14 16:16
just wondering if there are any tips/traps in fitting a tekonsha break away unit? (going in a 200 series). To be honest I would rather get someone to do it but the 2 guys close to me that I have rung want a lot of money for a few hours work. (I have no objection paying someone I just don't like getting ripped)
cheers
Stevo81
Posts: 1278
Date Joined: 16/04/12
Are you a member on LCOOL?
Are you a member on LCOOL? Plenty of quality info about fitting them on the 200 series forum, most with photos etc. Most common mistakes are picking up the brake signal from the wrong place and depending on your system manufacturer, not running a big enough cable to the actuator/pump. Some draw up to 30amps. Also use a 12pin (24amps) trailer plug and not the 7pin (15amps). They seem to last heaps longer as well.
The Redard TowPro is probably the best controller on the market IMO...
Heres the wiring diagram for my brake actuator which explains it pretty well
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pelagicyachts
Posts: 1299
Date Joined: 23/02/11
hey Steve thanks I am - I
hey Steve
thanks I am - I will check it our cheers. I like the look of the tow pro as there is not a lot of room around the knees in the 200s to fit a unit.
Prego
Posts: 135
Date Joined: 03/06/09
PM sent
pm sent
Rob H
Posts: 5745
Date Joined: 18/01/12
Are you talking about a brake
Are you talking about a brake controller or breakaway unit?
Breakaway has nothing to do with the car at all, specifically its to operate WITHOUT the car.
I fitted a P3 in my 200 series.
There is a couple of things to remember
1/ Dont pick up the brake signal at the stop lamp, your cruise control and trailer brake lights wont activate if you use the brake manual control.
2/ Must have auto reset breakers at the battery for both controller and power feed to EOH unit.
Drop me a PM with a number if you want, can run you through it.
I tried Toyota and a couple of local auto sparkies and it was f-ing hopeless.
Sparky quoted $600 or so, Toyota rang back and quoted $1200, I asked them what sort of controller "umm not sure">
I found they rang the same sparky and doubled it
Autoelecau on Ebay has all the bits you need especially the correct cable all in one for power/signal
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
pelagicyachts
Posts: 1299
Date Joined: 23/02/11
thanks Rob - my trailer has a
thanks Rob - my trailer has a hydrastar (carlisle) hba 12 - have a Tekonsha unit in my troopy but want to fit a unit to the 200s. I had a look at the troopy and yeah the brake signal is taken off the brake pedal sensor - and yes my local sparky quoted me 110 p/h + gst + materials and said ~5 hours....
Rob H
Posts: 5745
Date Joined: 18/01/12
If you have a little
If you have a little knowledge it's not hard.
I didn't cut any brake wires, there's another way.
Get all the gear together and it'll take most of a day to fit a P3 but can be done
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Stevo81
Posts: 1278
Date Joined: 16/04/12
I know ARB will supply and
I know ARB will supply and install the Redarc TowPro on the 200 series for $610
•••••••• Electrical Contractor NOR ••••••••
Rob H
Posts: 5745
Date Joined: 18/01/12
with any installation like
with any installation like this you MUST ask if it covers the 30-50 amp outlet at the rear for your EOH unit.
A standard caravan electric brakes doesnt need this and will add a fair bit to it.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Stevo81
Posts: 1278
Date Joined: 16/04/12
"quote"
That was quoted by ARB Wangara today to supply & install the Redarc TowPro to suit the Titan EOH system as in my post up top. Most of these quality actuators require high current so small cables and shit plugs will work but no where near the level they could/should.
•••••••• Electrical Contractor NOR ••••••••
Rob H
Posts: 5745
Date Joined: 18/01/12
Best system Ive seen is the
Best system Ive seen is the Brake Commander,
Nothing to install in car, uses a capacitor not a battery and is about $1300 for everything
https://brakecommander.com/
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Sulo
Posts: 256
Date Joined: 13/08/11
x2 for break commander. have
x2 for break commander. have run a few other units and this one is the best by far. No need for an in car controller to be fitted as it uses a remote which you can take from car to car if need be.
Support is also fantastic, just drop them an e mail and they will give you a call to sort out your question, free software updates as they become available. (unfortunately you have to send the whole unit back to them)
Rob H
Posts: 5745
Date Joined: 18/01/12
Made in oz also, with the
Made in oz also, with the brake master cylinder an ordinary off the shelf 15/16" trailer one.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
pelagicyachts
Posts: 1299
Date Joined: 23/02/11
looks great - but for me -
looks great - but for me - already have the Hydrastar fitted and if I fit the EBC myself am looking at closer to 200 all in
Given the cost saving measures I recently implemented on the household balance sheet I need to be seen as leading by example!
:-)
Doc
Posts: 691
Date Joined: 29/05/16
+1 for the brake commander,
+1 for the brake commander, we have that on our trailer. Never had an issue with it.