Know how to hard wire a brake controller?

[thumps19]

I have a 98 National Dolphn and need to install a brake control. I am having problems finding out what wires to use and where they are under the dash. Are these things hard to hook up? (been wiring stereos for 15+ years) Any help would be great. Thanks

[Gary RVRoamer]

A trailer brake controller (as opposed to a toad braking system)? What brand & model? They usually come with detailed instructions and if you don't have them, they are often available online.

Assuming it is a trailer electric brake controller: Basically there is a 12v power wire that should be direct wired to the battery through a circuit breaker and have a high amp rating, maybe 20A (depends on the trailer brake system). Another wire comes from the brake pedal to activate the controller for stopping. It is a merely a trip wire and does not carry high amperage. Additional wires may vary by make and model.

[DAN L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thumps19 I have a 98 National Dolphn and need to install a brake control. I am having problems finding out what wires to use and where they are under the dash. Are these things hard to hook up? (been wiring stereos for 15+ years) Any help would be great. Thanks

there are 2 types of brake controllers: inertial and time based. imho, inertial is better. they come with installation instructions. the most difficult part for me was to run the wire from the controller in front to the trailer in the rear and support it adequately. i used an unused pin it the 6 pin moho connector.

[thumps19]

I have not yet purchased the controller. The RV dealership near me has 2 different ones (1 is $60 1 is $80) I don't need a fancy one, just something to be able to use the trailer brakes. I've been told the wiring is hard to deal with in RV's. Is it easier to use a wiring harnes or just to hardwire from the contoller itself?

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV Roamer [Gary] A trailer brake controller (as opposed to a toad braking system)? What brand & model? They usually come with detailed instructions and if you don't have them, they are often available online. Assuming it is a trailer electric brake controller: Basically there is a 12v power wire that should be direct wired to the battery through a circuit breaker and have a high amp rating, maybe 20A (depends on the trailer brake system). Another wire comes from the brake pedal to activate the controller for stopping. It is a merely a trip wire and does not carry high amperage. Additional wires may vary by make and model.

[bldrbob]

The hardest part for me was getting a line from the brake lite.I tapped into the cyclops lite wire and ran two wires from the front to back hanging them with wireties.One wire sends the signal from the brake lite to the controller .The other sends the power to the brakes.
BOB