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CoachC · 03-16-2016, 08:04 PM

I am planning an install of a brake controller in our 05' Kountry Star. Looks fairly straight forward but still have a question.
Depending on the controller it looks like the power side needs 20-30 amp breaker in the line.
If anyone has done a similar install can they tell me where they tied into the hot 12V line and where did you place a breaker or fuse? Perhaps there are some unused lines/fuse slots that can be used.
Thanks for any suggestions.

CJ7365 · 03-16-2016, 08:14 PM

On my old RV 95 Winnebago, I used the chassis battey as my power source, I ran 10 gauge from the controller to the house/chassis battery box (under the stairs) along the frame rail, I mounted the circuit breaker on the inside wall in the battery box.

My chassis battery was also located with the house batteries under the step

If your coach battery is in the front engine compartment you could get power there

I also had to run the brake power wire to the rear as my RV did not have the 7 pin connector in the back.

Are you sure your coach is not prewired for a controller???

CoachC · 03-16-2016, 08:29 PM

Thanks CJ7365
I have a 7 pin connector and on a brief search it appears there is trailer related wiring under the dash. No controller. PO was flat towing I believe so coach appears to be wired for that.

CJ7365 · 03-16-2016, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoachC

Thanks CJ7365
I have a 7 pin connector and on a brief search it appears there is trailer related wiring under the dash. No controller. PO was flat towing I believe so coach appears to be wired for that.

Great news, should be easy peasy to hook up your controller then

l1v3fr33ord1 · 03-16-2016, 08:50 PM

CoachC-

I found this link to a wiring diagram for a 2005 Kountry Star:

http://www.spartanchassis.com/cps/lo...8514623750.pdf

on this iRV2 thread:

Newmar Spartan 2005 MA Electrical guide

Sheet 94 of the diagram shows the brake controller ("TRAILER BRAKE") wiring.

B Dubya · 03-16-2016, 09:03 PM

See if Etrailer has a video,,,they have lots!!!!! I ran it through the firewall and directly to my chassis battery. If you want you could tie into your fuse panel if it's close. But I put the breaker on the frame rail near the battery, and a second one heading to the rear (as suggested in the instructions). I had to run 2 wires back. Wear safety glasses or even goggles while underneath there. Lots of crud falls all over you.

CoachC · 03-16-2016, 09:41 PM

Thanks Mark,
I do have the Spartan chassis wiring diagram but did not have the MM chassis version. I'm not the best at reading schematics but it helps. Now if only it showed pictures of the installation...

CoachC · 03-20-2016, 12:40 PM

Well I found Item# 48 (connector, page 58) of the schematic behind the instrument panel so I think that solves my brake pressure switch and trailer brake connections for the controller.

Probably connect to battery post and ground in front PDC once I figure the best way to run wires.
Probably wait for better weather after I remove storage cover.
thanks for all the help!

Rick

l1v3fr33ord1 · 03-20-2016, 01:44 PM

Hey CoachC-

Great to know you found the connector!

As you can tell by this (rare) thread I started last September, I have an inordinate interest in the two "TOW VEH PWR" wires in connector 48. That's because another KS owner asked "How do I get 12V power to the pin on the trailer hitch?" (pin E on the "TOW PLUG" is apparently unwired as it comes from Spartan/Newmar)

Do pins 1 and 3 have 12V on them? Can you tell where they go next, after the connector? Do they reach the battery, or pass through any fuses?

You may be able to solve a cold case! ;-)

CoachC · 03-20-2016, 03:12 PM

Hi Mark,
Looks like power would need to come from a source connected to connector 48. No fuses for that (SP090A/B) circuit in front PDC/fuse panel.
Circuit appears to terminate with open wires somewhere in the rear, probably close to trailer connector. Too wet and cold to look now for me. Maybe 2-3 weeks I can uncover the coach and do some investigating.
Wish I could give more info. If I learn anything new as I make my slow progress I'll pass it along.

Cheers

Rick

l1v3fr33ord1 · 03-20-2016, 03:48 PM

Rick-

Thanks for the reply. The drawing shows the wiring ends with two blunt-cut wires at the rear of the coach, near the 7-pin connector. I assumed the intent was to allow one to connect one or both of those wires to the E pin on that connector. The mystery is what feeds pins 1 and 3 on connector 48. It seems kinda odd to provide two wires for "TOW VEH PWR" and then not give them anything into which to be plugged into ahead of connector 48.

Obviously no rush if you don't already know this, but are there wires in pins 1 and 3 locations of the part that mates to connector 48? Or, are they empty positions? Does connector 48 plug into another connector (half), or some circuit board (I'm familiar with the latter, used in our HR).

Again, thanks for the info. I hope it dries out your way, and turns warm, soon!

CoachC · 03-20-2016, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by l1v3fr33ord1

Rick-

Thanks for the reply. The drawing shows the wiring ends with two blunt-cut wires at the rear of the coach, near the 7-pin connector. I assumed the intent was to allow one to connect one or both of those wires to the E pin on that connector. The mystery is what feeds pins 1 and 3 on connector 48. It seems kinda odd to provide two wires for "TOW VEH PWR" and then not give them anything into which to be plugged into ahead of connector 48.

Obviously no rush if you don't already know this, but are there wires in pins 1 and 3 locations of the part that mates to connector 48? Or, are they empty positions? Does connector 48 plug into another connector (half), or some circuit board (I'm familiar with the latter, used in our HR).

Again, thanks for the info. I hope it dries out your way, and turns warm, soon!

The only empty position on the connector is the #6 position. This is my 1st motorhome and I have never flat towed. I assumed the other half of the plug would be from a flat tow system. There is only the 1/2 of the connector. The power source I expect would be through something like a brake controller but perhaps could be for a circuit board.
I am assuming I will tie in the controller only to the #4 & 5 positions on the connector and pull Pos & Neg to power controller from a different source. Most likely directly from source in front PDC bay.

Best regards,

Rick

TinMan Trvlr · 03-23-2016, 10:31 AM

As others have said, there should be trailer brake wires identified under the dash on your coach. Once you get the various wires identified you will be able to choose your controller type and make. We went with the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 because it allows us to move the radio frequency controller between several vehicles if we just install the relatively inexpensive quick release plug wiring in the under dash trailer power circuit on each vehicle. This saves the expense of having to have an expensive controller mounted in each vehicle we want to tow the trailer with. We only need the electric trailer brakes when we tow a car trailer or boat trailer behind the Dutch Star since we use the air brake powered Air Force One system for our "towed" Jeep.
Best wishes for a successful installation.