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Brake control problem, Help!

Old Aug 9, 2006 | 12:12 AM
  #1  
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partsman01
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From: Port Coquitlam, BC Canada
Angry Brake control problem, Help!

So last year I was able to buy an Activator brake controler for cheap through my work.

Now I am supposed to leave Saturday and I plug the fifth wheel in to the truck and I hear like a groan, then a circuit breaker starts cutting in then cooling then coming back on then cutting out again, it appears the brakes are being powered up, yet there is no red light on the controller till I push the pedal, this unit ran perfect last summer, now everything including the truck has sat since then.
Is there something I should be looking for?
To me it is getting power from somewhere and putting on I assume the brakes, as the noise appears to be the brakes.
I find it odd that now it would act up.
Any ideas?
 
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Old Aug 9, 2006 | 09:22 AM
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Steina
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Does it do this with the engine running or ignition turned off?

Steve
 
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Old Aug 9, 2006 | 11:42 AM
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Gene W
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From: Birmingham, AL
Is the break away switch plunger in place?

Remember to disconnect the trailer wiring from the truck or unplug the controller before testing the break away switch.

Gene
 
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Old Aug 9, 2006 | 12:16 PM
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Steina
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Gene -

Good catch! If the plunger is out the battery would be applying reverse voltage to the TV when the 5er is plugged in, maybe causing Partsman's problem (and a fried controller).

Steve
 
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Old Aug 9, 2006 | 12:24 PM
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Gene W
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From: Birmingham, AL
Simple fix...maybe. He may have some burned out wheel magnets, fried controller and a dead trailer battery too by now.

Maybe the breaker will protect everything, but the breaker itself should be replaced if it cycled on and off many times.

Gene
 
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Old Aug 9, 2006 | 07:09 PM
  #6  
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partsman01
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Well, I found the problem, at least it seems to be fine now.

I installed the wires wrong when I reinstalled the battery into the fifth wheel.
It seems unlike automotive the white is ground, which I did have on the negative terminal, But I only put one black wire on the positive terminal, but that one I could see was a red and the black section was a fuse holder they spliced in so that was good.

BUT, the other two black wires, I put on the negative terminals, and that is where I seem to have gone wrong, the black is hot on a Trailer.
OOps, how can you tell I am a first timer?
 
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Old Aug 9, 2006 | 08:53 PM
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Steina
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Glad to hear you got 'er figgered out. As Gene mentioned, you might want to seriously consider replacing that circuit breaker; lotsa cycles aren't good for it.

Steve
 
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