Controller wiring questions
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2007
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Controller wiring questions
[1993 E250 5.8L and dual axle/single brakes car trailer]
Hello, I have some questions for the experts,
my friend gave me a Hayes 'time delay' brake controller. I installed it according to the instructions.
They specify that the black wire (+12V power) should be wired to the positive terminal of the battery via a resetable breaker. That's what I did but with that setup, the controller is always powered, and if my trailer is connected, the controller always shows a 'P' on the display to show in which mode it is set. So, I have the display active for 3 full days when I go to events.
Is this the way most people wire their controllers or a relay activated by the ignition needs to be inserted on the 12V wire?
My other question is about the 12V going to the trailer. I checked the trailer wiring just to make sure everything was ok and found that there is no 12V wire going from the plug to the battery.
The battery is not charged by the tow vehicle. That surprises me since it's a Parker trailer that came from factory with electric brakes and a battery. The positive wire from the battery only goes to the breakaway switch, then to the brake wire.
I do have a 12V wire on the truck's plug.
Do I only need to pass a wire from the trailer plug to the battery + wire? Or isolating diodes are required??
Thanks.
Hello, I have some questions for the experts,
my friend gave me a Hayes 'time delay' brake controller. I installed it according to the instructions.
They specify that the black wire (+12V power) should be wired to the positive terminal of the battery via a resetable breaker. That's what I did but with that setup, the controller is always powered, and if my trailer is connected, the controller always shows a 'P' on the display to show in which mode it is set. So, I have the display active for 3 full days when I go to events.
Is this the way most people wire their controllers or a relay activated by the ignition needs to be inserted on the 12V wire?
My other question is about the 12V going to the trailer. I checked the trailer wiring just to make sure everything was ok and found that there is no 12V wire going from the plug to the battery.
The battery is not charged by the tow vehicle. That surprises me since it's a Parker trailer that came from factory with electric brakes and a battery. The positive wire from the battery only goes to the breakaway switch, then to the brake wire.
I do have a 12V wire on the truck's plug.
Do I only need to pass a wire from the trailer plug to the battery + wire? Or isolating diodes are required??
Thanks.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
Most controllers are wired for a key on operation. It probably won't drain your battery down, but it's worth looking in to.
If you're referring to the battery for the break away, no it is not typically charged from the wiring. They're made to be replaced when the battery goes dead. Since there's not a constant draw on the battery there is no reason to continuously charge it
If you're referring to the battery for the break away, no it is not typically charged from the wiring. They're made to be replaced when the battery goes dead. Since there's not a constant draw on the battery there is no reason to continuously charge it
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,191
Likes: 4
From: Blairsville,Ga
the breakaway batteries on all my trailers are charged from the truck
