Connect the wires as follows:
- The WHITE wire will connect to the "WHITE" terminal (along with the brake wire) for a ground.
- Connect the Yellow wire (the left stop light) to the "RED" terminal
- Connect the Brown wire (marker lamps) to the "GREEN" terminal on the plug
- Connect the Green wire (Right stop light) to the "BROWN" terminal.
Full Answer
How do you hook up electric brakes to a trailer?
Blue wire in the 7-pin trailer plug connects with the electric brakes with the output of the brake controller in a towing vehicle. White wire provides ground for completion of the circuit. Install all the cables of appropriate gauge, tucked with trailer frame in protective covering to ensure the proper functioning of electric brakes.
How do I install an electric brake controller with elecbrakes?
Here’s how easy it is to install an electric brake controller with Elecbrakes 1 Mount the electric brake controller onto the trailer draw bar. 2 Plug the electric brake controller into the trailer cable and the tow car socket. 3 Connect the electric brake controller using the free Elecbrakes smartphone app.
Can you wire electric brakes on their side?
Our particular concern is for wiring electric brakes on its side with a 7-pin plug. Specific colored wire dedicated for the purpose is the blue one in both standards. You will find the blue-colored wire connected with the brake controller power output on the vehicle side.
What gauge wire should I use for electric brake installation?
I recommend using 12-gauge wire, # 12-1-1, for the jumper wire and for additional ground wire. If you want to use duplex wire, you can use part # 10-2-1. I have attached an electric brake installation video for you to check out. The trailer in the video is a single axle trailer, but it will give you an idea on the installation process.
How are electric brakes connected?
When the towing vehicle's stop lights are activated, power feeds into the electric brake controller. A heavy duty circuit fed through the trailers connecting plug and socket then triggers the trailers brakes. This allows the trailer brakes to come on automatically when the vehicle's brakes are applied.
How do you hook up an electric brake controller?
Just 5 Steps to Install Brake Controller and Wiring!Disconnect the vehicle's negative battery cable.Determine where to mount the controller on the dash.Drill mounting holes for the bracket.Fasten the brake controller into place.Plug in the brake controller with a custom wiring harness.
Does it matter how you wire electric brakes?
No, it does not matter which wire you use for the ground and which is used for power when wiring electric brakes.
How many wires do I need for electric brakes?
Each of your new brakes will have two wires for the brake magnet. One wire is for 12 volt power to the brake magnets and the other wire should be grounded either to the trailer frame or to the main trailer ground wire. It does not matter which wire is used for power or ground because they are not polarized.
Are electric brakes easy to install?
Elecbrakes makes it easy to install an electric brake controller. All you need is your electric brake controller kit, an electric drill, a 2-3mm drill bit, a No. 2 phillips head driver, marker pen and lubricant.
Can I tow a trailer with electric brakes without a brake controller?
The answer is, no. Electric trailer brakes do not work without a brake controller. If your trailer is equipped with electric brakes, you will need a brake controller to tow. However, some trailers are equipped with surge brakes.
Does a 7 pin trailer plug control brakes?
Even though the 7-pin trailer plugin controls the brake lights, it doesn't engage the trailer's brakes. You still need a brake controller. However, your vehicle may already have a brake controller built into its electrical system. If so, you just plug your trailer into the port, and you're on your way.
Does it matter which wire is ground on electric brakes?
Use two conductor double jacketed wire for your brakes. The brakes are not grounded, so the wires coming out of the back of the brakes does not have polarity ( no hot or ground). It does not matter which wire you connect to which wire, only that they are not connected to each other!
Do electric trailer brakes need a battery?
Expert Reply: No, you do not need to have an auxiliary battery on the trailer in order for the brakes to work. The brakes are powered by a brake controller like part # C51110 which draws power from the tow vehicle's battery, not the trailer's battery.
Why do my trailer brakes have 2 wires?
Where are the Ground Wires Located on Electric Trailer Brakes Electric brakes have 2 wires located at the back. One is for power and the other is for ground (it doesn't matter which is used for which function). The ground wires should be connected to the trailer frame.
Can I add electric brakes to my trailer?
You will need several items to add electric brakes to your Carry-On Utility trailer. Starting with the trailer you will need a hub and drum that matches the bearings and seal on your trailer spindle and your wheel bolt pattern.
Where do you ground electric trailer brakes?
The ground wires should be connected to the trailer frame. The only other place that would carry a ground is the main ground wire that is connected to the pin in the 5 o'clock position on the 7-Way of your trailer (see attached picture).
Does a 7 pin trailer plug control brakes?
Even though the 7-pin trailer plugin controls the brake lights, it doesn't engage the trailer's brakes. You still need a brake controller. However, your vehicle may already have a brake controller built into its electrical system. If so, you just plug your trailer into the port, and you're on your way.
How do you wire up electric brakes on a trailer?
The WHITE wire will connect to the "WHITE" terminal (along with the brake wire) for a ground. Connect the Yellow wire (the left stop light) to the "RED" terminal. Connect the Brown wire (marker lamps) to the "GREEN" terminal on the plug. Connect the Green wire (Right stop light) to the "BROWN" terminal.
How does a brake controller know if a trailer is connected?
Aftermarket brake controllers send a small amount of voltage along the brake output wire, if a trailer is connected, the magnets in the brake assemblies will create a power draw. This power draw tells the controller that a trailer is connected.
How do I know if my truck is wired for trailer brakes?
If you see two wires running from the frame of the trailer and feeding inside a hole in the backing plate behind the wheel, the trailer has brakes. Every wheel that has these wires will have brakes. You may not have brakes on all wheels, depending on how the trailer was designed at the manufacture.
Where to mount elecbrakes?
We recommend mounting the device on either the inside or outside of the trailer draw bar.
What happens if you don't have a brake controller?
Without a brake controller your trailer’s electric brakes will remain inactive, you’ll be in breach of road rules and most importantly you wouldn’t be towing safely.
How to install a trailer draw bar?
Step 1) Hold the device in the desired position and mark the drill holes for mounting on the draw bar. Step 2) Pre-drill the holes using a 2-3mm drill bit. Step 3) Lubricate screws before tightening.
What is the difference between a plug and play and a hardwired trailer?
The difference is that it comes with waterproof connectors and the adaptors are pre-wired. This takes away any requirement for the user to splice Elecbrakes into the trailer’s existing circuits.
How to change the color of the circle on the car headlights?
Step 1) Turn on your car headlights (to supply power to the elecbrakes device) and launch the app. Step 2) The app will open the search screen and display ‘ …LOOKING FOR DEVICE.’. Step 3) When the connection is complete the circle on the screen will change to a dull red colour.
Do I need an electric brake controller?
Have you ever found yourself asking – “do I need an electric brake controller?”. For many trailer users, the answer is yes. If you’re towing between 751kg and 2,000kg of loaded weight you’ll need braking on both wheels on at least one axle. From 2,001kg up to 4,500 kg of loaded weight you’ll need braking on all wheels .
Can you attach a cable ties to an electric brake?
Note : If you're in a hurry and want an even quicker install you can attach the Elecbrakes unit with cable ties. While we recommend mounting the unit securely using the method above, cable ties are a feasible short term solution.
How to wire a trailer to brakes?
Install a wire of appropriate gauge from the 7-pin connector to both the brakes on the left side and then splice it and install a jumper wire to power up the assemblies on the other side of the trailer.
How to protect wires connecting the electric brakes with a 7 Pin Trailer Plug?
Protection of wires connecting the electric brakes with a 7-pin plug is essential to ensure the availability of brakes when required.
What is trailer breakaway system?
A trailer breakaway system is a safety requirement from the US government to actuate the brakes when it disconnects from the towing vehicle due to some malfunctioning.
What is the blue wire on a trailer?
For surge brakes, blue wire in the 7-pin connector of the trailer serves to disengage the hydraulic or disc brakes while backing up the trailer. In backing up the trailer, surge brakes get actuated due to the pressure on the towing point. Therefore, a reverse lockout solenoid connects between the surge brake actuator and brakes ...
What color wire is used for taillights?
Tail light. However, the SAE standard has a purple-colored wire instead of black. They use Red and Black interchangeably for 12V battery power. Our particular concern is for wiring electric brakes on its side with a 7-pin plug. Specific colored wire dedicated for the purpose is the blue one in both standards.
What is pull switch?
Pull switch is a normally open switch with an inserted pin having one side connected with the towing vehicle with cable help. Its other side links the battery with the brake wire.
What is the third brown wire on a trailer?
A third brown wire connects with all the side markers and taillights to indicate the running status of the trailer. The functionality of these wires can vary according to the applicable standard. Therefore you must check their function using a multimeter before making connections.
What gauge wire do I use for brakes?
We then run a jumper wire from the electric brake power wire to the right side brake assemblies (see photo). I recommend using 12-gauge wire, # 12-1-1, for the jumper wire and for additional ground wire. If you want to use duplex wire, you can use part # 10-2-1.
How many wires are needed for brake magnets?
Each of your new brakes will have two wires for the brake magnet. One wire is for 12 volt power to the brake magnets and the other wire should be grounded either to the trailer frame or to the main trailer ground wire. It does not matter which wire is used for power or ground because they are not polarized. If the trailer wiring is running down the ...
What is the difference between a 4 way trailer connector and a 7 way trailer connector?
What is the Difference Between a 4-Way and 7-Way Trailer Connector A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer… view full answer...
Do you need a 5th wheel hitch in a short bed truck?
Do I Have to Have a Sliding 5th Wheel Hitch in a Short Bed Truck You do not have to use a sliding 5th wheel hitch in a short bed truck. In many cases, truck beds shorter than 8 ft do not have enough clearance between the trailer and truck to execute sharp turns. This is why sliding hitches were invented. Due to… view full answer...
