Troubleshooting Amperage On Brake Magnets

Updated 07/06/2015 | Published 07/03/2015

Question:

In your description to test magnets you write: Next, disconnect the negative wire from the brake magnet wire and connect it to the base, housing, of the brake magnet. If there is any amperage, the magnet is shorted and will need to be replaced When you say any amperage, do you really mean any even if it small? I have two brakes. One side brakes harder than the other. The weak side shows 15mA when I connect the magnet housing to the negative terminal of the battery and one lead to the positive terminal. The ohms and amps 3.0A if I connect both leads to the battery are both correct and identical to the other side. Does the 15mA mean I need to replace that magnet? Thanks

asked by: Brian S

Expert Reply:

When you are testing the brakes you will need to sever both of the magnet wires. You can connect one of the wires to a 12-volt battery with a multimeter between the positive battery post and the magnet.

Then connect the other magnet wire to the negative post of the battery. If you have 10 or 12 inch brake magnets the reading should be 3.2 to 4.0 amps at 12-13 volts. For 7 inch brake magnets the reading should be between 3.0 and 3.2 amps at 12-13 volts.

If your amperage is greater than the specified amount you need to replace the magnet. If the reading is less than the specified amount the magnet should be replaced.

You may just need to adjust the brakes since you said they are both reading the same when you test them.

I have attached a link to a helpful article you can check out.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L