Recommended Wire Gauge for Wiring Trailer Brakes

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Question:

Hey I am new with electrical, and wiring up the brake wire does it matter if ive used thicker gauge wire for the grounds and power?i have used splice buts with shrink wrap i have some 14 guage brand new at home would that be to big to hook up to the magnets/ 7 way plug ? Thanks for your help

asked by: Michael

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Expert Reply:

I recommend using at minimum a 12 gauge wire like # 12-1-1, but preferably 10 gauge wire like # 10-1-1.

When you try to run 12v power for electric brakes through a thinner 14 gauge wire to power something like your brakes it overloads the wire and causes overheat. Once overloaded, the copper wires heat up so much that it could melt the insulation in the 14 gauge wire and end up causing a short.

expert reply by: Jackie C

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Answer 1

That's a very good question, we tend to be extra cautious and say to use 10 gauge wire because that would be more than enough. When you get into longer trailers that will end up using a lot of wire the heavier gauge wire becomes more necessary.…

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Answer 2

The first step I would take is to replace the 14 gauge wire for the electric brakes with either 10 or 12 gauge wire. It is not recommended to use wire smaller than 12 gauge on electric brake and battery charge circuits on trailers. The smaller gauge…

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Answer 3

If things start to melt when you pull the breakaway pin from the switch then that indicates a bad short that we have to track down. It also sounds like somehow the trailer running light circuit is being tied into the brake and breakaway system wiring…

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Answer 4

You need a breakaway battery charger if you want to maintain the battery charge on your breakaway kit using your tow vehicle's 7-way trailer connector. The 12 volt battery on breakaway kits, like all batteries, will self-discharge over time.…

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Answer 5

Sounds like you have the 12 volt power circuit of your trailer either running to only your breakaway battery or only the trailer lights. Most likely the issue is the connection that you are making from the battery to the 12 volt system. Make sure…

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Answer 6

It sounds like you are speaking of the wires for the brake magnets. If this is correct, you will need to connect one of the wires to the brake controller output wire on your trailer connector and the other wire will need to be grounded to a clean…

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Answer 7

Yes we do have replacement shoes for the Dexter 6k Nev-R-Adjust assemblies part #23-458-459 with the part #K71-676 for the right hand side and the part #K71-675 for the left hand side.

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Answer 8

Installing brakes on a trailer really isn't too bad. The install is pretty basic and a DIYer like yourself wouldn't have a problem at all. To determine the parts you need though we need to for sure know what axles/spindles you have so that we…

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Answer 9

Certainly; the correct replacement brake shoes for the Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - 12" #23-458 and #23-459 are the following: - Replacement Shoe and Lining for Nev-R-Adjust 12" x 2" Electric - Left Hand…

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Answer 10

In order to verify the spindle dimensions so that you can pick out the correct hub/drum you have to get exact dimensions. For that you need to use a digital caliper like part #PTW80157. For how old your trailer is this is especially important as the…

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Answer 11

The reason that 10 Gauge #10-1-1 or 12 Gauge #12-1-1 wire is recommended for 10" brake assemblies, like part #AKEBRK-35-SA, is because they pull more power than the lights on your trailer. I believe the green wire you are referring to carries…

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Answer 12

On each individual electric brake magnet the amperage draw would be 3.0 to 3.2 max amps at 12 to 13 volts on 7-inch brake magnets and 3.2 to 4.0 max amps at 12 to 13 volts on 10 and 12-inch brake magnets. The max amperage draw for the brake magnets…

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Recommended Wire Gauge for Wiring Trailer Brakes

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