Testing Electric Trailer Brakes Using Direct Battery Power
Updated 06/05/2024 | Published 06/18/2018
Question:
I have heard battery charger directly to the two wires on the electric brake and no humming in the brakes still don’t work what could be wrong
asked by: Steve
Expert Reply:
You can indeed test a trailer's electric drum brakes by directly applying +12V power from a fully-charged battery.
You can apply this power to the hot contact on the trailer's plug (see photo please) or to an individual brake assembly's two wires. With a well-charged battery delivering power you should hear gentle humming from the brake magnets and feel resistance as you try to rotate the hub.
Please note that a battery CHARGER like # CTEK56353 cannot be used to do this test. You need a fully-charged 12V battery to do it. If you are using a fully-charged battery for testing and you have no response from the brake to this full battery power input then check the main ground wire on the trailer for a loose or corroded connection that is preventing power from reaching the brakes. You can also check each brake's ground wire. All ground must be made to clean bare metal.
You can also refer to the linked article for more on testing brakes.
Tim
6/5/2024
Just to be clear we should apply positive +12v power to both the ground pin and the brake pin. No negative -12v ?
Kevin C.
6/5/2024
Product Page this Question was Asked From
CTEK MULTI US 7002 12-Volt Universal Battery Charger w/ Pulse Maintenance and Backup Power
- Battery Charger
- Battery Charger
- Car/Truck/SUV
- Motorcycle
- Trailer
- Lawn Mower
- Jet Ski
- 12V
- 7 Amps
- AC to DC
- AGM
- Gel
- Lead Acid
- Wall Outlet
- Smart Charge
- Trickle Charge
- CTEK Power Inc
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Article: Testing Trailer Brake Magnets for Proper Function
- Search Results: 8~407
- Search Results: 023~462~00
- Shop: Dexter Trailer Hub-and-Drum Assembly - 4.4K Axles - 6 on 5-1/2 - 10" Drum
- Shop: Dexter Electric Trailer Brakes - 10" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 3.5K
- Search Results: blue ox trailer hitch
- Search Results: blue ox tow
- Search Results: blue ox tow bar
- Shop: etrailer Electric Trailer Brakes - Self-Adjusting - 12" - Left/Right Hand - 5.2K to 7K
- Search Results: 7 way tester
- Search Results: brake controller
- Article: Wiring Trailer Lights with a 7-Way Plug (It's Easier Than You Think)
- Q&A: Testing Electric Brakes on Trailer without Connecting to Tow Vehicle
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Shop: Dexter Electric Brake Assembly for 4.4K Axles Manufactured After May 2009 - 10" - Left Hand
- Shop: Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brakes - 10" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 4.4K
- Shop: Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly - 4,400-lb E-Z Lube Axles - 10" Diameter - 6 on 5-1/2
- Shop: Dexter Electric Trailer Brakes - 10" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 4,400 lbs
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Q&A: Testing for Proper Voltage on the Brake Output Circuit
- Q&A: How to Test Brake Controller without Trailer Connected
- Video: Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty Brake Controller Installation - 2020 Ram 1500
- Video: Tekonsha Prodigy RF Wireless Brake Controller Spec Review
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Video: All You Need to Know About the Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Assembly
- Video: Installing the Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brakes on a 2020 Taxa Mantis Travel Trailer
- Video: What to Know About the Dexter Heavy-Duty Suspension Kit for Tandem-Axle Trailers
- Video: Comprehensive Review: etrailer Trailer Coupler Latch Lock
- Q&A: Do Brake Shoes Need to be Replaced if Grease Spilled on Them
- Q&A: How to Wire Trailer Brake Magnets
on Battery Charger
Bruce
7/30/2020
I tried to do this and when I touched the wires from the battery to the connector, one of them started to smoke. According to my new brake controller, there's a short somewhere. Could that cause the test wire to smoke?