Determining If Trailer Brakes are 6 Volt or 12 Volt

Updated 02/12/2019 | Published 02/10/2019

Question:

Is there a way to tell the voltage of brake magnets? I have a 1955 trailer and they work, but I am not sure if they are 12V or 6V. The magnets draw about 3A each @ 6V and about twice that at 12V. I havent really had a chance to try them out yet, so was wondering f there is another way to tell other than just taking it out and see if the lock up too easy. With the factory controller in my 2016 Silverado, they will lock when the controller is manually pulled to max. Thanks

asked by: Greg

Expert Reply:

Assuming they are in good working order they would lock up near 6 volts if they were 6 volt magnets. But since they lock up at 12 volts they are 12 volt assemblies. Since they still work well most likely they are newer too which current assemblies aren't made for 6 volt.

expert reply by: Jameson C