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Troubleshooting Electric Over Hydraulic Braking System that Uses Hydrastar Actuator  

Updated 12/30/2011 | Published 12/29/2011

Question:

Will a dead battery in breakaway kit cause the actuator not to work? Also when it does work on any truck it has to be pulled a good ways before it starts to work do I need a better ground ? Unit wont come on at all now does it take a full 12 volts from brake controller? I had a prodidgy in a diff truck now I have a redneck of some sort I know it was working with it last time I pulled trailer. Checked all wires rewired truck but only getting 7 to 10 volts to unit any suggestions would be appreciated.

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Expert Reply:

A dead breakaway batter can cause an actuator to not work properly. The actuator draws power from the breakaway battery and the tow vehicle, but most of the amps will be drawn from the battery. The tow vehicle basically just provides a maintenance charge to the breakaway battery.

Since it takes a while to get going and the voltage at the actuator is below 12 volts, I would guess either a bad ground or a dirty/corroded trailer connector. I would remove the ground connections and grind away any rust, paint or corrosion. make sure the ground terminals are making contact with a clean bare metal surface on the trailer frame.

I would also inspect the trailer connector for rust and corrosion and clean or replace as needed. If you need a new 7-way, I recommend installing our 7-way trailer wiring kit, # HS381-9000, because it comes with a new molded 7-way harness, a junction box and all of the hardware to make troubleshooting and repairing your trailer easier in the future.

If either of those solutions do not work, let me know what you come up with and we can do further troubleshooting.

expert reply by:
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Mike L
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