Can Manual Override Brake Voltage Backfeed of Brake Controller be Stopped

Question

Question:

I am installing a Redarc Tow-Pro Elite brake controller that I purchased from you ti install in my Sprinter. The directions describe the requirements for the vehicle brake light connection and that it must accept battery voltage input when the brake controller manual over-ride is operated and illuminate at least the trailer brake lights. In this Mercedes document they say the brake signal wire is OUTPUT ONLY. You sell the wiring harness to connect them. Would all brake controllers have the same requirements and is this OK to connect without damaging the vehicle? Thanks for the help.

asked by: Eric B

0

Expert Reply:

Brake Controllers like the Tow Pro Elite # RED44FR have as safety function built into them that activates the tow vehicle's brake lights if the manual override lever is applied so that other motorists know you are slowing down. Not all vehicles like this voltage and some will show an error code on the dash.

The solution for this is to install a one-way diode like the # RM-690 which only allows voltage to travel in one direction which would solve your problem. This installed on the red wire of the brake controller would only allow voltage to travel from the brake pedal to the controller.

expert reply by: Jameson C

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Answer 1

That is the only way you'd be able to install the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller #90195 on your 2023 Ford Transit T350 since there is no custom fit wiring harness. To install this, you'll first need to find the cold side of the…

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Answer 2

When you are hardwiring a trailer brake controller like the Prodigy P2 #90885 the red wire connection that provides the triggering signal to the controller should be made to the wire on the COLD SIDE of the brake light switch circuit. This is the…

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Answer 3

If you had a vehicle that needed a diode installed when installing a brake controller you'd need to install the diode like part #RM-690 on the red wire of the brake controller. This prevents the brake controller from back feeding onto the vehicle…

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Answer 4

I am not entirely sure I understand your question. In regards to a breakaway system, the switch needs to have a separate battery for power according to most state regulations. You will need to check with your state's DOT but it is safe to assume…

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Answer 5

The Redarc Encapsulated Power Diode #RED34FR shouldn't be needed for installing the Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty #RED24FR and Pigtail #RED69FR on your 2020 Subaru Forester. The answer page you're referring to didn't have us telling someone to…

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Answer 6

It's always a good idea to use a dedicated power supply for the breakaway switch since you would be covered if the main trailer battery were to go dead. There are also some states that require the power source for the breakaway switch to be…

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Answer 7

There sure is! The Redarc Encapsulated Power Diode for Tow-Pro Brake Controllers #RED34FR you were looking at gets wired as shown in the included diagram. One of the red wires goes to the red brake output wire on your trailer brake controller, the…

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Answer 8

You will want to find lights that match the lights you currently have on your trailer. If you have incandescent lights I recommend either staying with incandescent or swapping out all of the lights to LEDs. LED lights draw much less power, so you may…

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Answer 9

It sounds like the brake controller is possibly going out and would need to be replaced. You can do some troubleshooting to make sure. I have attached a link to a helpful article that explains how to troubleshoot a brake controller you can check out.…

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Answer 10

Hello Joel, thanks for reaching out. It is possible to use the Redarc Tow Pro Liberty #RED52VR in your 2017 Honda Ridgeline, however, Redarc does not make a custom pigtail for the Ridgeline. So, there are two routes we can go here. The first, and…

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Answer 11

On a 7-Way connector the suggested minimum wire gauge for the White (ground) wire, the Red or Black (power) wire, and the Blue (brake power) wire is 12 gauge. The minimum wire gauge for the remaining Green (right turn/brake) wire, the Yellow (left…

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Answer 12

The reverse light pin on a traditional 7-way trailer connector, like part #PK11893 or a factory connector if that's what you have on your 2018 Ram, is the center pin. Take a look at the picture I attached that shows all the pin functions. To add…

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Can Manual Override Brake Voltage Backfeed of Brake Controller be Stopped

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