Will the 7-Way RV Upgrade Kit ETBC7L Charge the Trailer Battery When Using Curt Echo

Updated 06/25/2020 | Published 11/04/2019

Products Featured in This Question

7-Way RV Upgrade Kit for Trailer Brake Controller Installation - 12 Gauge Wires

(342)

$98.24

Curt Echo Wireless Brake Controller - 7-Way Plug-in w/ Bluetooth App - Up to 2 Axles - Proportional

(1782)

$279.95

Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires

(3416)

$134.98

Question:

Will the ETBC7L allow charging of my trailer battery or do I need an ETBC7. Do not want to use an under dash controller but rather the Curt Echo. Does the ETBC7 have to be used with an under dash unit to charge the battery. Thanks.

asked by: Jason Q

Expert Reply:

The 7-Way RV Upgrade Kit for Trailer Brake Controller Installation part # ETBC7L and the Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller part # ETBC7 will both still charge your trailer's battery even when using the Curt Echo Mobile Trailer Brake Controller part # C51180. The onlybdifference between these two kits is that the latter comes with extra wires and circuit breakers which are needed for a in-cab brake controller but you could still use this with the Curt Echo as well if you like.

expert reply by: Conner L

Irene

6/5/2020

So the ETBC7L will still charge the battery on the trailer using a Curt Echo brake controller? I was sent a 20' length of wire to connect from the battery to the 4 to 7 pin adapter. Will that be enough? What are specifications of that wire, in case I need additional length? It appears it is 12 gauge 12 volt, but the places that sell wire say that is not enough of a description.

Chris R.

6/9/2020

Yes, even with the Echo connected and working, the 12V circuit will still send power back to the trailer battery to maintain its charge during travel. The length of wire needed to activate that circuit depends on your vehicle, but I would think 20 feet is more than enough. The wire included with the # ETBC7L Kit is indeed 12 gauge, which is sufficient for this circuit.

Iren

6/25/2020

@ChrisR the ETBC7L appears to have ground at bottom right, rather then bottom left (in addition to the ground not working - seems to be disconnected within the adapter housing). As a result, my trailer connection tester and my Curt Echo will not work - they appear to be looking for a ground on bottom left, because they work on everything else. Should I have been advised to get the ETBC7? (I cannot find a schematic for the Curt Echo connections to see if they match up to the 4 to 7 pin adapter)