Can I Install the Autowbrake on the Running Light Circuit to Provide Power

Updated 05/15/2020 | Published 05/13/2020

Question:

Hi, someone already stated that Installing the Autowbrake brake controller, part # 3430001, doesnt actually requrie you to make any changes to the 4-way connectors on your vehicles. All it needs to function is to be wired to the proper wires on the trailer and a constant power source. If you want, you can wire the Autowbrakes power wire the black wire to the trailers running lights and then it will have power as long as you tow with your lights always on. The downside to this is you will then always be drawing power on that circuit from the vehicle which isnt ideal but it will work. This also requires the trailer to have a 4-way connector, like part # A20WB, on it which isnt likely since it obviously has electric brakes. As a followup question: can I just install a 4pin to 7pin converter nothing else and have Autowbrake get power from the parking lights? Per above, how can I wire Autobrakes black wire to the cars running lights? Thank you,

asked by: Lucian

Expert Reply:

To answer your first question, there isn't a traditional "adapter" to allow the 7 way on your trailer to plug into a 4 way connector on your vehicle- at least not in the manner that you're thinking of. For that reason you would first need to install a 7 way connector on your vehicle using something like the # 30717. You don't need to make the connections to a brake wire, but you'd simply need to run power for the 12v power source, and then connect your vehicle's existing 4 way to provide you with all of the functions you need to run the Autowbrake. You could bypass connecting the 12v wire on the 30717 to the battery if you're going to rely on running the Autowbrake off of the running light circuit, but again, if you're going to install the 7 way on your vehicle you may just want to go ahead and install what you need the first time to avoid issues in the future.

If you wanted to run the Autowbrake # 3430001 off of the running light circuit, you would need to find the circuit on your trailer's 7 way connector- which is located at the 1 o'clock position when looking at the front of the plug, and tap into the wire coming off that pin with the power wire of the Autowbrake. I've linked a diagram that shows the pin out on a 7 way trailer plug for you to reference when doing this.

Again, this really isn't the best way to install everything, especially since you've already got a 7 way on your trailer and will need one on the vehicle (if it's not already present). I've linked an installation video of the 30717 adapter for you to have a look at, as well.

expert reply by: Erik B