Troubleshooting Confusing LED Lights on a Hopkins Engager Trailer Breakaway Kit

Updated 08/21/2012 | Published 08/18/2012

Question:

Our 2-year-old marching band trailer utilizes the break-away system The Engager model # 20401 and meter-embed lid model #20406. I am confused by the current LEDs that are lit. When not connected to the truck battery, the Engager battery reads 12 volts with my volt meter. Regardless of whether the system is connected or or not connected to the truck battery, 1 the amber LED appears lit constantly, regardless of whether the lids test button is pressed. 2 the red LED appears lit only when the test button is pressed, 3 the green LED is never lit, regardless of whether the test button. When the test button is pressed, the red LED is lit and the green LED is not lit. To me, this suggests that the Engager battery is slightly low although my meter shows 12 volts. But how can the amber LED appear lit when the system is not connected to the truck battery? That is, how can the system be charging if the system is not connected to the truck battery?

asked by: Dan

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you might have one or two situations going on there. First, use the installation instructions, linked here for you, and make sure the breakaway kit is wired correctly. Also, check to be sure the plastic breakaway switch pin is correctly inserted into the breakaway switch housing.

Next, make sure that the ground wire from the breakaway kit, # 20401, is attached to the trailer frame and not wired into the trailer connector. My contact at Hopkins indicated that this could be the issue. Another reason not to ground the breakaway kit to the trailer connector is that, in the event of a break away situation, the ground would be eliminated and the circuit would not be completed for activation of the trailer brakes. We have a breakaway kit installation video that you might find helpful also, see link.

Finally, both the red and yellow lights being activated at the same time when the test button is pressed could indicate that the battery has a bad cell and is in need of replacement.

expert reply by: Robert G