Curt Echo Wireless Brake Controller Compatibility with 2020 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E

Updated 10/05/2020 | Published 10/01/2020

Products Featured in This Question

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

(1913)

$289.95

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

(109)

$1.91

40 Amp In-Line Circuit Breaker - Perpendicular Mount Bracket

(100)

$9.97

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

(70)

$14.54

Question:

Rented a popup camper for my 2020 RTL-E today while we wait for the one we bought to be built. Installed Curt Echo no problems. Blinkers etc worked fine. I noticed though coming home whenever I applied the brakes nothing happened on the app showing brakes. When I hit the apps brake override for manual brakes I felt nothing. Later in the afternoon I went back to experiment but the Echo did not power up at all. Replaced the 20 amp fuse for the trailer charger in the smaller engine bay fuse box and the Echo booted up again. Manually applied the brakes via the app and it said electric overload. Took it for a spin and still nothing showing brakes behind applied when I applied the truck brake. Ive heard other Gen 2 owners using the Echo without issues so what in the world is going on here? This is from the instruction manual: The Echo brake controller uses the 7-way connectors +12V connection to power the brakes, and it shares this power with the trailer. Ensure the fuse for this connection is rated for 30 amps. Both the e brake fuse and charger fuse in the fuse box are 20 amp. Would that matter? If so, how are other Ridgeline Owners using it? Or does that have nothing to do with it?

asked by: Cameron G

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you are getting enough power to the unit and in fact may be getting too much power as it stated electrical overload. Curt recommends when you get that signal that the trailer wiring be inspected as there may be an issue with the trailer wiring itself. I haven't heard of issues with the 30 amp circuit versus 20 amp circuit, but if there was an overdraw, it would pop that fuse and no power would be getting to the controller at all. If that fuse keeps popping then then 12V power may need to be hard wired to the battery using a circuit breaker. I recommend # 10-1-1 wire with 40 amp circuit breaker # 9510 for that application.

My recommendation is to first check the unit using a circuit tester like # PTW2993 on the 5 o'clock pin of the Echo Brake controller trailer connector when the trailer is not connected but the unit is connected to the vehicle. Test using the manual override button which should light up your circuit tester as you hold down the button. If this works, then you know the brake controller itself is working properly and there is an issue with the electric brake output wiring on the trailer. If it does not work, then you know the brake controller is not functioning properly. I recommend cleaning all trailer connection parts with sand paper or a nylon scrub brush to ensure you have no corrosion in the connections and a solid connection at all pins.

expert reply by: Jason S