Does Breakaway Kit Cause Backfeeding on Brake Controller Wiring

Updated 03/23/2021 | Published 03/22/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

(2763)

$159.00

Tekonsha Trailer Breakaway Kit with Built-in Battery Charger - Top Load

(189)

$103.85

Question:

I have the 20020 Tekonsha Trailer Breakaway Kit and Charger installed along with this brake controller and I am concerned that potential backfeeding from the breakaway battery and/or charger could destroy the brake controler. Would you recommend installing a diode on the blue wire to stop backfeeding?

asked by: Richard N

Expert Reply:

Since breakaway kits attach to only the 12 volt accessory circuit of the trailer wiring under normal circumstances and not the brake controller output circuit like what the brake controller is connected to there would be no backfeeding issue.

In the event of the breakaway kit getting activated and it putting 12 volts on the brake output circuit the trailer wiring would be at that point disconnected from the vehicle so again there wouldn't be any backfeeding.

Also 12 volts on the output circuit would not damage the brake controller anyway.

expert reply by: Jameson C