Can Trailer Brakes be Wired Directly to Brake Light Circuit

Question

Question:

Can I connect the trailer brakes to the trailer brake lights?

asked by: Albert C

0

Expert Reply:

If you connect the trailer brake light circuit to the trailer brake circuit your brakes would lock up immediately since 12 volts is max braking voltage for trailer brakes. You'd need a brake controller that can vary voltage so that you can apply the brakes in a smooth way. The Brake EVN # TK63VR is a great choice for this as it has an internal sensor that applies can tell how hard you are applying the vehicle brakes and applies a similar amount of brake pressure to the trailer brakes.

expert reply by: Jameson C

0

Rim

4/4/2025

Why a controller is needed if the brake left and right voltage vary based on how hard we brake? Or is it 12v no matter how we push on the brakes?

Reply

Jameson C.

4/7/2025

@Rim Great question but brake lights do not vary in voltage. They are either at full 12 volts when on or zero when off. This means a brake controller is needed like the # 90885 to provide varying voltage to apply the brakes in a proportional amount.

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Can Trailer Brakes be Wired Directly to Brake Light Circuit

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