7,000 lb 12 Inch Electric Trailer Brakes Only Reading 7 Amps

Updated 07/25/2023 | Published 07/24/2023

Question:

Just installed new pre assembled brakes with new magnets on 7000 lb axles After installing drums I thought I would try out brakes before putting wheels on So with a helper in tow vehicle and me at the wheels i started turning the drums and told my helper to apply brakes controller set on maximum. I could hear the whine of the magnets but no braking action at all on all four wheels so I checked voltage and getting about 13 volts but when I checked amps was only getting about seven with controller on maximum. Is it possible for all four brand new magnets to be bad or am I missing something

asked by: Chuck

Helpful Expert Reply:

It's rare, but possible the brand new magnets are all bad. Assuming you have tandem axles and a total of four 7,000 lb, 12 inch electric trailer brakes, you should be getting 15.0-16.3 amps at 12-13 volts. It is more likely the magnet's ground wire is weak; it's really important to have the ground attached to a clean bare metal surface - no paint, dirt, etc.

A bad ground can cause the circuit to be incomplete and cause the low amperage. Otherwise, if the magnets are indeed bad you can replace them with the Replacement Magnet Kit for 12" Electric Trailer Brake Assemblies # AKBRKR-M12.

expert reply by: Kyle S