How Does Curt Echo Brake Controller Send Signal to Trailer Brakes

Published 04/26/2024

Question:

Our Subaru has a dealer installed 4 way flat plug. We added a 4-way to 7-way adapter with only the12 volt blake wire to the battery connected. We did not hook up the yellow wire reverse or the blue wire brakes. We are in the process of having brakes added to our small camper 1400lbs as Subaru recommends this if towing over 1000lb. I read the Echo Brake controller only needs the light functions, 12 volt and ground wires to work. So it seems like a good fit. Heres where I get confused... how does the signal get to the brakes? From the brake light signal? How does that signal travel to the wire that goes to the brakes? I feel like Im missing something. Id like to have a better understanding before ordering. Thanks.

asked by: Pj

Expert Reply:

Hey PJ,

That is an excellent question, and it's actually pretty simple how the brakes are applied when using the Curt Echo Wireless Brake Controller # C51180.

The Echo # C51180 has an accelerometer in the unit that senses when you are slowing down, and even the amount you slow down. So when you hit the brakes on your Subaru, the Echo will know and apply the trailer brakes based on how quickly you decelerate.

That's why it doesn't need the brake wire connected from the vehicle; it will simply send the signal to the brakes once you slow down because it is connected to your trailer 7-way.

expert reply by: Kyle S

4/26/2024

It does that just by the accelerometer sensing the braking? And then it sends a signal to the brakes through the 7way to proportionately apply the brakes? So the blue wire that was on the 4way to 7 way adapter that we didn't hook up....is that what would ususally be connected to a traditional brake controler at the dash?

Kyle S.

4/26/2024

@Pj Yes sir, that's correct, you have it down pat. The answer to each of those questions is yes - it uses the accelerometer, it sends the signal to the brakes via the 7-way, and the blue wire you didn't connect is the traditional brake controller wire.