has anyone installed a trailer brake controller?

[zack]

I'm having some trouble with a brake controller I installed on my 72' and I was wondering if there are any variations to the standard instructions that come with the controller, such as the brake peddle switch or brake lights for our trucks. can anyone tell me if their trailer brakes surge when the flashers are on?

[aquartlow]

As long as you use the brake pedal switch wiring for trailer brake controller activation, you should not have any surging with the emergency flashers on.

[zack]

the weird part is that i was having rhythmic surging when i was on the brakes steady like the circit breaker was cycling on and off. any ideas what might cause that? the emergency flashers were not on at the time

[aquartlow]

Where are you getting the 12v source voltage from? I have always ran a 10ga wire/cable directly to the battery with an inline circuit breaker or fuse with the appropriate amperage rating, usually between 20-25 amps, depending on what the manufacturer requires. Make sure your brake controller is mounted as level as possible, this alone will solve a host of problems and/or braking performance ills. You may have to try another(new) brake controller to verify whether the one you are using is good or defective. Keep us updated. Good luck, Todd

[67 Camper Special]

Where are you getting the 12v source voltage from? I have always ran a 10ga wire/cable directly to the battery with an inline circuit breaker or fuse with the appropriate amperage rating, usually between 20-25 amps, depending on what the manufacturer requires. Make sure your brake controller is mounted as level as possible, this alone will solve a host of problems and/or braking performance ills. You may have to try another(new) brake controller to verify whether the one you are using is good or defective. Keep us updated. Good luck, Todd

I did the one on my CS that way and it does present one small problem. If you leave a trailer hooked up to the truck for extended periods the light on the controller stays on and will drain the battery. I backed a trailer load of oak into the barn for a week or so till I needed it and left it hooked to the truck. Came back and my battery was dead. So....... If you do it this way unplug the connection at the back of the truck if it will sit hooked up for a while, that is what activates the controller on most.

Larry