break away switch

[rafael33155]

never gave it much thought about it not work untill i decided to convert my brake drums to disk. while doing the wiring for the brake actuator and testing i notice my breakaway switch the circuit remain open even when i pulled the cord off making me wonder how long it hasn't work kind of scary, so remember to test your breakaway switch regularly and don't take it for granted that it's working

[1retired06]

Great advice

[BB_TX]

quote:Originally posted by rafael33155

...........my breakaway switch the circuit remain open even when i pulled the cord off ..........

Do you mean when you pulled the pin out of the breakaway switch?

[jcurtis934]

Mine was tested twice this last summer on turns greater than 90 degrees, worked extremely well. But I replaced the whole unit anyway with one that has the coiled safety wire. Now since it's new, it isn't rusted...and that straight piece of wire isn't there to get hung up on something. You wouldn't believe how mad all those texans were when I blocked the exit off I20 as well as the frontage road while I hopped out to plug the thing back together. I think it was a 20 finger moment. John

[rafael33155]

yes BB when you pull the pin

[twindman]

Where did you get the coiled wire? I have pulled the pin 2 or 3 times now - once in the middle of a wide not busy 5-6 lane wide street and oncoming traffic was not happy!

quote:Originally posted by jcurtis934

Mine was tested twice this last summer on turns greater than 90 degrees, worked extremely well. But I replaced the whole unit anyway with one that has the coiled safety wire. Now since it's new, it isn't rusted...and that straight piece of wire isn't there to get hung up on something. You wouldn't believe how mad all those texans were when I blocked the exit off I20 as well as the frontage road while I hopped out to plug the thing back together. I think it was a 20 finger moment. John

[BB_TX]

I bought my coiled cable from AdventureRV when I was ordering some other things. But if you google rv breakaway switch cable you will find multiple sources, maybe someone you have bought from before.

[MARK A]

quote:Originally posted by rafael33155

never gave it much thought about it not work untill i decided to convert my brake drums to disk. while doing the wiring for the brake actuator and testing i notice my breakaway switch the circuit remain open even when i pulled the cord off making me wonder how long it hasn't work kind of scary, so remember to test your breakaway switch regularly and don't take it for granted that it's working

Aren't they electric?
My flatbed and cargo have small lawnmower type batteries to activate the runaway brake. I never thought about the 5th wheel, is your battery dis-connected?

Mark

[DuneBuggyBuilder]

quote:Originally posted by BB_TX

I bought my coiled cable from AdventureRV when I was ordering some other things. But if you google rv breakaway switch cable you will find multiple sources, maybe someone you have bought from before.

Be sure to buy the coiled cable *WITH* the attached pin. It makes for a simple, easy changeover rather than cutting the existing cable loose from the pin.

[rafael33155]

the breakaway switch is electrical it work with the trailer battery NOT you truck it's a normally close circuit the plug maintain it open. one side of the switch got power the other goes to the electric brakes when you pull the plug it close the circuit its suppose to stop the trailer best way to test it raise 1 tire pull the plug and try to turn the tire you should encounter resistance from the electric magnet on the brake if you don't your switch might be defective or could be electrical problem to test this you don't need the trailer hitch up to the truck

[jcurtis934]

Nice picture of the coiled part. I picked my assy up at camping world since I was in one anyway. Best thing I ever did since the whole thing is so cheap. John