Thanks Thanks:  0
Needs Pictures Needs Pictures:  0
Picture(s) thanks Picture(s) thanks:  0
Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 16 to 19 of 19
  1. #16
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Far West Wimmera
    Age
    63
    Posts
    4,049

    Default

    I don't know what causes the problems with electric brakes, but I suspect a lot of it may be due to the plug / socket connection. I have suffered with connection issues for decades. You probably know the story. Plug in the trailer, check the lights, spend the next half hour messing around and when you do get on the road your mood is not what it was.

    I am now resorting to storing the socket inside the vehicle, using a flat cable to extend it outside when required. This stops the water and dirt from getting to the socket when it is not in use. Fitting LED lights did stop most of the problems. It seems the issue is a poor connection rather than no connection and the considerably reduced current needs of the LED's is nowhere near as affected as standard bulbs.

    Electric brakes would be very sensitive to variations in resistance from what I understand. Part of my doubt about their reliability is based on the many hours I have spent messing around trying to get the lights working.

    Dean

  2. #17
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Emerald Central Qld
    Posts
    349

    Default

    Agree with what you are saying , electricals can be a right pain in the @r*e.

    Most mechanical systems if cleaned and maintained will work reliably , electricals will stop with the slightest bit of moisture of grime, usually late at night when its raining.

    Michael

  3. #18
    Join Date
    Apr 2002
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    429

    Default

    If a little bit of moisture or grime stops your 12 volt electrics, there are other problems.

    Having seen how trailers are in general wired and having repaired my fair share ..... I am not surprised people have problems.

    If the welding was as bad as the electrix .... we'd have trailers falling apart all over the place.

    People fail to use heavy enough wire ....... before I pulled it off the road for an over due refurb, people used to comment on how bright the lights where on my little box trailer ..... back in 198X, I wired it with off cuts of 2.5mm2 building wire .... not as flexible as it should have been. .... but never gave me a problem.

    People fail to make good joints and leave joints unprotected ....... don't know how to use crimp lugs properly ....... use crappy screw termninals and leave them weather and dirt exposed under the trailer .... think soldering is superiour to all mother methods, but, can't solder ...... don't know how to use insulation tape properly, won't spend a few bucks on some quality brand insulation tape ....... have no clue that the high end insulation products like self amalgamating tape exist ...... won't pay $5 for a junction box.

    Fail to properly secure and protect cable and connections.

    Buy the cheapest possible parts.

    fail to properly seal tail lights

    Don't do any maintenance

    I think in the 30 years I have had my oldest little box trailer I have probably had to do something about the electrics 5 or 6 times ...... clean the plug a couple of times after it has been left on the ground, replaced a couple of lamps and repaired the number plate cable after it has been caught on something ..... for the most part it has worked every time I plugged it in.



    Specifically on the matter of electric brakes ...... most people do not read the specs or instructions and fail to use heavy enough wire when installing the controller and wiring the brakes.

    Make poor connections to the brake units ..... fail to route the wires from the body to the axle so they won't get damaged or try to protect them with tubing or armoured conduit.

    Fail to install an earth return cable from the axle to the body or better still all the way back to the plug.

    Considering the brake drums may be submersed even in on road situations .... fail to seal up joints so they are properly waterproof.

    Like most trailer brakes people fail to service their electric brakes ....... generally they are not treated well from the day they are bolted on ...... no grease on the rubbing points, no locktight on the fixing screws and no effort to properly align the mechanism so it runs well ........ hell some would be lucky to ever be cleaned and adjusted.

    Then of course people won't spend the extra for the better made off road versions of electric brakes.

    Electrics on trailers are notorioulsy unreliable for reasons that are plain and simple.

    cheers
    Any thing with sharp teeth eats meat.
    Most powertools have sharp teeth.
    People are made of meat.
    Abrasives can be just as dangerous as a blade.....and 10 times more painfull.

  4. #19
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Emerald Central Qld
    Posts
    349

    Default

    Almost finished the suspension repairs .

    The electricals seem ok , just need to work out some of wiring which is there as to its purpose.

    The two water tanks have some weird plumbing , obvious that the person who ran the hoses had never driven on outback roads where sometimes its not possible to miss the well spread road kill and by the end of the day its pretty smelly underneath.

    May fabricate some guarding , this little project just wont go away.

    Michael

Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12

Similar Threads

  1. Rocker roller 3t Gaurd clearance
    By seanjfitz in forum TRAILERS & OTHER FABRICATED STUFF
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 5th Feb 2015, 10:12 PM
  2. Roller Rocker or Airbags with Trailing Arms - What's best?
    By simonhogg1 in forum TRAILERS & OTHER FABRICATED STUFF
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 21st Mar 2014, 04:00 PM
  3. Suspension Upgrade
    By Wombat2 in forum TRAILERS & OTHER FABRICATED STUFF
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 19th Oct 2011, 07:08 PM
  4. independant suspension
    By Tor in forum TRAILERS & OTHER FABRICATED STUFF
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 29th Mar 2010, 09:42 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •