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murraymcleod's avatar
murraymcleod
Explorer
Mar 02, 2015

Evenbrake taillight setup for Subaru Outback

The 2003 Itasca 27 MH I bought came with a Roadmaster Falcon All-Terrain towbar and an Evenbrake unit, but nothing else to go on the toad. So I bought the correct cross-bar and base-plate attachments, and an Evenbrake second-car kit to install the necessary components on my 2012 Subaru Outback (manual transmission). I have a few questions about the Evenbrake installation though:

1. The kit came with some sort of tail-light relay for brake light control, but do I need to use this if I plan to just use magnetic lights on the back of the toad with a connection from the RV itself? (And the toad's brake lights DO come on when the peddle is pushed by foot or by Evenbrake, when key is in the towing position.)

2. And if I don't need this relay to be installed, can the Evenbrake transmitter be wired to a "cigarette-lighter" plug so it can be installed in the toad just when needed, rather than requiring permanent installation as described in the manual? When towing, I'd just attach the transmitter to the toad via Velcro, plug it in to 12v with that plug, and attach the Evenbrake unit and break-away switch cord, and go?

Thanks in advance for any help with these issues.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Mar 02, 2015
    No, the relay is to prevent the toad brake lights from over riding the turn signal function from MH.
    Brake lite relay
    The brake unit must be wired to a hot circuit. Most lighters or power outlets are only energized with ignition switch turn to acc or on.
  • murraymcleod's avatar
    murraymcleod
    Explorer
    Mar 02, 2015
    Not sure I understand, as I don't plan on having any brake-light connections between the MH and the toad...I will be using the Harbor Freight magnetic lights connected directly to the MH's light output.
  • murraymcleod's avatar
    murraymcleod
    Explorer
    Mar 02, 2015
    From the link you supplied:
    Do I need a Brake-Lite Relay?
    You only need a Brake-Lite Relay if you’re installing a supplemental towed
    vehicle braking system that pushes or pulls the brake pedal.
    Exceptions –
    • With the engine off step on your brakes. If the brake lights do not illuminate,
    you do not need a Brake-Lite Relay.
    • If you’re using magnetic tow lights or a bulb and socket wiring kit, you do not
    need a Brake-Lite Relay.
    • If your motorhome is wired for separate brake and turn signals and if your
    towed vehicle is wired for separate brake and turn signals, you do not need a
    Brake-Lite Relay.

    It looks like I'm exempt from the relay based on the second bullet. So if I don't need the relay wired in, does the transmitter need to be hard-wired into the toad for any other reason?
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Mar 02, 2015
    That is why you do not need the relay.
    Brake lights from the toad will actuate via the Even brake. Turn signals and brake lights will operate from MH. You will have an additional set of brake lights.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Mar 02, 2015
    According to the installation instructions, only hard wired item would be the brake away switch. It needs to be plugged into the brake unit.
    It does not connect to any of the toad wiring, It is a separate wiring harness.
  • murraymcleod's avatar
    murraymcleod
    Explorer
    Mar 02, 2015
    enblethen wrote:
    No, the relay is to prevent the toad brake lights from over riding the turn signal function from MH.
    Brake lite relay
    The brake unit must be wired to a hot circuit. Most lighters or power outlets are only energized with ignition switch turn to acc or on.


    Sorry... I missed the "No" in your original response! So you think my intermittent use of the Evenbrake as needed will work?
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Mar 02, 2015
    Yes, it should work just fine.
    Only problem will be the power source. Check the power outlet to make sure it is hot all the time. It may need a separate fuse to meet installation requirements for amperage.
  • murraymcleod's avatar
    murraymcleod
    Explorer
    Mar 02, 2015
    enblethen wrote:
    According to the installation instructions, only hard wired item would be the brake away switch. It needs to be plugged into the brake unit.
    It does not connect to any of the toad wiring, It is a separate wiring harness.


    Yes, I would plan to permanently mount the break-away switch near the front of the toad, and then route the wire through the firewall, and then connect/disconnect that wire as needed from the transmitter unit.

    It seems strange that they recommend the hardwiring of the 12v power for the transmitter (rather than an un-pluggable 12v connection), as then the transmitter would always be "on" whenever driving the car. Doesn't seem like that would be good for the unit over time....
  • UsualSuspect's avatar
    UsualSuspect
    Explorer
    Mar 02, 2015
    I just installed one in my 2nd towed. You do not need the relay if you use the magnetic brake lights, the relay prevents the brake lights from coming on when your are towing it.
    You do however need to connect a wire from the cold side of the brake light switch to the towed's ICX (The transmitter box with the antenna). This wire sends a signal to the ICX telling the unit the brakes are applied, and will send a signal to the remote in the RV that will trigger a red light, and change the display from "Ready" to "Braking". The EvenBrake also has a feature if the brakes are applied for to long it will automatically release them, as well as alert you if it does not, this wire needs to be connected for that to happen.

    EDIT: The wire from the cold side of the brake light switch plugs into Terminal #1 on the ICX Transmitter.
  • murraymcleod's avatar
    murraymcleod
    Explorer
    Mar 02, 2015
    UsualSuspect wrote:

    You do however need to connect a wire from the cold side of the brake light switch to the towed's ICX (The transmitter box with the antenna). This wire sends a signal to the ICX telling the unit the brakes are applied, and will send a signal to the remote in the RV that will trigger a red light, and change the display from "Ready" to "Braking". The EvenBrake also has a feature if the brakes are applied for to long it will automatically release them, as well as alert you if it does not, this wire needs to be connected for that to happen...


    So, if I read right, the transmitter (ICX) needs to use the voltage from the brake light switch on the toad to know when the Evenbrake is applying the brakes? It doesn't get that info from the braking unit itself (?).

    Seems a but strange for the system to rely on another switch for that info, but if so, then I guess I may as well hard wire the ICX in (and have it power on whenever I drive the car, which will happen a lot more frequently than when I'm towing, as this is a car I use daily when not RV'ing!). Thanks to all for the good info!

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