How I bettered my 5'ers brakes
Like many I felt that the electric brakes on my fiver were weak and like many, set out to the internet to find an answer. Most answers were to check the condition of the shoes, magnets, etc. but the o...
Forum Discussion
So many think that #14 wire is good for 15 amps, and that is the limit that NEC says that #14 wire should be protected at. However it does not take into account the voltage loss across that wire. With a starting voltage of 120 vac like a house has, then loss of a couple of volts over the #14 wire is no big deal. Lose 2 volts with a 12 volt system, and the amperage will go way down!
Changing to #10 should solve the problem, it is nearly as large as the #8 wire, yet a little more flexible. The important port is changing the ground from a tiny wire to full size, and #8 should be used for that run! This is because it carries the full charging current, upwards of 18 amps for the lights, and brakes, and anything else used in the trailer.
Changing the battery charger wire to #8 or at least #10 wire will upgrade the charge circuit to the point that you should be getting 20 - 25 amps per hour into the RV battery. You should be using a 40 amp circuit breaker on #8 wire and 30 amp on #10 wire.
For your #8 wire to the brake controller, I would suggest a 40 amp automatic re-set circuit breaker. This should never trip, unless you have a shorted out magnet, and then you should figure it out quickly, as the brakes will stop working, (better than burning up the wire though).
I was thinking that I would have to change to disk brakes to stop a heavy trailer! ETrailer.com is one source for disk brake conversions. .
Good Luck, and happy camping!
Fred.
Changing to #10 should solve the problem, it is nearly as large as the #8 wire, yet a little more flexible. The important port is changing the ground from a tiny wire to full size, and #8 should be used for that run! This is because it carries the full charging current, upwards of 18 amps for the lights, and brakes, and anything else used in the trailer.
Changing the battery charger wire to #8 or at least #10 wire will upgrade the charge circuit to the point that you should be getting 20 - 25 amps per hour into the RV battery. You should be using a 40 amp circuit breaker on #8 wire and 30 amp on #10 wire.
For your #8 wire to the brake controller, I would suggest a 40 amp automatic re-set circuit breaker. This should never trip, unless you have a shorted out magnet, and then you should figure it out quickly, as the brakes will stop working, (better than burning up the wire though).
I was thinking that I would have to change to disk brakes to stop a heavy trailer! ETrailer.com is one source for disk brake conversions. .
Good Luck, and happy camping!
Fred.
