Brake magnet size
My trailer is in winter storage and i am trying to determine the size of my brake magnet. Its a 2012 kz spree escape, single axle...3500 # gvwr, would they be 7, 10, or 12 inch..thanks for any help
Forum Discussion
katysdad wrote:
Just pull the breakaway pin and check, a minute or two will not cause any harm. Leaving the pin out will overheat and can damage the magnets.
Good advice to a point.
Pulling the breakaway will send 12V directly to your brake magnets.
This eliminates the controller issue.
You can then use a compass to see if you have any magnetic fields at the drums.
You can also use this to check the current draw. Insert a ammeter between the trailer battery positive connection. Then pull the breakaway pin.
If you have a well charged battery the current draw should be around 3A per magnet. The OP has two so should see about 6A.
However, unlike the wives tales pushed around on these forums, you CAN leave the magnets on for a LONG, LONG TIME. They are designed to be able to stop and hold your trailer for a minimum of 10 minutes (per Fed and state motor codes).
The only problem you will find is leaving the breakaway on for long periods of time will flatten your battery and if left that way damages your battery.
Something else to consider... Test your breakaway switch EVERY TIME you hitch up. Breakaway switches live out in the cruel world of weather and over time the switch can go bad.
I simply hitch up without connecting the trailer wire and pull the breakaway.
Then pull forward a bit to see if the wheels have locked up.
Then put the breakaway pin back in and connect the trailer wires.
Then pull forward to make sure the brakes no longer are locked.
Takes only a minute or so to do this and ensures you have a fully functional braking system.
