breakaway switch and cable

budwich wrote:
wouldn't be better to list ones that do along with ones the don't. Anyways, I was seeking information, generalizations are less so.

The most direct way to get the information you seek is to say "I have brand XYZ brake controller. Does anyone know if that brand has a problem with the breakaway pin being pulled while still plugged into the tow vehicle?"

That does not require everyone in the known universe to provide you with the information on THEIR controller. And, it avoids "generalizations."

I had the breakaway pin pull out inadvertently when leaving the dealer after they messed with the hitch, and my Prodigy P2 didn't care.

wouldn't be better to list ones that do along with ones the don't. Anyways, I was seeking information, generalizations are less so.

Unfortunately, unless someone wants to do a study, a generalization is all we have. We know some controllers are OK with it. We know some controllers are not. You pay your money, you take your chance. It is just so cheap and easy to unplug from the vehicle that I don't see the reason to risk it. YMMV

Might be a possibility. I guess it would be nice to have specifics of ones that are known to fail in this "mode". I personally have caused a "break away action" while connected to the TV plug because of poor "length take up" of the cable. No big deal, the trailer brakes locked up, got out, re-positioned the break away cabling / re attached things and continued the journey. Anyways, I was looking for more specifics on controllers as opposed to what I would consider a generalization.

Could be that Tekonsha put a diode across the output of the P2 and current swapping won't fry it. Not all controllers are built the same.

no problem... since my controller (prodigy p2) doesn't list any warnings, I thought I was missing something.... especially since these types of controllers list all sorts of error codes for various conditions, it was definitely an "interesting statement".

Backfeeding 12v into the electronics of the brake controller can be a bad thing. Not all electronics appreciate having the current running backwards.

budwich wrote:
ok.... waiting

Thought I explained it Best I could. But for you I'll try again. Many, Meaning NOT all, Brake controlers will be destroyed IF you pull the breakaway cable out while the 7 pin / cord is conneced. Why? Could be it creates a short of some kind. Could be it shocks the controler. Could be the way some are wired in. I'm not sure. I just know it can happen. Seen it.

Now if you want to find out if it will fry yours. Hook up, and pull it out. Me. Not a chance I want to take. There are a lot of things I don't know how they work. But I know they do. Example. I don't know how 2 little wires carry all this internet stuff. But they do.

Or you can disconnect the 7 pin while hitched and the tow vehicle is running. Then pull the breakaway pin. Get in the TV and put it in drive, remove foot from break, the trailer should keep the TV and trailer from rolling. If they don't roll the trailer brakes have activated and trailer battery is supplying power. Along with pulling a tire and looking at the brakes on that wheel this is what they do at the vehicle inspection station to show the trailer brakes are working, the breakaway is working and the battery is working when I get my annual state trailer inspection.

If the trailer does move, the brake controller knobs or levers may need to be adjusted or there is a problem with the breakaway, the brakes or the breaking system.