Terrible factory splices in brake wiring
OMG, I never would have thought splices in the brake wiring could be this bad. Am just replacing the backing plate assemblies on one axle. The first couple of splices I looked at were pretty bad...
Forum Discussion
myredracer wrote:westend wrote:Thanks for the clarification. What did you use for a distribution block? Does it have a watertight cover?
What you've done is a series connection. You have both drums in series on one side and have two drums in series from one end of axle to the other.
A Star pattern typically has each drum having it's own pair of wires. The power can be distributed by a series wire connection to the source of power or, as I did, through a distribution block so that each brake assembly has its own pair of wires. I pulled it through heavy plastic flex-conduit and plastic boxes located against the frame. There are still two splices near the drums to power the magnets. I soldered mine and covered with heatshrink.
The 12 ga you used is definitely an improvement and you should notice better braking, immediately.
I had a multi-terminal block laying around. It has about 20 terminals. It resides inside a box that I added to the trailer tongue. I split the (-) and (+) leads on the block, the trailer umbilical and emergency braking leads are apportioned to the block with jumpers between terminals. On the same distribution block, I have the light connections. There are sealed distribution blocks if you feel the need.
FWIW, at one time, I worked on a fleet of trailers and trucks. The trailers, which were continually abused, were a pain to diagnose electrical problems. I learned from that experience and added the 12V distribution block on my travel trailer. If I experience a potential brake or light problem, diagnosis of the electrical part is easy.
Good luck on the brake electrical. Your renovation to 12 ga may be all that you need to get operation at a reliable level.
