Weak Braking w/ Tekonsha P3
I have been using my Tekonsha P3 brake controller for about five years with two different trailers without problems until this spring when I noticed weak braking. Braking was fine last fall, so the co...
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OUTPUT VOLTAGE
No braking -- 0 V
Brake pedal fully depressed -- 3.2 V
Manual lever pushed fully to the left -- 12.1 V
OUTPUT CURRENT
No braking -- 0 A
Brake pedal fully depressed -- 1.5 A
Manual lever pushed fully to the left -- 10.0 A
A typical electric brake will draw about 3 A at 12 V. If you have four brakes, then 10 A is not far off from a theoretical 12 A. This implies that the controller, tow vehicle wiring, trailer connector, trailer wiring, and brake wires are all fine.
If the wires were bad, the current (amps) would be less.
If the connector was corroded, the current would be less.
If a brake wire was damaged, or a brake coil had failed, the current would be less.
That pretty much leaves just the brake mechanicals as the culprit. It could be brake adjustment, or a corroded pivot, or coils that are stuck too far away from the drum. Of these, adjustment is the most probable. It's possible there is a problem with the electric part, but if your controller readings are to be believed, I would sure start with the mechanical parts.
