Forum Discussion

WallynDiane's avatar
WallynDiane
Explorer
Jun 22, 2013

Break away cable pulled out draining battery

We have a 2004 Holiday Rambler Presidential 5th wheel.

It is permanently parked in a campground. Earlier this spring, a bird built a nest in the front pin area. In pulling out the nest, we accidentally pulled out the break away pin.

We couldn't figure out why our battery was drained when we opened camp the last two trips. I did a google search and I found others who had a similar battery drain problem. I read to check that breakaway cable and it was pulled. The little box was very hot where the pin connects to. Also the box had a small heat deformity.

We plugged the cable pin back in and the box cooled down immediately.

Again, we don't move our RV. Is there any possibility the electric breaks were damaged while the cable was out?

I never heard of this before and since we may sell our rig in a couple of years, I don't want bad brakes. Any comments welcomed.
  • 45Ricochet's avatar
    45Ricochet
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2013
    sch911 wrote:
    I'd be most worried about the state of the magnets after having them "hot" for so long....

    I agree, thats about the only damage you could have done, other than the batteries. Your copper wire in your stick and bricks carry loads 24/7. A 12V load should not fry your brake wires or shoes or drums.
  • Cougarnewbie's avatar
    Cougarnewbie
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2013
    I made the same mistake as Path. Pulled the cable thinking theft protection. It drained the battery. More important, I got in the middle of Nebraska and discovered I had eight burnt, broken brake wires. IMHO the sustained heat had burnt the wires.
  • sch911's avatar
    sch911
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2013
    I'd be most worried about the state of the magnets after having them "hot" for so long....
  • Vulcaneer's avatar
    Vulcaneer
    Explorer
    Jun 22, 2013
    John Bridge wrote:
    Since the wheels aren't spinning, there is no wear or damage -- except to the drained battery. ;-)


    That depends. He may be right. But may be wrong too. The continued amperage load, can be damaging to the wires, connectors, and magnets. If the wire sizes were marginal to begin with, the chances of damage would be higher. Every situation is different. You could be lucky. Or not...
  • John_Bridge's avatar
    John_Bridge
    Explorer
    Jun 22, 2013
    Pull the cable and the brakes simply engage. Since the wheels aren't spinning, there is no wear or damage -- except to the drained battery. ;-)
  • path1's avatar
    path1
    Explorer
    Jun 22, 2013
    I'm telling on myself a little bit...but when our trailer was brand new and we were newbie's we were told when the break away cable is pulled nobody could move the trailer. Great, built in theft protection I thought. When leaving our seasonal lot we pulled the cable. 2 weeks later of course battery was drained. Charged it back up and brakes worked fine. Maybe we were lucky.
  • downtheroad's avatar
    downtheroad
    Explorer
    Jun 22, 2013
    Possible damage..but not for sure. How long was the cable out and brakes engaged?

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