Trailer Wiring

[Donald Watson]

Kurt,

It looks as though you have thought this out and are doing a good job.

What are you using for relay sockets and how are you wiring the sockets?

I was going to build a panel for rear and trailer lights and had yet to make
a decision. I do have a quantity of copper clad circuit board material I
could mill for automotive relay PC board sockets.

I've probably missed previous posts on trailer brake controllers, but it
sounds as though you are using new technology I am not familiar with to
supply the variable DC brake voltage. What are you using for a brake
controller?

Thank you for sharing with us all.

Donn
'76 FC33
South Kingstown, RI

From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Curt Sprenger
Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 12:54 AM
To: WanderlodgeForum
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Trailer Wiring

Before I begin...It's a good idea to sketch out on paper a new panel as
described later. Also the bus original receptacle, a new wire loom, and a
new brake controller.

I've pretty much finished the bus Trailer Wiring project. Just need to tidy
up a bit. All is working from what I can tell. I need to hook the trailer to
the bus to validate the new trailer brake controller. The controller's
display shows it's not hooked up to the bus which is true.

What I did...I made up an 80' loom (6 wires, allowing wires for future). I
thought I had too much wire...ended up using all but 2'. Took a day to
install the wire loom...that counts my buddies stopping to talk. I used #14
wire to make the loom. The the loom is inside 5/8" split loom... #16 or #18
wire would work, and will make it easier to install the smaller diameter
loom. The loom wires are used to trigger relays (turn them on) and then wire
the relay output # 87using larger size wire to the trailer 7 pin receptacle.


I also made up a panel consisting of....6 relays, an 8 gang fuse block, one
30 amp circuit breaker (CB), and a ground lug. I labeled the relays L, LT,
RT, BK, 12V, BU. The relay ground pins # 86 are wired to the ground lug on
the new panel.

The CB provides power to the 8 gang fuse block. The other side of the 8 gang
fuse block, one each, is wired to a # 30 relay pin.

The original trailer receptacle wires ...I used three of the wires. Testing
them showed they are OK. The wires are the Lights (L), Left Turn (LT), Right
Turn (RT). Two other wires did not show any power. One could have been a
ground wire. The three wires were wired to trigger the L, LT, RT (new) relay
# 85 pins.

Two new loom wires were used to send signals back to the # 85 relay
terminals on the new panel. The signals are the brake controller brake wire
from the new brake controller, and a back-up light wire. The back-up wire is
connected to the Back-Up pole on the gen compartment 12V panel.

The brake controller exciter signal is wired to the Stop Light pole on the
gen compartment 12V panel. Power for the brake controller is taken from one
of the CBs out front of the driver. And the ground is connected out front as
well.

The 12V relay on the new panel...power is supplied from the battery
collection lug (isolator), to the input side of the 30 amp CB. The CB output
side supplies the feed to the # 85 pin on the 12V relay. Complete all other
wiring before doing this step.

The relay # 87 wire to the trailer receptacle...All are # 12 wires except
for the 12V and the Brake and they are #10. The #10 might be overkill but
that's me.

The only real issue is routing the new wire loom. The rest is easier than it
sounds. I'm getting ready for the Buellton, CA rally and for now do not have
the time to make up a schematic.

Our coach has dual (each side) red led tail/brake/turn/flasher LED lights.

With the brake applied along with a L or R turn, the turn side blinks, the
other side is a steady brake light.

I'll try to get to hooking up the trailer tomorrow. I'll keep you posted.