brake controller always on

[happywhencamping]

I had a brake controller added to my new unit. It has been wired directly to the battery and is always on (LEDs light). I am worried about the battery being drained by this. Should I be? I am thinking about either pulling the thing out when not needed or putting a switch in the 12V power feed.

Thoughts?

[madmaxmutt]

Not sure what brand/model controller or vehicle you have but it doesn't sound like they installed it correctly or with the proper wiring harness to me. My Prodigy was never on when the truck wasn't on.

[happywhencamping]

I had one on my truck and it was also only on when the key was in. I will check the brand this weekend.

[Kzutter]

My P3 is connected to the factory trailer brake harness. It is hot all the time, but goes to sleep. The lcd display, the little it is on with the key off, is not a battery drain problem.

[ernestmiller]

yes my p3 is like kzuttler. had. truck dealer install

[RPAspey]

Originally Posted by happywhencamping

I had a brake controller added to my new unit. It has been wired directly to the battery and is always on (LEDs light). I am worried about the battery being drained by this. Should I be? I am thinking about either pulling the thing out when not needed or putting a switch in the 12V power feed.

Thoughts?

I've been going through this with my buddy's brake controller. His does shut down after a long time...like 6 hours.

[madmaxmutt]

According to eTrailer, the prodigy should be connected like this:
http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/gr...qu6890_800.jpg

It seems to me that the 20 amp auto reset circuit breaker should be ignition controlled to solve your problem.




EDIT: However, this response seems to indicate the 12 v is constant to the P3. He does say you can just unplug it, but the idea of going and checking to see if it turns off all the time leaves something to be desired.
http://www.etrailer.com/question-56693.html

[awellis3]

Originally Posted by Kzutter

My P3 is connected to the factory trailer brake harness. It is hot all the time, but goes to sleep. The lcd display, the little it is on with the key off, is not a battery drain problem.

That's the answer.
To back Kzutter up, my manual says the same thing. I get in the truck in the a.m. and the controller is off. Put the key in and turn it start - controller is still off. It doesn't wake up until I step on the brake, then the little "c" lights up.

[bluewoo]

Normal my P2 goes asleep after awhile

[rockfordroo]

My P3 is is on all the time in both my Chevy Traverse and my Chevy Silverado. I just disconnect it when I get to the CG.

What bothered me more was that the aux power to the trailer was also always on. To fix that, I installed a relay in the aux power line and a switch on the dashboard so I could kill the power to the trailer if necessary. If you find a wire that's switched, you can wire the relay to that and not need the switch on the dash. (I did this in several of my Grand Caravans when I was pulling a popup.)