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Old 05-21-2013, 09:22 AM   #41
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I just had a thought on this. If he pulled it to "set the brakes" when he set up during his camping trip, and was also plugged into shore power, then his power convertor was supplying continuous power to his brakes, not the battery (unless he was dry camping). The battery likely only supplied the brake circuit for a short period of time when the camper was not connected to shore power.

If this is the case then his battery may be fine. But not so good for the breakaway switch, wiring, and magnet coils in the brakes.
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Old 05-21-2013, 10:35 AM   #42
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What about the inverter? Could it be damaged too? There was a direct short somewhere in the system.
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Old 05-21-2013, 11:14 AM   #43
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What about the inverter? Could it be damaged too? There was a direct short somewhere in the system.
I don't think so.
No short.
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Old 05-21-2013, 12:49 PM   #44
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A direct short would have blown a fuse.
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Old 05-21-2013, 02:37 PM   #45
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What about the inverter? Could it be damaged too? There was a direct short somewhere in the system.
you mean CONVERTER, not inverter.
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Old 05-22-2013, 06:05 AM   #46
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Every trailer I've owned has been like this from the factory, as it is not tight against the frame and can swivel according to the pull on the cable. On my 5er, I put tension on the cable and then tightened the screw holding it in the proper alignment. The other trailers, I left it loose to swivel.
The switch is mounted and secured by a Self tapping sheet metal screw. If all of the ones you have owned are just like this one you better look agin at this Shoddy Mount. The (Ground Strap is held on by the sheet metal screw). A ground strap needs to be TIGHT to the frame for a good ground! I stand by my statement (Shoddy install)! Youroo!!
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Old 05-22-2013, 06:50 AM   #47
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The switch is mounted and secured by a Self tapping sheet metal screw. If all of the ones you have owned are just like this one you better look agin at this Shoddy Mount. The (Ground Strap is held on by the sheet metal screw). A ground strap needs to be TIGHT to the frame for a good ground! I stand by my statement (Shoddy install)! Youroo!!
We are talking about the breakaway switch right?
I believe it only "makes" the positive wire from the battery to the 4 brake magnets.
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Old 05-22-2013, 07:01 AM   #48
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Originally Posted by herk7769 View Post

We are talking about the breakaway switch right?
I believe it only "makes" the positive wire from the battery to the 4 brake magnets.
You are correct.
Just makes connection with hot wire.
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Old 05-22-2013, 07:31 AM   #49
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We are talking about the breakaway switch right?
I believe it only "makes" the positive wire from the battery to the 4 brake magnets.
Yes that is what I am talking about,the way the switch is mounted! OC says it has to pivot,the OP pics show the main (Ground Wire) on the same Sheet metal screw. It must be (Tight) to ground to the frame.Thus (NO) pivot. I said nothing about the groud for the (Brakes)? Youroo!!
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Old 05-22-2013, 07:35 AM   #50
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Lou, you can see the large white wire under the slightly melted switch box
mounting screw.
Looks like they used the same screw to anchor the neg battery wire and
the EB switch box.
In that case it definitely needs to be really tight!!
My battery ground wire is on a screw with a star washer by itself!
(As I think it should be.)
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Old 05-22-2013, 07:42 AM   #51
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Imo the ground should be hooked to the battery ........
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Old 05-22-2013, 07:42 AM   #52
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My guess is the EB switch box melted simply due to corrosion inside the
box. There are just 2 simple contacts inside there that are separated by
the plastic pin. Pull the pin and the contact are -supposed- to come together
and send 12v to the trailer brakes.
These EB switches are cheaply made and NOT water proof. A little road
grime, salt, water & age all add up to a poor connection when/if
the pin is pulled.
A weak connection (corroded contacts) can overheat and eventually melt
the EB box.
If you are in a highway trailer disconnect event, you don't care if the EB
switch box is melting as long as the trailer brakes are ON.

I also wonder if the electric brake coils were over heated.
They should be checked I think.....

I've heard other folks who thought they could use the EB switch as a
parking brake. IMO there should be a red cardboard tag attached to
each EB cable on new trailers that says what it is for and what it's NOT
for.
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Old 05-22-2013, 07:43 AM   #53
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Originally Posted by f1100turbo View Post
Imo the ground should be hooked to the battery ........
Yes but the other end has to connect to the trailer frame.
In this case they have apparently used the EB switch mounting screw
for this.
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Old 05-22-2013, 07:46 AM   #54
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Originally Posted by youroo View Post
Yes that is what I am talking about,the way the switch is mounted! OC says it has to pivot,the OP pics show the main (Ground Wire) on the same Sheet metal screw. It must be (Tight) to ground to the frame.Thus (NO) pivot. I said nothing about the groud for the (Brakes)? Youroo!!
Holy Cow! How did I miss that!

Talk about "finding a convenient ground!" You are so right.
"Woodie" strikes again.

My apologies.
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Old 05-22-2013, 07:46 AM   #55
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Originally Posted by youroo View Post
The switch is mounted and secured by a Self tapping sheet metal screw. If all of the ones you have owned are just like this one you better look agin at this Shoddy Mount. The (Ground Strap is held on by the sheet metal screw). A ground strap needs to be TIGHT to the frame for a good ground! I stand by my statement (Shoddy install)! Youroo!!
Didn't say anything about the ground wire in the picture which is, as you say, wrong and should not be on that screw. The ground has nothing to do with the EB switch.
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Old 05-22-2013, 07:56 AM   #56
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Originally Posted by KyDan View Post
I've heard other folks who thought they could use the EB switch as a parking brake. IMO there should be a red cardboard tag attached to each EB cable on new trailers that says what it is for and what it's NOT for.
Sort of like "Coffee is hot" on cups and Warnings on gun barrels?
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Old 05-22-2013, 08:09 AM   #57
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Sort of like "Coffee is hot" on cups and Warnings on gun barrels?
Nice ear plugs being used by the guy on the right. All he has to do to increase sound suppression is pull the trigger.
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Old 05-22-2013, 08:22 AM   #58
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Nice ear plugs being used by the guy on the right. All he has to do to increase sound suppression is pull the trigger.
Note his hat... So much for "Don't try this at home; we are trained individuals."
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Old 05-22-2013, 08:28 AM   #59
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Note his hat... So much for "Don't try this at home; we are trained individuals."
Was probably trained by the head honcho or his boss.
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Old 05-22-2013, 08:30 AM   #60
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Note his hat... So much for "Don't try this at home; we are trained individuals."
Maybe he had already made it to the training on the first two initials that day.
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