What powers Coachmen-Freedom Express brake, break-away switches?

[PhilFromMaine]

I was wondering if anyone knows for sure what the power source is for break-away switches for electric trailer brakes on Coachman-Freedom Express trailers.

Will they operate if there is no house battery on the trailer? If so, do they get power via the 7 pin connector from the travel vehicle? Thanks in advance for any responses.

Just looking at the setup on my 234 Freedom Express-Liberty Edition, I would guess that the power for the break-away switch comes from the Travel vehicle via the 7 pin plug.

[jeff64]

The battery

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by PhilFromMaine

I was wondering if anyone knows for sure what the power source is for break-away switches for electric trailer brakes on Coachman-Freedom Express trailers.

Will they operate if there is no house battery on the trailer? If so, do they get power via the 7 pin connector from the travel vehicle? Thanks in advance for any responses.

Just looking at the setup on my 234 Freedom Express-Liberty Edition, I would guess that the power for the break-away switch comes from the Travel vehicle via the 7 pin plug.

It's not about the breakaway switch, it's about the brakes.

Think about this for a moment- if the trailer breaks away from the tow vehicle, the 7-pin plug can't transfer power to energize the brakes.

The brakes are energized by the battery.

Unless I'm missing the point of the question.

[PhilFromMaine]

Originally Posted by ependydad

It's not about the breakaway switch, it's about the brakes.

Think about this for a moment- if the trailer breaks away from the tow vehicle, the 7-pin plug can't transfer power to energize the brakes.

The brakes are energized by the battery.

Unless I'm missing the point of the question.

ependydad, Thank you for your reply. I did read in etrailer that the trailer brakes are powered by the TV battery via the seven point connector (I will double check that). At issue is the power to the break-away switch. All switches need power to send the signal to the electric brakes. Some trailers actually have small 12v batteries to supply that power with small chargers to keep them at full charge (sort of a fail safe system).

So, assuming all my information regarding the trailer brakes getting power from the TV is correct, I just want to verify that switch is also powered from the TV.

My goal is to power my trailer via a solar generator with alternator charging that will be located in the bed of the Silveraldo. When camped, I will simply plug it into an Anderson connecter attached to the original TT battery connections.

[D W]

Originally Posted by PhilFromMaine

ependydad, Thank you for your reply. I did read in etrailer that the trailer brakes are powered by the TV battery via the seven point connector (I will double check that). At issue is the power to the break-away switch. All switches need power to send the signal to the electric brakes. Some trailers actually have small 12v batteries to supply that power with small chargers to keep them at full charge (sort of a fail safe system).

So, assuming all my information regarding the trailer brakes getting power from the TV is correct, I just want to verify that switch is also powered from the TV.

My goal is to power my trailer via a solar generator with alternator charging that will be located in the bed of the Silveraldo. When camped, I will simply plug it into an Anderson connecter attached to the original TT battery connections.

The breakaway switch is not powered by the TV. It is powered by the battery mounted in/on the towable. In an actual "breakaway" your service brakes on your TV no longer control your trailer brakes because your 7 pin connector will most likely be ripped off. Your breakaway cable will pull the pin out of the switch on the tongue closing the contacts sending your towable battery voltage to your brake magnets.

[PhilFromMaine]

Originally Posted by D W

The breakaway switch is not powered by the TV. It is powered by the battery mounted in/on the towable. In an actual "breakaway" your service brakes on your TV no longer control your trailer brakes because your 7 pin connector will most likely be ripped off. Your breakaway cable will pull the pin out of the switch on the tongue closing the contacts sending your towable battery voltage to your brake magnets.

Thank you. What you said is a very logical explanation. It is embarrassing that I didn't think of that.

Thanks to all who replied.

[Rolland]

Originally Posted by D W

The breakaway switch is not powered by the TV. It is powered by the battery mounted in/on the towable. In an actual "breakaway" your service brakes on your TV no longer control your trailer brakes because your 7 pin connector will most likely be ripped off. Your breakaway cable will pull the pin out of the switch on the tongue closing the contacts sending your towable battery voltage to your brake magnets.

I completely agree with D W. Reason why is on our prior fifth wheel we had the electric drum brakes converted to Hydraulic Disc Brakes that used an electronic actuator to operate the hydraulic portion. To bleed the system when installed the mechanic simply pulled the breakaway cable from the switch. Having bleed many brakes on vehicles, it’s the simplest bleeding I’ve seen other than using a machine.