Cooling fan runs continuously

[dexstrom]

Well, my bad. While getting ready to leave the campground I found the breakaway connector for the brakes had somehow been pulled. I understand that in that mode there is a continuous electric draw. Should have checked it earlier.

Daniel

[oldmanAZ]

Thanks for the update.

But now you have a potential safety issue to follow up on:
Having the brakes on for that long could have damaged one or more of the brake magnets!

[GrumpyDad]

Originally Posted by oldmanAZ

Thanks for the update.

But now you have a potential safety issue to follow up on:
Having the brakes on for that long could have damaged one or more of the brake magnets!

I've heard of the wiring being damaged from that continuous current too.

Any chance you can visually inspect the brake wires for discoloration or brittleness?

[dexstrom]

Originally Posted by GrumpyDad

I've heard of the wiring being damaged from that continuous current too.

Any chance you can visually inspect the brake wires for discoloration or brittleness?

Well I know nothing about any of that, how would I check the brake magnets? Or is that something that a tire shop would need to inspect? I suppose I can visually check the wiring, The brakes worked fine when I left the campground but I didn't drive very far or do any hard braking. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Daniel

[ALJO]

Wiring should be OK unless bad connections, but magnet spool might overheat and burn internally.

[oldmanAZ]

As a guess, the axle manufacturer probably has a current draw specification. If so, a clamp-on ammeter might be the best way to check.

I don't know if the usual tire shop would know much about RV trailer brakes.

[hummy]

I notice my fan was running continuous when hook to shore power. I forgot to turn off my disconnect switch.

[paul_ottawa]

Originally Posted by GrumpyDad

I've heard of the wiring being damaged from that continuous current too.

Any chance you can visually inspect the brake wires for discoloration or brittleness?

My neighbor had accidentally pulled the emergency brake when he was at a campsite for a week and the wires were damaged and he had no more brakes. He had to be home and couldn't get it fixed so he ended up driving ~1000 nerve-racking miles home before he could fix it.

[33 RLDS]

Originally Posted by dexstrom

Well, my bad. While getting ready to leave the campground I found the breakaway connector for the brakes had somehow been pulled. I understand that in that mode there is a continuous electric draw. Should have checked it earlier.

Daniel

I mentioned doing that on post #7

Glad you figured it out

[venoran]

If the wires look good and not melted/discolored, then you're probably fine there.

Just hook the trailer to your tow vehicle, manually activate the trailer brakes (every controller I've seen has a manual lever/button) and take your foot off the brake on the tow vehicle (don't touch the accelerator pedal). The trailer brakes should be able to keep the vehicle stopped when you release the brakes.

I do this occasionally when I hook up my trailer just to check that everything is ok, if the trailer brakes hold my truck then I let go of the brake controller lever and away we go on the next towing adventure.

If the brakes don't hold or one side seems to move while the other holds, then you've got problems.