Quote:
Originally Posted by NewBlackDak
I met a camper yesterday that rigged a way to apply the brakes when parked. Has anyone else ever seen it?
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The only way I know of using the brakes on a TT is by putting a jumper in the TT's cable to the TV. You would have to put a jumper in the brake pin and the 12VDC pin of the cable. I did not think this was a good idea because of the heat generated... So I thought I would contact Dexter to see what their thoughts were...
Not recommended.. See below response....
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Donald ,
Although the Dexter Axle electric brakes can tolerate being on for extended periods of time without damage we
strongly recommend against it. We have tested Dexter Axle magnets being powered for over 24 hours with no damage but they do get quite hot with the potential to damage wire insulation.
Leaving 4 brakes on continuous would draw about 12 amperes from the battery and unless it is a very large battery with a battery charger it would deplete a battery in several hours. The electric magnets have weakened magnetic force when hot so the brakes would not be at full strength even if the trailer were to try to roll. Using the electric brakes as a park brake seems unwise when using wheel chocks would accomplish the same thing without any energy consumption and waste.
In the USA RV trailers are not required to have parking brakes, but in those vehicles where parking brakes are required (commercial trucks) the law requires the park brake not be powered by any energy source that can "Leak down". For example, park brakes cannot be powered by air pressure, vacuum, hydraulic pressure or electricity.
Duane Belisle
Dexter Axle