Tralier Brakes

[1979jimmy350]

How are trailer brakes normaly wire to a truck. I belive that my truck already has the wire for them on it. I have two good size wires running the length of my frame that are taped off near my hitch. At the other end one runs to the junction box where the trailer harness hooks in to and the other looks like it is a ground that was cut because it is just laying there.

With this system do i need a brake controler in the cab?
How would i wire into the trailer it has four brakes on it?

 

[Geargrinder]

As far as I know, ALL electrical trailer brake sys. need an "in cab" controller.
The way that moste of them are wired is:
1) wire from brake light switch to controller
2) wire from batt.+ (with 30A fuse) to controller
3) wire from ground to controller
4) wire from controller to trailer plug

Hope that helps, if I missed any thing I'm sure some one else will spot it

 

[Boondocks]

Also the heavy ground to the trailer plug.

 

[1979jimmy350]

So what exactly does the controler do? i have never messed with trailer brakes before so i am trying to learn

 

[Geargrinder]

There are 3 types:
1) the old style that taped into the hydralic brake sys. so the trailer brakes worked in unison with the truck
2) "time delayed" they start with a low signal when U 1st put your'e foot on the brake, then they gradualy increase the signal strength till it hit the max voltage (U set the max signal with a dile)
3) "pendulum style" they have a little gizmo in 'em that has to be leveld and set just right so it will work all most as good as the old style.

I use the "time delay" style my self, it simple and eazy to set, and it works great for me.