What is the deal with my brakes??? - Diesel Forum

I10haulR · 12-13-2005, 06:58 PM

I've got a 40' G/n with dual tandems running an electric/hydraulic brake system. All of a sudden I had no brakes. Took it to trailer place who converted it from vacuum to electric and they said they couldn't find any problems. Well after a lot of thought and anger, I decided to change the battery on the breakaway. Well now I have brakes, but don't know why that battery has anything to do with the actuation? Isn't this just part of the emergency system? Is this a safeguard to let you knmow your battery is bad? Or does it really need the extra current to apply brakes? BTW it's a Carlisle box.

BullHauler · 12-13-2005, 07:07 PM

Why would one change vacuum-over-hydraulic to electric-over-hydraulic??

As to your problem, it sounds to me like a fault in the way it is wired up.

I10haulR · 12-14-2005, 05:37 PM

Cheaper than installing electric vacuum pump and plumbing for 6.0.

Anyway I don't understand why my brakes keep going out. Replaced battery and my brakes only worked until that battery died! I have power to the charge wire?? I need help [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]

I10haulR · 12-14-2005, 07:35 PM

I just got back from checking the battery I replaced and it was fully charged. 12.6v they couldn't test the amps. I'm baffled.

BullHauler · 12-14-2005, 08:00 PM

Something has to be wired wrong.

Your brakes should apply without a battery on the trailer.

That being said, I don't trust any kind of electric brake.

They work when they want and don't when you need them the most.

ritschner · 12-14-2005, 09:54 PM

If you are towing with the 05 and it has an integrated brake controller it will not work with electric over hydraulic brakes.

jimmy · 12-15-2005, 11:41 AM

The electric over hydraulics I checked into had to have a battery to operate, not just for emergency break-away.
I think the info the dealer sent me in an e-mail link was for Carlisle. The pump uses battery AND the 12v power supply from truck to operate pump with the brake controller signal being the signal for electric pump unit's determination of what pressure level to pump up to. The unit has a pressure sensor and its circuit decides the target pressure based on brake controller signal so the brake controller output isn't the pump motor's current feed.

I10haulR · 12-15-2005, 08:25 PM

faulty pump. Thanks guys for the help.

j_apetersen · 12-17-2005, 09:28 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I've got a 40' G/n with dual tandems running an electric/hydraulic brake system. All of a sudden I had no brakes. Took it to trailer place who converted it from vacuum to electric and they said they couldn't find any problems. Well after a lot of thought and anger, I decided to change the battery on the breakaway. Well now I have brakes, but don't know why that battery has anything to do with the actuation? Isn't this just part of the emergency system? Is this a safeguard to let you knmow your battery is bad? Or does it really need the extra current to apply brakes? BTW it's a Carlisle box.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not knowing who to call you I will just speak in general. Your problem is probly wiring, and battery. If the battery on the trailer is not big enough to handle the amount of braking then you have no brakes. if the wiring is not hooked up properly then no brakes. Carlisle box are not the greates for your application dexter makes a better activator. First try looking at the activator and determan if it is a 1000lbs or 16oolbs. if you have shoes 1000 works if you have pads then 1600 must be, then check wire the battery on the trailer MUST be hooked to the activator. bigger the battery the better. 5 amp brakaways do not work good for this application. they are made for one application only. for one stop if the trailer becomes unhooked.PM me if you want it fixed.