Member - Oldplodder (QLD) replied:

Not sure if there is a correct setup.
Have seen both. Split at the middle and a side feed.

Problem I suppose is minimising voltage drop. Going to one centre point and splitting gives even voltage, and saves electrical wire.

My CT has it to one side, then across the axle to the other side.

As far as I can see if the wire is heavy enough to the first brake before it feeds the other brake, should be OK, and it cuts out connectors, which can fail with all the water around from rain and creek crossings.

Other thing I have done is use fence wire to fasten the electrical wires (in split conduit) to the axle. Plastic zip ties get broken by stones too easily.

Seakarvan replied:

Thanks John,
Makes sense to "minimise resistance and equalise current distribution"
Whatever that means!

Mate, I'll try the centre and equal lengths to both brakes from there 1st. and give that a burl.

I'm 60 and still remember the old man always packing a few coils of fencing wire for the old slope back Hillman and a home made trailer on all our trips.

Hubs, backing plate, brakes and bearings are all new because the originals (2nd hand van) were shot. The wiring (at connection points at least) were likewise.

Thanks for your help

Seakarvan

Ray replied:

I have recently re-wired the brakes on my tandem axle caravan. I used 8 aswg for the main cables with 10 aswg to the brakes. These cables were all pre-soldered before installation. The main
(8 aswg) are run at the centre of the c'van through conduit saddled to the floor of the c'van with the four branches, also in conduit and saddled to the floor running of at right angles to the brakes. Flexible split conduit is used from the fixed conduit to the brakes. The cables from the magnets are connected to the power cables by insulated spade connectors which enables the magnets to be changed without too many hassles.
The conduit that I used was ordinary electrians white conduit with one four way and one three way terminal box.
I have also seen cables for brakes run in black 12mm sprinkler hose.

P.S. I noticed that you turned the axle over???? Did you put the brake drums back in their original position?????

Dunaruna replied:

The correct way to wire electric brakes is to have a central trunk from the plug and equal length branches going to each wheel, that way each magnet is getting exactly the same amps. Soldering each connection (with shrink tube to seal the joint) will also minimise resistance.

The ONLY reason you would see it done any other way is due to cost cutting by the van manufacturer.

Paul Grabonski. Vic replied:

are you aware how dangerous and is against the law to turn over axles. There was a case before the courts 3 wks ago in SA where the insurance company refused to pay because of axle failure due to axles been turned over. Vehicle and caravan were wrecked. Insurance company won. Guy was $130k down the drain.
If you need clearance change to straight axles or get a certified engineer to give you a certificate and design to raise the suspension with a spacer from the chassis.
You are not only endangering your life but the life of other road users.

Seakarvan replied:

Hi Paul,
Can you provide any more details of the example you raised? In particular, did this case (turned axles over) breach SA and/or the national Standards?

regards

Seakarvan