More electric trailer brake issues

Captain, have you got a DC Amp meter? Or a multimeter with a 10A range?
Connect that in *series* with one of the two wires that emerge from the brake drum.
Apply the brake, you should read about 4 Amp with the brake full on.
(I measured that on a single brake drum, using a fully charged battery as a current source.

If you get that the magnet's coil is OK. Insufficient braking can be caused by a layer of thick glazed rust on the surface the magnet glides on.
The mechanism obviously works or your hand brake would not work.

Testing magnets by measuring voltages can be misleading. Magnetic power depends on Ampere/turns. The coil turns are fixed, so with insufficient Amps flowing poor braking results.

You DO need sufficient Volts to push these Amps through the wires. Amps = available Volts divided by the wire (coil & trailer wiring) resistance.
Klaus

Captain
Had a similar problem with the van we bought last year. Came complete with Tekonsha Voyager controller which I installed and wired up to the instructions with it.
On test, the led glowed green, progressing to red as the control was activated. The magnets "buzzed" at the same time but there was no braking effect whatsoever. removed the drums, magnets surface a bit worn, but considered ok.
Jacked a wheel up and applied 12v. at the plug connection - 100% braking, checked both wheels, the same.
Reconnected and checked controller voltage at brakes - 11.5v. but still no braking effect. Disconnected controller at its plug and applied 12v there - 100% brakes so the juice is getting through.
Took controller to auto elec. for testing. He had a gadget which checked its circuits etc. - result - 100% ok.
So re install, static test, road test, led goes from green to red - still no brakes whatsoever.
Scratch head and considered new magnets?? but not convinced.
Spotted a Voyager controller on ebay, so bit the bullet and bought it. ($100 incl postage) Removed the old controller, plugged in the new one - and voila - brakes work perfectly.
Sorry this has been a bit long winded, but the whole sorting out was much the same. It seems controllers can have a problem, (high internal resistance?) even when they test ok.
furph

try these links for info - i think they may even have a phone number?

champion


more elec brakes

My "offroad heavy duty" magnets have very two small holes (maybe 1.5mm or so) drilled into the wearing face - they are only about 3mm deep when the magnet is new - they are supposed to be the wear indicators - no holes left, replace them (and they are about $120 each as I recall !

Dude!

Have you got it sorted yet - if not , member message me as I now refuse to comment on anything in the forum.

I have CT that had the same issues.