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GLBCamper View Drop Down
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Joined: 30 Jun 2015
Location: Oregon
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Posts: 274 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Breakaway switch
    Posted: 12 May 2016 at 7:58pm
Does anyone regularly test the breakaway switch. Bargman has instructions on how do to it but I've never seen anyone say they've actually done it and nothing is mentioned the the forum "manual." So do you test yours? Annually? Or?
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 May 2016 at 8:09pm
I have tested mine a few times, particularly after working on the trailer or when noticing strange brake behavior. I have read reports of defective switches so periodic testing is probably smart. The test is easy if you have a clamp on ammeter. The brakes should draw about 4 Amps per wheel or 8 amps per axle. 
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Leo B View Drop Down
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Posts: 4517 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 May 2016 at 8:10pm
Hmmm  never have tested that.
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fwunder View Drop Down
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Posts: 1676 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 May 2016 at 9:23pm
I test mine every six months or 3,000 miles. Whichever comes first.

I test by using 4 frozen peas, 2 each on opposite fenders....

Oh, never mind. I decided to suspend my pea campaign.

To be honest, I would concentrate much more on hitch hookup and safety pin , safety chains and walk around. If the trailer got away from you, it was probably because you ignored one of those.

The frozen pea on the fender thing works, but it's complicated.

Fred
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furpod View Drop Down
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 May 2016 at 9:03am
A couple times over the last couple years.. OK, twice since new..

I have pulled the cable and then use a compass to see if they were energizing the magnets. They were. Good enough for me.
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GLBCamper View Drop Down
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Posts: 274 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 May 2016 at 1:04pm
Here are the instructions from the Bargman site:

"To test an electric breakaway system, you will have to have the trailer hitched to the tow vehicle. You will also want to check the state of charge in the breakaway battery, it should be fully charged. Step 1- Unplug the trailer connector from the tow vehicle. Step 2- Pull the pin straight out of the breakaway switch. This will require approximately 40 pounds of pull to remove the pin. Step 3- Attempt to pull the trailer with the tow vehicle. The trailer wheels will rotate a little, to apply the brakes. The brakes should then be set hard enough to not allow the trailer to roll freely. If the trailer rolls freely, service breakaway system or trailer brakes and retest. Step 4- Reinsert the pin into the breakaway switch and reconnect the trailer plug to the tow vehicle. NOTE: The lack of heavy brake application could be due to the brakes being out of adjustment, low breakaway battery voltage or a heavily loaded trailer."
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