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Topic ClosedAdding a wire harness and e brake controller?

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dayman View Drop Down
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Joined: 07 Apr 2016
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Adding a wire harness and e brake controller?
    Posted: 08 Apr 2016 at 1:28pm
I am adding a 7 pin wire harness and electronic brake controller to my tow vehicle (2010 Jeep wrangler JKU). It has an existing OEM 4 pin harness and tow package currently. 

Right now I have:

http://www.hopkinstowingsolutions.com/products/brake-controllers/insight-flex-mount-brake-control.html

http://www.hopkinstowingsolutions.com/products/vehicle-wiring-connectors/7-rv-blade/multi-tow_74_adapter.html

Based on videos on youtube it looks like I need some grey duplex to run power. 

Would any one suggest and inline fuse on the positive from the battery? what gauge of wire would you recommend? What amp size? 

Thank you in advance. Any other suggestions welcomed. 

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Apr 2016 at 6:09pm

The Hopkins installation instructions say this:

1. Be sure to use proper wire gauge when installing your control
(12 gauge for electric brakes and positive power, 16 gauge for
the stop lamp switch and ground).

3. Attach 20-amp circuit breaker (for 6 or 8 brake use 30-amp)
or in-line fuse to the positive terminal on the vehicle’s battery.
Route black wire from the brake control to the fuse or breaker.


This, from etrailer.com may be helpful. The kit has about everything you might need. The wiring diagram (scroll down) is easy to figure out. What I would do differently is use at least 8ga. wire for the 12v back to the 7 way plug. This is the wire that will charge your Pod's battery when driving. DC voltage drops quickly with distance so, bigger wire is better. For this reason, I would also upsize the brake wire to 10ga. (Their kit comes with 10ga.) You can purchase just about all of the stuff in their kit from most any auto parts store.

etrailer install kit

Also, they have an install video for a Jeep Liberty....don't know if it would be the same, or not.
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Apr 2016 at 11:12am
+1 on David's recommendations.  Why installers and kits always supply 12 gauge for the +12 is beyond me.  It is way, way too small.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Apr 2016 at 3:36pm
Got it done. Only took a couple of hours! Thanks for the advice, wire diagram was the missing link I needed
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Apr 2016 at 6:40pm

Glad to hear everything worked out. It is really not too bad of a job. The worst part (I think) is wallowing around under the vehicle to run the wires. The rest is mostly cut and splice.

You do realize that this makes you the new "forum expert" regarding brake controller wiring!   
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