I've got my FIL's trailer and it has a brake axle on the rear and both wires on each hub are black (snipped off). Does it matter which wire is the ground/hot and what happens if I cross them? I wired them and did a test pull and could tell that they are working but I think I need to adjust them. My Jordan says it throwing @ 3amps turned all the way up...sound about right? Hopefully I don't have to re-do it but if I do, I do. I had to run all the wires from the hub to the plug.

Also, when adjusting do I push up or down on the star wheel to tighten?

 

There is no polarity on the magnets.

Make sure you have good connections, hot and ground. I have seen many production trailers with grounds pop riveted to the frame.

If they are new, it may take a few good stops to make them work good.

To adjust 10" and 12"ers, snug down the adjusters and back off 5-7 clicks. If everything is installed properly, the star wheel will go up......your brake spoon will go down to tighten.

Magnets draw between 1.8-3 amps ea. at 12v. The length and size of the feed wire will change the overall current draw and fed voltage on the system. That should just give you a reference point. 8+ amps means all magnets are working.

Enjoy the new brakes!

 

Trailer lighting (Modulite)
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/....html?t=242893


Trailer Anti-Theft & Power Harness Correction

http://www.allpar.com/fix/electrical...er-wiring.html


Brake Inspection
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...6&postcount=11


Generic Brake Wiring Diagram
http://www.championtrailers.com/Elec...l%20wiring.pdf

 

The brakes are essentially wired in parallel. Also worth noting, the two conductor wire often used on trailer brakes has two layers of insulation, the inner one being translucent and easy to miss while stripping if you didn't know it was there.

For adjusting, with the axle safely off the ground (jack plus safety stand) and the tire/wheel installed, spin the tire/wheel forward while adjusting the star wheel out until you can't turn the wheel. Then back the star wheel off until you can turn the tire freely, plus about 4 or 5 good bites more on the star wheel... Running the adjuster out until they are tight is necessary to get them centered properly.

Unlike manual adjusting hydraulic drums (really old cars) when properly adjusted you will still hear a skiffing on electric brake axles, which will be the magnet running along the armature surface.

Both Dexter and Al-Ko have very nice downloadable pdf manuals for free.

Under "Service Information" select complete service manual.

http://www.dexteraxle.com/products___literature

And here, just click on "Owner's Manual".


http://www.al-kousa.com/

It is worth it to save both to your hard drive.

While you are messing with it, it might be a good time to pull the drums for a repack and brake inspection.

 

Man, ya'll are alright!!! Thanks and this will give me another weekend project.