Author Topic: Electric brakes (Read 6439 times)

vicandug · « **on:** January 17, 2014, 09:16:32 AM »

Hi all.

In case you haven't heard we are getting an outback tanami camper trailer.
We have to book the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder Ti 550 in to have electric brakes.

When we called to get prices from 2 auto elecs they both told us we have to have an additional battery charger put on the car. He did tell Ug why but he can't remember.

We used to have Patrol and didn't have to have one out on for that car to tow the old outback Sturt.

The brand of brakes Ug wants is Tekonsha P3. (Apparently the best?)

Our camper comes with a battery charger?

Are there any technical people who can tell us..... Is this needed??? Or are we being ripped off?.

Vicki

weeds · « **Reply #1 on:** January 17, 2014, 09:23:17 AM »

ummm, in all the research I did when installing my electric over hydraulic.....not electric I know but I don't see the need for a battery charger on the car.....

GGV8Cruza · « **Reply #2 on:** January 17, 2014, 09:28:19 AM »

Does not sound quite right, maybe they are trying to get your batteries in the camper hooked up while you are driving to charge, anything mentioned about DcDc.

Where are you located as we might be able to put you onto someone that has an idea what they are doing

GG

Mace · « **Reply #3 on:** January 17, 2014, 09:28:56 AM »

sounds strange to me

Have a look see at this:

Installation of a Trailer Brake Controller on a 2011 Nissan Pathfinder - etrailer.com (The video's owner prevents external embedding)

fitting a brake controller to a 2011 Pathfinder (Yankee version)

weeds · « **Reply #4 on:** January 17, 2014, 09:34:16 AM »

Quote from: GGPatrol on January 17, 2014, 09:28:19 AM

Does not sound quite right, maybe they are trying to get your batteries in the camper hooked up while you are driving to charge, anything mentioned about DcDc.

Where are you located as we might be able to put you onto someone that has an idea what they are doing

GG

are yes good point....but either way its not required for brakes...maybe trying to get an extra sale

Vicki, are you able to charge the trailer battery currently while driving along?

vicandug · « **Reply #5 on:** January 17, 2014, 11:42:44 AM »

Thanks for your replies.

We are also getting Anderson plug fitted to the car at he same time.
We are in Cockatoo Vic.

Vicki

chester ver2.0 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 17, 2014, 11:47:17 AM »

Quote from: vicandug on January 17, 2014, 11:42:44 AM

Thanks for your replies.

We are also getting Anderson plug fitted to the car at he same time.
We are in Cockatoo Vic.

Vicki

OK based on this then yes not a battery charger per se but you will need some sort of voltage sensing relay for the anderson plug if it is being run of the cranking battery of the car

BigJules · « **Reply #7 on:** January 17, 2014, 01:57:41 PM »

I'd advise picking up a P3 from eBay for ~$164, then get your auto sparkie to install it. Local retailers can't buy them as cheaply as you can off the net.

vicandug · « **Reply #8 on:** January 17, 2014, 02:09:09 PM »

Is it a P3 that is needed???

We have NFI!

Mace · « **Reply #9 on:** January 17, 2014, 02:16:49 PM »

Tekonsha P3 are good units, will do you fine.

Might be worthwhile posting up what you have been quoted on what.

Also, where are you? Swaggers have been known to work for

Goose · « **Reply #10 on:** January 17, 2014, 02:21:42 PM »

Could be one of 2 things:

1) My neighbor has a 3T caravan with a brakeaway brake system, as required for any van over 2T. The brakeaway brakes in the van have their own discrete battery and this battery is charged from the tug car using alternator power. However you wouldn't need anything like that as your camper is probably well under 2T. The weight of your camper will probably be on the compliance plate on the draw bar, to give you an idea.

or

2) The "additional charger" they are talking about may be a DCDC charger. These are designed to improve the performance of charging 12V DC batteries in the camper via your Anderson plug cabling. There is a lot opinion about their need and usefulness and it all depends upon your touring/camping style. So do some research as they are not cheap. They are really suited to "tourers" not "destination" campers. In any case, you should defo get the Anderson plug installed. Note that this DCDC charger is totally seperate to the charger you probably already have, which would be an ACDC charger (ie takes 240V from the AC powerpoint at home and charges the DC battery).

FYI This page lists a lot of good info about brake controllers: http://www.campertrailers.org/brake_controllers.htm

Blue Bravo · « **Reply #11 on:** January 17, 2014, 02:29:13 PM »

1) My neighbor has a 3T caravan with a brakeaway brake system, as required for any van over 2T. The brakeaway brakes in the van have their own discrete battery and this battery is charged from the tug car using alternator power. However you wouldn't need anything like that as your camper is probably well under 2T. The weight of your camper will probably be on the compliance plate on the draw bar, to give you an idea.
In NSW it has been law but not enforced up till now that the tow vehicle of a van over 2 ton ATM with breakaway breaks has to be fitted with a battery monitor to monitor the state of the Breakaway Brake System. Found this out when I had the van inspected recently. The Inspectors have been advised that they are not to pass a van without one fitted to the tow vehicle even if the van is in perfect working order.
Maybe your Auto Electricians are thinking on these lines or maybe they are just trying to sting you .

Goose · « **Reply #12 on:** January 17, 2014, 02:32:05 PM »

Quote from: Blue Bravo on January 17, 2014, 02:29:13 PM

1) My neighbor has a 3T caravan with a brakeaway brake system, as required for any van over 2T. The brakeaway brakes in the van have their own discrete battery and this battery is charged from the tug car using alternator power. However you wouldn't need anything like that as your camper is probably well under 2T. The weight of your camper will probably be on the compliance plate on the draw bar, to give you an idea.
In NSW it has been law but not enforced up till now that the tow vehicle of a van over 2 ton ATM with breakaway breaks has to be fitted with a battery monitor to monitor the state of the Breakaway Brake System. Found this out when I had the van inspected recently. The Inspectors have been advised that they are not to pass a van without one fitted to the tow vehicle even if the van is in perfect working order.
Maybe your Auto Electricians are thinking on these lines or maybe they are just trying to sting you .

You've just jogged my memory and i think that brakeaway battery monitor in the tug is what my neighbor has installed now. Ta.

vicandug · « **Reply #13 on:** January 17, 2014, 02:33:00 PM »

We are in cockatoo

We have been quoted

$700 for elec brakes and Anderson plug.

Might need a booster because new cars don't recognise 2nd batteries and car battery will be charged but ct might not.

Ct has a M300c-tek battery charger to charge 2 x 120 amp AGM batteries. He couldn't find the paperwork to see if that is enough but if not we will also need the booster which will cos $300 to $400 depending on strength needed

All up he said either $700 or $1100.

Thanks so much for all your help.

Vic and Ug.

Goose · « **Reply #14 on:** January 17, 2014, 02:53:03 PM »

I think i know whats going on. Your pathfinder is series 4 and has a variable voltage alternator. As such, the alternator only outputs full voltage for a short time after starting. Then it drops the alternator voltage down to a modest level and it will never be enough to charge the camper batteries.

This is why you need the extra stuff. My guess is you'll be on the $1100 side not the $700 side.

The other option is the "green wire mod" which you can read about on www.pcoa.org.au - it will make the alternator output full voltage all the time.

If you go ahead with the work make sure you test it with your camper, to see that you get a good voltage at the camper batteries with the engine running.

vicandug · « **Reply #15 on:** January 17, 2014, 03:06:42 PM »

Goose.... I had a look at what it says about the green wire mod. I am wondering if that would affect the warranty on the car at all.

Goose · « **Reply #16 on:** January 17, 2014, 03:13:47 PM »

I can't say that unfortunately, only Nissan. My guess is yes, if you did the green wire mod and then tried a warranty call on the alternator, then i reckon Nissan would have an issue. However alternators are cheap, so the real question is around the other electrical parts such as the computer. They cost big $$$. If you don't feel safe or sure, then just go with the booster. It may be $400 but its a contained cost.

That said, you can get the green wire cut and have the bare ends terminated onto Anderson Power Poles (or other plug-in terminals) such that the wire can be reconnected quickly and easily if it causes a problem. Your auto elec may not do the green wire mod for you, as they would want to avoid any liability or risk. Their preference would be to use this booster thing.

BigJules · « **Reply #17 on:** January 17, 2014, 06:35:27 PM »

I'll do it for $1000. $700 for brakes and an Anderson plug seems at least $200 too much, and that is using the best gear. I am not a fan if dc-dc but they work.

Julian

vicandug · « **Reply #18 on:** January 17, 2014, 08:29:24 PM »

Thanks Big Jules but it would cost too much in fuel if you are still in sydney

Mace · « **Reply #19 on:** January 17, 2014, 08:33:36 PM »

Quote from: vicandug on January 17, 2014, 08:29:24 PM

Thanks Big Jules but it would cost too much in fuel if you are still in sydney

BJ is known for doing quick runs down south. He may or may not be joking

Any excuse for a trip eh BJ?

GGV8Cruza · « **Reply #20 on:** January 17, 2014, 08:37:19 PM »

From reading you are after a brake controller to be fitted to the Pathfinder and a charing cable for the camper. Is that correct? So you have a second battery in the camper or any type of solenoid. I have been known to tinker in the 12v black art

GG

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Author Topic: Electric brakes (Read 6439 times)