Brake controller wiring - ignition or direct battery?

[MalcomM Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close MalcomM]

Hi
Just installed a Tekonsha brake controller.

How many of you have the +12v coming direct from the battery as opposed to via the ignition switch?
Instructions are to go direct but then its always drawing power...

[Octane94 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Octane94]

wiring to acc opposed to battery is the same thing but acc doesnt drain battery.. and its easier.

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

I always thought the idea was that trailer brakes are available without the engine running to provide emergency brakes at all times. When I wired up a mate's 4wd recently I gave him the option and he decided to do it as per instructions and connect to a constant 12V supply.

[mackayvx Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close mackayvx]

Mate check the power usage...
Its in the 'milliamps' category...
Im not good on a calculator but it would take hundreds of hours for a brake controller on its own to drain a battery...

[jhiace Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jhiace]

The brake controller goes to sleep after a short time so it's never going to flatten your battery. I always run them off the battery

[Ron.H. Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ron.H.]

I did mine direct to the battery as per instructions then you will always have rear caravan brakes when you want them.
Then you could turn the engine off if stopped on a hill and still have those extra brakes if needed, if wired direct to battery.
I actually take the controller unit out when not in use.
Ron.

[MalcomM Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close MalcomM]

Well I have teh unit wired direct but it seems a little counter intuative. Leaving teh car off but brakes energised means you are pulling quite a few amps from the battery which is why I considered moving it to the IGN circuit.
However Rons

Then you could turn the engine off if stopped on a hill and still have those extra brakes if needed

clicnched teh argument and I'll leave it on teh battery.

Thanks for all the replies.

Malcom

[brett004 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close brett004]

I would also protect the main cable from the battery with an auto reset circuit breaker and not a fuse so that in the event of a fault it will trip and reset and not leave you without any brakes.

[chester ver 2.0 Member Find all posts View Profile Close chester ver 2.0]

Battery but with a twist
I have the brake controller, hot wire to number 2 pin and anderson plug all going through an in cab switch so i can shut it down if required