Otis Singleton
Electric brakes are an essential component of vehicles, and it is crucial to ensure they are functioning correctly for safety. Brake magnets play a vital role in the braking system, and regular checks are necessary to identify any potential issues. While the process of inspecting brake magnets may seem daunting, there are several straightforward methods that individuals can employ to determine their condition. This introduction will discuss the importance of checking electric brake magnets and provide an overview of the various techniques available for testing their functionality. By understanding the significance of brake magnet maintenance and the different testing approaches, individuals can proactively ensure the reliability and safety of their vehicles' braking systems.
Characteristics and Values of Electric Brake Magnet Checks
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visual Inspection | Check for abnormal wear and tear, such as windings showing through the friction surface, pitting, or changes in the magnet's surface. |
| Tool Inspection | Use a straight edge tool to check if the edge of the magnet is parallel to the tool. |
| Copper Coil Inspection | Inspect the center of the magnet for exposed copper coils, indicating wear. |
| Grease or Oil Residue Inspection | Visually inspect for grease or oil residue, which may require magnet replacement. |
| Short Circuit Inspection | Disconnect leads and strain relief to check for short circuits. |
| Ammeter Test | Connect an ammeter to the positive and negative battery terminals and magnet wires to measure amperage. Compare the reading to the specified amount to determine if the magnet or leads need replacement. |
| Compass Test | Place a compass near the wheel and note the needle direction. Pull the break-away pin and observe if the needle deflects, indicating the magnets are engaging. |
| Multimeter Test | Set a multimeter to Ohms and connect it to the positive and negative magnet wires. Compare the reading to the specified resistance range for your brake magnet size. If outside the range, the magnet may need replacement. |
| Battery Check | Ensure the battery used for the breakaway switch is fully charged. |
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What You'll Learn
Check for magnet wear and winding visibility
To check for magnet wear and winding visibility, you should first inspect the magnets for any signs of abnormal wear. If there are visible signs of wear and tear on the magnets, such as exposed windings, then the magnets will need to be replaced. This is because, at this stage, the magnets are worn to the point of being unserviceable.
However, it is important to note that magnets can also fail without showing any visible signs of wear and tear. So, if there are no visible signs of wear on the magnets, further testing is required to determine if they need to be replaced.
To perform this test, you must first ensure that the trailer is not connected, as there is a risk of shorting out the brake controller and other electrical components if it is. Once you have confirmed that the trailer is disconnected, you can then test the brake magnets with an ammeter.
Connect the ammeter between the positive battery terminal of a separate battery and one of the magnet wires. Then, connect the other magnet wire to the negative battery terminal. By checking the amperage, you can determine if the magnet needs to be replaced. If the amperage is greater than the specified amount, the magnet should be replaced. If the reading is less than the specified amount, it indicates that the leads are bad and the magnet needs to be replaced.
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Use a magnetic compass to verify magnet actuation
Using a magnetic compass is a simple way to verify magnet actuation on your electric brakes. This method will confirm whether your magnets are working, but it won't tell you if your brakes are adjusted properly.
- Set a compass near the bottom of your wheel, between the spokes, so it's close to the brake drum. Take note of the direction the compass needle is pointing.
- Pull the breakaway pin.
- Verify that the needle on the compass deflects.
- Replace the breakaway pin.
- Repeat these steps for each wheel.
If the compass needle deflects, your brake magnets are engaging. If there is no deflection, further troubleshooting is required. It's important to note that the needle may not point directly towards the magnet due to the broad magnetic field that is set up.
Additionally, you may want to have someone assist with the test by applying the brakes while you observe the compass needle. This will verify that your tow vehicle brake wiring and controller are functioning correctly.
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Inspect for grease or oil residue
To inspect for grease or oil residue on your electric brake magnets, you must first locate the brake magnet. Once located, take a straight edge tool and lay it across the top of the magnet. If the edge of the magnet is not parallel to the straight edge, this indicates abnormal wear and the magnet will need to be replaced.
Next, check the centre of the magnet for any copper coil. If you can see any coil, this is another sign that the magnet is worn out and needs replacing. It is also important to visually inspect the magnet for any grease or oil residue. If any is found, the magnet will need to be replaced.
It is important to note that the presence of grease or oil on the magnet will cause it to be unreliable. You cannot clean the magnet to new, and so it is recommended to replace the entire brake assembly.
To prevent grease from building up on the brake magnet, it is recommended to use a hand grease gun and spin the wheel while greasing once or twice a year. Regular inspection and repacking are also important to maintain the effectiveness of the brakes.
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Test for short circuits
To test for short circuits in electric trailer brakes, you can use a multimeter or a circuit tester.
First, ensure that the trailer is disconnected. If the trailer is connected, there is a risk of shorting out the brake controller or other electrical components.
To test for an internal short in the brake magnet, touch the base of the brake magnet to the negative post of a 12-volt battery. Then, connect one of the brake magnet wires to the negative lead of the multimeter, and the positive lead of the multimeter to the positive post of the battery. If any amperage is detected, the magnet is shorted and needs to be replaced.
You can also test for shorts in the brake output circuit. To do this, use a circuit tester like the PTW2993, with one pin grounded and the other on the output pin. Then, press the brake pedal of the vehicle, and observe if the brake controller operates normally. If the controller does not operate normally, there may be an issue with the vehicle wiring or the trailer.
In addition, you can test for shorts by severing the blue brake output wire near the brake controller, leaving enough room to reconnect it, and then applying the manual slide. Using a circuit tester, you should observe output to the controller side of the wire you severed. If there is no output, the problem may lie in the vehicle wiring or trailer.
Weak trailer brakes can also be an indication of a short or wiring issue. If the trailer is off the ground and the wheels spin with little resistance, there may be insufficient power due to a short or wiring problem.
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Measure the amperage
Measuring amperage is a simple way to determine whether a magnet on an electric brake is weak or completely failed. To do this, you can use a multimeter or ammeter.
First, ensure the trailer is not connected. If it is, you run the risk of shorting out the brake controller or other electrical components.
Then, set your multimeter to Ohms. Place the negative probe on one of the brake magnet wires, and the positive probe on the other magnet wire. If the multimeter produces a reading below or above the specified resistance range for your brake magnet size, then the brake is faulty and needs to be changed.
Alternatively, to test with an ammeter, connect the ammeter between the positive battery terminal of a separate battery and one of the magnet wires. Then, connect the other magnet wire to the negative battery terminal. Check the amperage—if it is greater than the specified amount, replace the magnet. If the reading is less than the specified amount, the leads are bad and the magnet should be replaced.
It is important to note that a multimeter or ammeter may not always detect a weak magnet. While this is a simple test, it is recommended to also check for signs of wear and tear on the magnet, such as visible windings, pitting, or grease and oil residue.
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Frequently asked questions
You can test the amperage in a few ways. One way is to use a magnetic compass to verify that the magnets are actuating when you apply the brakes. You can also test the amperage with an ammeter.
First, make sure the trailer is not connected when performing this test. Connect the ammeter between the positive battery terminal of a separate battery and one of the magnet wires. Then, connect the other magnet wire to the negative battery terminal. Check the amperage, and if the amperage is greater than the specified amount, replace the magnet.
Take a straight edge tool and lay it across the top of the magnet. The edge of the magnet should be parallel to the straight edge all the way across. Any pitting or changes in the magnet's surface indicate abnormal wear and the magnet should be replaced. If the windings inside the magnet are visible, then it's time to replace the magnet.
With your car powered on, activate the brakes through the pedal or electric control panel. Measure the amount of current coming from the connector to the brake wires. If the current goes above or below your recommended specification, then the controller or wires may be bad and need to be changed.
You can use a multimeter to test for a short circuit. If you get any ampere reading from the multimeter, then there is an internal short in your brake magnet and it needs to be replaced.
