Thread: Electric Brake Controller

Originally Posted by jayray377

Thanks for the link.

Anyone used a wireless controller such as below?

Portable Electric Brake Controller | Elecbrakes Pty Ltd

Interesting, thanks. I can see the attraction of not having to find somewhere in the dash to mount the controller, especially in a car that's so tight on space like the DS. However, as the controller is attached to the trailer rather than the car, you'd need one controller for each trailer you use - and I have three! Also, I'm a bit puzzled where it gets the power to operate the brakes, which require a constant feed of up to 30Amps depending on the size of trailer. In their wiring diagram they show the power coming from pin 2 which is already used for reversing lights if you have a caravan or camper trailer. Then in the instructions they say using this pin is optional and it can be connected to any permanent 12v supply, which would mean running another wire to the trailer just to operate the brakes, which kinda defeats the point of it being wireless, doesn't it, or have I missed something

Originally Posted by Peefjay

Thanks Mamil, I've got a recent D5 and am keen to have a look for the plug. I wouldn't mind betting that The two D4's I have had and paid through the nose to get the brake controller fitted, probably have the plug as well. I read somewhere that the plug is actually a Ford plug from the mid 2000's. So who knows. Anyway I am sick of being treated with disdain when I ask these so called experts technical questions.
Cheers
Peefjay

Hi Peefjay,
Sorry, haven't been on the forum for a while, and now catching up with a few posts.
Hope you've sorted your brake controller by now. I notice there's a couple of threads on the D5 forum about installing a brake controller, and it seems the pre-wiring is same as the DS so it should be pretty easy.

Originally Posted by Mamil

Interesting, thanks. I can see the attraction of not having to find somewhere in the dash to mount the controller, especially in a car that's so tight on space like the DS. However, as the controller is attached to the trailer rather than the car, you'd need one controller for each trailer you use - and I have three! Also, I'm a bit puzzled where it gets the power to operate the brakes, which require a constant feed of up to 30Amps depending on the size of trailer. In their wiring diagram they show the power coming from pin 2 which is already used for reversing lights if you have a caravan or camper trailer. Then in the instructions they say using this pin is optional and it can be connected to any permanent 12v supply, which would mean running another wire to the trailer just to operate the brakes, which kinda defeats the point of it being wireless, doesn't it, or have I missed something

Thanks for the infomation I did some investigation and found this in their instaltion guide PDF.
Single or Dual Axle Trailers to 4.5 Tonne ATM
Elecbrakes can be wired into the trailers electrical circuit by splicing
into the loom or joining the wires in the trailer plug.
Elecbrakes when connected to the trailers electrical circuit draws power
from multiple circuits.
Pin 7 - Tail Light
Pin 6 - Brake Light
Pin 2 - Auxiliary (optional)

Cherrs
Nick

Originally Posted by Mamil

Interesting, thanks. I can see the attraction of not having to find somewhere in the dash to mount the controller, especially in a car that's so tight on space like the DS. However, as the controller is attached to the trailer rather than the car, you'd need one controller for each trailer you use - and I have three! Also, I'm a bit puzzled where it gets the power to operate the brakes, which require a constant feed of up to 30Amps depending on the size of trailer. In their wiring diagram they show the power coming from pin 2 which is already used for reversing lights if you have a caravan or camper trailer. Then in the instructions they say using this pin is optional and it can be connected to any permanent 12v supply, which would mean running another wire to the trailer just to operate the brakes, which kinda defeats the point of it being wireless, doesn't it, or have I missed something

I did some research and found this in their installation PDF: https://www.elecbrakes.com/wp-conten...uide_V1_D2.pdf
Single or Dual Axle Trailers to 4.5 Tonne ATM
Elecbrakes can be wired into the trailers electrical circuit by splicing
into the loom or joining the wires in the trailer plug.
Elecbrakes when connected to the trailers electrical circuit draws power
from multiple circuits.
Pin 7 - Tail Light
Pin 6 - Brake Light
Pin 2 - Auxiliary (optional)

Cheers
Nick

Hi all, if anyone is still following this thread I have just bought a Redarc loom, part #TPH-006 for $37. Have had a look for the socket but so far it is being elusive

Cheers, Peter

I have contorted my body on ways that seem unnatural and I still cant see or find the trailer brake connection in my 2015 Disco Sport (7 seater). I've just put my towbar on and was hoping to fit the brake controller myself.

There doesnt seem to be any wiring loom behind the ODB3 port on the left of the footwell, and the right hand side is covered by a piece of plastic and from the viewing angle I had, I couldn't see anything that looked remotely like a grey socket...

I read that all Aust DS's were wired for the controller, but I'm starting to think I'm either looking in the wrong spot or it just doesnt have one.

Can anyone give me any pointers? thanks!

---edit---
Found it!

there's a plastic panel concealing the wires and stuff which is released with 3 rectangular press studs (they're a bit different to get off, I had to work both sides as they both press towards the center, I've seen another pic of pressing towards the front of the car with a thin plastic thing) the connector is above the accelerator pedal, clipped away nicely.

Next step is the brake controller!

Originally Posted by Mamil

Well I've had some fun today! As I'm on holiday I thought I'd look into this brake controller thing a bit by going to a few "experts" - another dealer, two of the big 4WD accessory shops, and two local auto-sparkys.

To cut a long story short, the dealer wasn't interested, and the other four all recommended the Redarc Tow-Pro Elite same as Bob and Willem. However, none of them had ever fitted one to a Disco Sport (though two claimed to have, but on further questioning it turns out was a Disco 3 or 4 instead), and all confirmed what my first dealer had told me that you need to run all new wiring, some said through the car by removing trim, and others under the car to avoid this. Prices varied quite a bit from $550 to $850 for supply and fitting.

TBH none of them particularly inspired confidence that I should trust them with the job, nothing specific, they just didn't seem to be able to give straight answers to quite simple questions.

So I came home and decided to do a bit of research for myself. First thing I found was the LR wiring diagram for the Disco Sport Australian Towing Electrics - Attachment 121742

You can see from this that the blue "service brakes" wire seems to go from the trailer socket to a box labelled "Module - Trailer brake controller". Not only that, but the same module also has connections to a fused 30Amp supply from the battery, a ground lead, and a feed from the brake circuit - in fact everything you need for an electric brake controller.
Getting excited now, I had a rummage around behind the panel in the driver's footwell, and sure enough I came across this plug dangling down which had all the wires as specified in the wiring diagram running to it

Attachment 121744

So looks like LR have thoughtfully provided all the connections ready to plug in an electric brake controller. Unbelievable that none of the "experts" I talked to (including my dealer) knew this, and wanted to run completely new wiring

Not sure if thread is still active, but this socket seams to be missing on my MY18 HSE, searched the area Mamil found his, located the brake switch wiring and throttle wiring feeding into the loom, but the trailer module socket doesn't seam to be there. Any thoughts?