Members of the forum - what gauge of wire do you suggest I wire a break-away switch to the van brakes? Is so-called 4mm, 15A (1.85mm2 wire size) that Repco sells, suitable? I'm thinking heavier (4mm wire). My van does not have to have this system fitted but taking macca17's advice (from an earlier posting), I've bought one - the short length of wire supplied might be 2mm2.
Treecrest said
06:08 PM Jul 5, 2018
I'd suggest you match what ever size is on the pull out switch. This only activates the electric brake system and not the actual brakes.
JBDUBBO said
06:21 PM Jul 5, 2018
The Breakaway unit as you would know is connected via the A bar switch to the vans electric brakes so the cables should be the same gauge as the brakes which should be minimum of 4mm. Here in NSW we have to wire a monitor in the car and a independent charge circuit just to the Breakaway battery . The unit should have a black wire for charge and a purple for the monitor.
The monitor tells you what charge the 7 amp/hour battery is at every time you touch the brakes, a great safety device.
Warren-Pat_01 said
09:48 AM Jul 6, 2018
Thank you - you have confirmed my thoughts. I'll get some 4mm wire today.
I find it interesting that some wire is sold on the insulation thickness/total diameter (& the same current rating eg 15A) while other is sold on wire diameter.
PeterD said
09:20 AM Jul 10, 2018
Warren-Pat_01 wrote:
My van does not have to have this system fitted but taking macca17's advice (from an earlier posting), I've bought one - the short length of wire supplied might be 2mm2.
What have you actually purchased? Was it a complete breakaway system or just the switch? You need more than a simple switch, you also need circuitry to illuminate the break lights when the the brakes are applied. There is no provision in the law to excuse you from having operating brake lights with breakaway brakes. Your van can be considered unroadworthy without that function, just like you will get pinged if your tug does not have functioning brake lights.
Warren-Pat_01 said
05:26 PM Jul 11, 2018
G'day Peter,
I bought the Hopkins "The Engager" kit - complete except for the wires/cable to hook it up. The only reasoning was to ensure that I am "safer" as the ATM is 1950kg "& doesn't have to by law have the system fitted as standard.
Members of the forum - what gauge of wire do you suggest I wire a break-away switch to the van brakes? Is so-called 4mm, 15A (1.85mm2 wire size) that Repco sells, suitable? I'm thinking heavier (4mm wire). My van does not have to have this system fitted but taking macca17's advice (from an earlier posting), I've bought one - the short length of wire supplied might be 2mm2.
The Breakaway unit as you would know is connected via the A bar switch to the vans electric brakes so the cables should be the same gauge as the brakes which should be minimum of 4mm. Here in NSW we have to wire a monitor in the car and a independent charge circuit just to the Breakaway battery . The unit should have a black wire for charge and a purple for the monitor.
The monitor tells you what charge the 7 amp/hour battery is at every time you touch the brakes, a great safety device.
I find it interesting that some wire is sold on the insulation thickness/total diameter (& the same current rating eg 15A) while other is sold on wire diameter.
What have you actually purchased? Was it a complete breakaway system or just the switch? You need more than a simple switch, you also need circuitry to illuminate the break lights when the the brakes are applied. There is no provision in the law to excuse you from having operating brake lights with breakaway brakes. Your van can be considered unroadworthy without that function, just like you will get pinged if your tug does not have functioning brake lights.
I bought the Hopkins "The Engager" kit - complete except for the wires/cable to hook it up. The only reasoning was to ensure that I am "safer" as the ATM is 1950kg "& doesn't have to by law have the system fitted as standard.