What does the 30A tow fuse in factory fitted bar pwr?

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

Hi

I am ready to install a Tekonsha brake controller and have been following these threads with interest.
I have found the Blue wire that goes to the trailer socket in the rear of the car. But in the fuse box at the engine bay there is a fuse fitted as part of the factory towbar marked TOW 30A. Where does this supply power to? Might the Prado 2007 GLX have a connector under dash. If so should 30A fuse be enough to pwr controller for a single axle camper trailer? It seems that it should be possible to buy a connector that would install into the engine bay fuse box to pick up the =12V via a currently empty fuse slot.

Having made a fridge slide and fitted an aux battey and tailgate table by following the brilliant descriptions posted on the forum I am feeling inspired to do this one myself also.

Thanks for your help so far and in the future
Best regards
Charlie
2007 prado GLX petrol with a few pp home made bits

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Re: What does the 30A tow fuse in factory fitted bar pwr?

I don't know about the fuse but I'd use an auto reset circuit breaker for a break controller.

[FC_Holden Member Find all posts View Profile Close FC_Holden]

Re: What does the 30A tow fuse in factory fitted bar pwr?

Not positive but I would hazard the guess that it powers the additional relay pack that is part of the Toyota towbar kit (it is in with the jack) this allows normal wiring to switch the relays without overloading existing circuits

[John Member Find all posts View Profile Close John]

Re: What does the 30A tow fuse in factory fitted bar pwr?

Mine has an auto reset CB as D4D described. As far as I can see, my controller is designed for up to 4 wheel brake units (which we had on our caravan). I'd imagine that 4 magnets running at full tilt could use a fair whack of current.

FC, my rear relays were already powered from the car's electrical system prior to the controller install. The bloke just ran the wires to the box, and to the trailer connector.

[FLexus Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close FLexus]

Re: What does the 30A tow fuse in factory fitted bar pwr?

Brake controllers don't vary the current or the voltage to the trailer wheels. The controlers have no way of absorbing power in a resistive way and disapating the heat. Instead they have a trick. They switch the voltage on and off at a high frequency. The longer they are on the more braking happens. Since most trailers.have drum brakes that are self energizing they take very little power to activate.