Fitting Electric Brake Controller

[Vk3zgw]

Bit late to reply to your question re the BRK fuse, but I'm about to tackle the P3 install and came across your post.

The circuit shows this fuse going to the trailer socket R23 which is located in the LHS jack area in the rear. It goes via another connector AR2 which is located on the LHS front bottom of the dash.

In my 2010 Prado there is an Ozzie mod of a trailer 'interfacing' module that is fitted to the trailer plug to protect the vehicle's wiring should a problem occur with the trailer wiring.

The purple wire at the brake pedal is the one to get the stop signal from as it is switched directly by the brake switch from the brake light fuse and not the solid state FET that drives the lights themselves. I'd rather replace a fuse than the FET in the stop light relay module.

I'm going to toy with using this BRK wire instead of running another wire all the way to R23. If I can pick it up at AR2 and remove it from the connector and attach the blue wire to it then I will save a lot of work. Gotta check first to see if this mod unit is using it for something.

Ah let the fun begin.

Geoff

[mumstruk]

I am fitting a P3 to my 150.
Looking in the fuse box are two fuses one marked Trailer, the other Trailer BRK. The trailer fuse supplies power to the trailer wiring harness at the rear of the car. Trailer BRK is a mystery. It is supplying power to something somewhere. Looking around on other forums Toyotas in the US have a harness under the drivers dash, powered from this 30A Trailer BRK fuse. It is there to easily add a brake controller to your Toyota Tundra, 4. Runner etc.

I spent the best part of two hours under the drivers and passenger foot wells looking for this plug. Has any body seen it or does it not exist in Aussie Prados? I have not pulled the centre console apart yet, I can only guess that it is behind it some where. I am thinking that it must exist as the fuse is wired and it has not been deleted.

You can buy this harness from Toyota US for the installation of a brake controller, This is what the harness kit looks like.

[Hubble80]

The harness now available here: http://www.sidewinder.com.au/page190.html connects to the factory harness at the L.H. rear.

Any chance of some pics of where the blue wire connects in at the harness at the LH rear panel??

[maxjj]

mine sits just above my right knee, moved steering wheel as high as possible while fitting. I was able to fit it higher on the right side than left, for us it doesn`t cause any issues.

[VeeZeeSS]

Good work guys, any other locations people have used in the 150's ?

[Strudel]

Good mod, very tidy !
Is the cable spring loaded so when the van brakes or locks up and you need to quickly get your hands back on the wheel does the emergency brake release ?

No, just the spring in the Tekonsha manual override, that pulls the knob back beautifully. There's hardly any resistance in the brake cable.

[alternative]

Good mod, very tidy !
Is the cable spring loaded so when the van brakes or locks up and you need to quickly get your hands back on the wheel does the emergency brake release ?

[Strudel]

Re: Fitting Electric Brake Controller

Hi Guys,
I had trouble deciding where to put my P3 as well. I didn't like the idea of putting on the front of the dash, plus I'm slightly vertically challenged, so my seat is a little forward and there isn't all that much room between my left leg and the dash. I decided to put it in the glove box and replace the card holder I use all the time.

With the unit being inside the glove box, the only problem I could see was being able to use the manual override in case of an emergency. So I decided to put a pull knob on the console that activated it. I connected that using a length of bicycle brake cable and outer ( less than 1meter and $14 ) to a disk I made that fitted under the manual lever.

This was then connected to the pull knob ( part of a Narva switch $11 ). I wanted it to be detachable from both ends, so unscrewing the knob on the modified switch will release the cable.

The slack in the cable is also adjustable behind the P3.

I could have probably drilled a hole in the manual lever for the cable to go thru but I wanted an even light pull so I decided to use a disk. It ended up working well and very easy to pull.
Not real happy with the engraving on the knob, but I’ll print a nice one out on the computer and stick it on.

[Blackjack]

Re: Fitting Electric Brake Controller

Rob,
Thanks, The controller is installed using the blue wire. I ended up installing a controller adjacent to the gear shift on a bracket where the carpet meets the trim. Under my left leg. Easy to reach and away from the air bag.
Regards,
Mark.

Good to hear, also sounds like a good position for the controller, ....gotta photo ? Enjoy your travels !

Cheers, rob

[vk2jma]

Re: Fitting Electric Brake Controller

Rob,
Thanks, The controller is installed using the blue wire. I ended up installing a controller adjacent to the gear shift on a bracket where the carpet meets the trim. Under my left leg. Easy to reach and away from the air bag.
Regards,
Mark.

[Blackjack]

Re: Fitting Electric Brake Controller

"I'm also a bit unclear as to the use of the (very small) blue wire in the R/Left compartment from the end of the factory harness. Are people using this or rewiring direct to the plug with something bigger."

Hi Mark,

I wired my Prodigy brake controller in using the blue wire you refer to, see here, viewtopic.php?f=47&t=8040#p112598 , and the wire is not as flimsy as you may think, it's good for at least 15 amps and is fine for my twin axle ( 4 magnetic brakes) 2 tonne caravan. With a single axle (two brake unit) campervan you will have no problems using this wire,...just make sure you make good solid connections.

Rgds, Rob

[vk2jma]

Re: Fitting Electric Brake Controller

G'Day All,
My first post, Picked up my diesel GXL 150 this week.
Firstly thanks to all the regular posters. Reading your experiences has helped pass the time during the long wait for the new 150.
I had the factory tow bar fitted and now need to add the break controller. I like the (hidden) look of the RedArc remote unit, but I'm concerned about the no proportional breaking. I'll be towing a 1200kg (when empty) A-van Ray 14'. Does any one have any experience and comments? I see a few have been added according to other posts. The P3 would be a second choice but only if the no proportional breaking is an issue.
I'm also a bit unclear as to the use of the (very small) blue wire in the R/Left compartment from the end of the factory harness. Are people using this or rewiring direct to the plug with something bigger.
Thanks,
Mark,
VK2JMA

[rumy]

Re: Fitting Electric Brake Controller

I went to an Auto Electrical shop today to have my Prodigy fitted and they said because the knee air bag deploys out and UP they would not fit it where you guys are showing in the photos above. He said if something happened and the airbag didn't deploy properly then I could bring it back on them. I can see where they are coming from so I have ordered a remote RedArc one which they are fitting tomorrow.
My concern is warranty so I'll go with what they say.

[ABR-SIDEWINDER]

Re: Fitting Electric Brake Controller

does it connect with anything other than a simple join? like a plug to adapt into an existing factory module. it sounds like it is just a wire kit from what i can tell on that link.

dan

You need to connect the two wires with the joiners supplied.

As there is already at least 3 manufacturers of tow-bars there is no way we can standardise a plug. You will find that the blue wire is just loose anyway, it is only the red stop light wire you need to join into.

[Silvo]

Re: Fitting Electric Brake Controller

does it connect with anything other than a simple join? like a plug to adapt into an existing factory module. it sounds like it is just a wire kit from what i can tell on that link.

dan