Connecting anderson pluig & brake controller

[MRoss Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close MRoss]

I own a 2010 Series 150 GXL Prado Diesel Manual & have to start setting it up to tow a caravan - When purchased new, it came fitted with a Flat 7 Pin Factory Trailer Connector.

I am wanting to connect a Anderson Plug and a Brake Controller. After looking at several threads I am still a little confused. Can someone confirm or clarify what is required for the following :

1. ANDERSON PLUG - run two (2) 6 B&S wire's from the Auxilary Battery up inside the Chassis Rail to the back of the vehicle where the Anderson Plug will be fixed. A 50 Amp Breaker to be fitted to the Positive lead as close as possible to the battery;

2. TEKONSHA P3 - run the wires from the Tekonsha as follows:
a. 'Black' - run a wire (size unsure) from the Brake Controller direct to the Positive Terminal of the Auxilary Battery which is fitted with a 20 Amp Auto-Reset Circuit Breaker;
b. 'White' - run a wire (size unsure) from the Brake Controller direct to the Negative Terminal of the Auxilary Battery OR can I earth it out to the car body under the dash;
c. 'Red' - run a wire (size unsure) from the Brake Controller and splice into the 'Purple' wire at the Stoplight Switch at the back of the brake pedal. From reading several threads, I presume this is the right wire. The other colour's are Red, White & Black;
d. 'Blue' - run a wire (size unsure) from the Brake Controller up inside the chassis rail along with the dual 6 B&S wire's for the Anderson Plug direct to Pin 5 of the trailer Connector. At the moment there is already a 'blue' wire in Pin 5, which obviously goes somewhere. From a thread, I believe it can be found up in the left rear side panel, in near the 'çar jack'. Can I splice into the wire near the 'car jack' or do I just disconnect the 'blue' wire currently in the trailer connector and connect the new one coming direct from the Brake Controller.


If there is an easy way to complete these am willing to listen. Any help appreciated.

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

Hi MRoss,
I have to do those same two jobs on my own bus soon. What I do know is if you have the Toyota trailer harness fitted, the blue wire located in the jack compartment is connected to the trailer plug , so simply run the wire from the brake controller under all the scuff panels, side panel etc and solder onto the blue wire in the jack area. While I am at it I will also undo the wires from the trailer plug and solder the ends to help eliminate future problems. As for battery connections, I would be connecting to your cranking battery rather than the Aux. Theoretically, that is your main battery. As long as you have sufficient chassis to engine earthing, you should be able to earth to the body under the dash. No idea of the legal situation, but bet the apprentices fitting these all day would do that. If you have any 3mm wire, that would be more than adequate for the connection to the brake pedal signal.
Have to qualify all this by saying I'm unqualified. I'm a grease monkey, not an auto sparky!

[MRoss Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close MRoss]

As I already have a draw-wire inside the chassis rail, ready to pull through the 2 x 6 B&S wire's for the Anderson Plug, thought it would be easier to pull an extra wire for the Brake Controller at the same time, rather than disturbing all of the scuff/side panels..........

Thank's anyway

[krypto Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close krypto]

I just did a install of rear fridge, towbar anderson plug and brake controller run along door sill inside car, my mate did the same using his own cables. Heres aphoto of the controller mount (look done post) www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?20045-The-150-series-Dual-Battery-Guide

[foxclan Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close foxclan]

As I already have a draw-wire inside the chassis rail, ready to pull through the 2 x 6 B&S wire's for the Anderson Plug, thought it would be easier to pull an extra wire for the Brake Controller at the same time, rather than disturbing all of the scuff/side panels..........

Thank's anyway

Hi MRoss
I ran cables from Aux. battery through the chassis for a rear Anderson plug, as you have stated above.
Although it was on my 120 series, same principles apply.
The cable i used was sourced from Derek of ABR Sidewinder, it was twin 6 B&S with a blue brake control wire sheathed in a heavy insulating cover.
6 B&S Twin core with brake wire
13mm2 = 7mm dia. Core (2x)
5mm2 Blue (1x)
Flexible 140 amp cable - TR140

Very strong outer sheath but still flexible enough to thread inside the chassis rail.
Cheers Troy

[LeighW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LeighW]

I wouldn't run wires inside the chassis myself, I was intending to do this
with my 120 but on careful inspection decided that there were to many
sharp edges where the chassis had been joined welded that might abraid
the cable.

Cheers
LeighW

[MRoss Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close MRoss]

After reading your suggestions, I have found where to connect the 'blue' wire from the Brake Controller to the 'blue' wire in the 'rear 'Jack Compartment'.

NOW, for the 'Red' wire. I am of the understanding that I run it to the same area. Within the 'Jack Compartment' is the Trailer Control Module. There are 12 wire's running into to the module, listed as follows :-

1. Trailer Brake - (Red)
2. Trailer Taile Light - (Brown)
3. Earth - (White)
4. Car Tail Light - (Brown/stripe)
5. Car Brake - (Red/stripe)
6. V Batt - (Orange)
7. Trailer Right Turn - (Green)
8. Trailer Left Turn - (Yellow)
9. Car Left Turn - (Yellow/stripe)
10. Car FRight Turn - (Green/stripe)
11. Trailer Reverse - (Black)
12. Car Reverse - (Black/stripe)

NOW, can I, OR do I splice the 'Red'wire from the Brake Controller into the 1. (Red) Trailer Brake or the 5. (Red/stripe) Car Brake wire that enter the Trailer Control Module .

Thank's

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

Gidday MRoss,
I have a different controller to you. Did your controller come with a wiring diagram? Should do.
Mine was as follows - Black, batt +ve, white batt -ve, red is brake signal wire (easiest off brake pedal, purple wire from memory), and finally blue to the rear to connect in the jack compartment. These things simply need to be powered, then receive a signal when the brake pedal is depressed, then it sends some current through the blue wire to the trailer brakes.
That all means, if it is the same as mine, the red wire goes from the controller to the switch wire which is easiest to access at the brake pedal. The wiring is easy, pulling trims off all the way is NOT.
I ran the 6 B+S cables for the Anderson plug through the chassis rails. LHS -ve, RHS +ve. Each is inside convoluted tube with a second layer at each entry/exit point of chassis rail.