Installation of a remote Redarc brake controller and power supply for a caravan

[G.Johnno Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close G.Johnno]

While not everyone will fit the same controller as I, here are some tips that you might find useful

Rather than running the wires 'through' the VX I elected to run them under the car through a length of 13mm trickle irrigation pipe.

I figured that this was vastly easier than pulling up step plates and carpet and finding somewhere to get the wires to the trailer plug.

I threaded a length of light rope from the engine bay along the chassis rail and through trial and error found a track that avoided sharp edges and potential spots that might rub and wear. This was quite easy to see and do.

That done I cut a length of the 13mm irrigation pipe six metres long and using a length of fishing line pulled the wires through leaving plenty to work with at each end.

Attaching the previously threaded rope to one end of the pipe I pulled it along the chassis and up into the engine bay and connected the wires to both the Anderson and the trailer plugs.

Two circuit breakers and a power supply for both were fixed near the battery.

Installation of the remote Redarc controller was more problematical.

I popped out two of the blank plates near the radio using a thin blade [top and bottom] to release the clips.

Unfortunately, the back of plates had a plastic moulding that needed to be removed.

I cut this away making sure that the clips were retained and drilled two holes for the LED and button.

Locating a 'safe spot', I drilled a 12.5mm hole in the firewall fitted a grommet and threaded the required wires.

I soldered all the connections to the controller, wrapped it in foam to prevent any rattles and Zip tied it up and out of the way.

Fitted the button and LED and completed the connections under bonnet.

Happily it all works, job done.

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Some photos? Sounds good.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Cheers Andrew

[G.Johnno Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close G.Johnno]

Photos of the Installation of a remote Redarc brake controller and power supply for a caravan
For those who want to run wiring and require a 'safe' hole in the firewall, the first image was taken in the engine bay and the next pic inside and under the dash shows an area clear of insulation and where the drill came through. Third pic shows the fuses for the Anderson plug and the Redarc electric trailer brake controller. The final is of the remote control button and LED underneath. Johnno

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Forget adding pictures as an attachment, IMO the thumbnails are way too small, I also find that the full size image takes ages to load from an attachment. Here is how I do it using postimage, gives a bigger thumbnail and larger pic can be viewed if you want.

I use postimage here http://www.postimage.org/
click on the browse icon and find the photo you want from your computer, select what size you want it to appear from the list, i usually go 800x600, then click on the family safe and upload. Once it is uploaded select the Third line (Thumbnails for forums 1) of the URL's, right click and then copy this. Then just paste the URL into your post. hope this helps.

Cheers Andrew

[G.Johnno Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close G.Johnno]

Hey! Thanks Andrew.

Followed you instructions for I guess, er, a simple man and behold above, images of the installation.

[brogers Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close brogers]

Forget adding pictures as an attachment, IMO the thumbnails are way too small, I also find that the full size image takes ages to load from an attachment. Here is how I do it using postimage, gives a bigger thumbnail and larger pic can be viewed if you want.

I use postimage here http://www.postimage.org/
click on the browse icon and find the photo you want from your computer, select what size you want it to appear from the list, i usually go 800x600, then click on the family safe and upload. Once it is uploaded select the Third line (Thumbnails for forums 1) of the URL's, right click and then copy this. Then just paste the URL into your post. hope this helps.

Cheers Andrew

Hi Andrew, just in case you didn't realise...click on the thumbnails and they open in another window amnd then the size and detail is fine...Johnno's thumbnails open individually and they are fine.

BTW Johnno, I found I didn't need to drill through the firewall, I used an existing grommett slightly higher up and close to the guard, it did mean removing the footwell kick panel, but it wasn't a problem, and we just utilised an existing grommett, that way avoidng any drilling...buts thats just a comment, its of no use to you I know, but someone else may choose to avoid drilling the firewall perhaps.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Hi Andrew, just in case you didn't realise...click on the thumbnails and they open in another window amnd then the size and detail is fine...Johnno's thumbnails open individually and they are fine.

Yes I realize that Brogers. When pictures are attached the thumbnail is much smaller than the example above, often you have no idea what the pic is until you click on it. With post image the thumbnails area better size IMO, meaning you only need to view the larger image if you are particularly interested.

A lot of people put in full size images using photobucket, which is fine if you have good fast Internet. Those of us in the sticks with Internet powered by wind up rubber bands have difficulty opening some of these.

Thanks for the pics Johnno, I must pull my finger out and install my redarc controller.

Cheers Andrew

[G.Johnno Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close G.Johnno]

Yes I realize that Brogers. When pictures are attached the thumbnail is much smaller than the example above, often you have no idea what the pic is until you click on it. With post image the thumbnails area better size IMO, meaning you only need to view the larger image if you are particularly interested.

A lot of people put in full size images using photobucket, which is fine if you have good fast Internet. Those of us in the sticks with Internet powered by wind up rubber bands have difficulty opening some of these.

Thanks for the pics Johnno, I must pull my finger out and install my redarc controller.

Cheers Andrew

I can appreciate the slow speed of your internet connection.

The speed of mine at times is such that if I were a youngster attempting to view, shall we say innapropriate materials, by the time it loaded I would be old enough. Cheers mate. Johnno

[Chaser Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chaser]

Not a bad job there johnno but im pretty sure its very frowned upon to drill holes in the fire wall. Its a structural member of the vehicle which shouldn't be tampered with. Someone please correct me if im wrong.

[G.Johnno Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close G.Johnno]

Hi Chaser.

Yes Chaser, I was not all that happy about drilling a hole in the firewall and as Broggers pointed out, there was an existing hole which I could have used but failed to notice it at the time. Have noted it now for future reference should I require.

Having said that, I reckon a thumbnail hole in my firewall is not going to cause the wheels to fall off anytime soon .................. and let me say that I am really happy about that. I am also extremely happy that the roo that popped out in front of me this morning around Eagle Bay [check it out on Google maps] made a very good decision and popped back from where he came from. It did get the heart beating a little faster though.
Johnno.