Brake controller wiring tips? - Honda Pilot

stubble · 03-18-2010, 12:18 PM

I have a Prodigy and wiring kit on the way from eTrailer. Anyone with a brake controller care to share installation tips? I have an 05 Pilot.

Where did you run the wiring?

Where did you mount the controller?

Thanks!

N_Jay · 03-18-2010, 12:54 PM

Use good heavy wire.
Get your power strait from the battery.
I put the controller under the "Not An Ashtray"
I used small bolts with wing nuts as I though I would take it out when not towing to save space, but it really does not waste that much space, so it just stays in.
It is easy to see, and easy to reach, and in a panic, the passenger could help. If it is on the drivers side you can not do that.

Wiring enters from the firewall where the main harness goes through and exits from behind the glove compartment (through an existing grommet).

Circuit breakers are in the dead space behind the center console and the firewall.

I have also had problems with the trailer light converter.
Seems I draw too much on the running/parking light line.
I replaced the factory converter with a powered converter, but that circuit failed again, so I have a relay driving the running/parking light circuit.

stubble · 03-18-2010, 12:58 PM

Thanks n_jay. I'll look at the console area for the controller.

Where did you run the wire back to the rear?

N_Jay · 03-18-2010, 01:02 PM

Out behind the glove box and tied to the frame underneath.

Around the spare and meeting up with lighting harness right behind the hitch.

stubble · 03-18-2010, 01:27 PM

Thanks a lot for the info.

And the tip on the running-light load issue. I'll be on the lookout for that. My popup has quite a few clearance lights around it.

dustino8 · 03-18-2010, 06:20 PM

DIY Brake Controller

stubble · 03-18-2010, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dustino8
DIY Brake Controller

Nice thread, thanks a lot.

Evidently my search foo is weak.

dustino8 · 03-18-2010, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by stubble

Nice thread, thanks a lot.

Evidently my search foo is weak.

The search function on this site is pretty weak. I have trouble finding it and I wrote it.

stubble · 03-24-2010, 05:34 PM

Just a quick thank you. I'm not finished wiring it up yet, but I'm pretty happy with how it's turning out. I'm running two-wire shielded 10awg (from the etrailer kit) inside along the driver's side, under the kickplates. I pulled the rear panel out enough to route the wire behind it along the existing wire harness, over the wheel well. At the rear, just behind the little storage tray, there are two existing grommeted holes right next to the existing trailer connector wire, nicely aligned for egress. I've installed new rubber grommets here and thus routed the wire out to the hitch. A bit of work, but it will be nice and clean.

Next up: In front I'll split the wire and connect one to the brake controller and let the other run through the firewall to the battery for the charge wire. Looks like the best place to get through is a large (3-4") grommet with a 1" bundle already through it, just behind the brake master cylinder. I think this is where Dustin's goes through.

One question:

For the charge wire, did anyone install an isolator/relay? the etrailer kit just has a 40a circuit breaker for this.

03-18-2010, 12:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
stubble Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northern California Posts: 40 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Brake controller wiring tips? I have a Prodigy and wiring kit on the way from eTrailer. Anyone with a brake controller care to share installation tips? I have an 05 Pilot. Where did you run the wiring? Where did you mount the controller? Thanks!

03-18-2010, 12:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
N_Jay Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Chicago, NW Burbs Posts: 13,544 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Use good heavy wire. Get your power strait from the battery. I put the controller under the "Not An Ashtray" I used small bolts with wing nuts as I though I would take it out when not towing to save space, but it really does not waste that much space, so it just stays in. It is easy to see, and easy to reach, and in a panic, the passenger could help. If it is on the drivers side you can not do that. Wiring enters from the firewall where the main harness goes through and exits from behind the glove compartment (through an existing grommet). Circuit breakers are in the dead space behind the center console and the firewall. I have also had problems with the trailer light converter. Seems I draw too much on the running/parking light line. I replaced the factory converter with a powered converter, but that circuit failed again, so I have a relay driving the running/parking light circuit. __________________ However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results. Sir Winston Churchill

03-18-2010, 01:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
N_Jay Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Chicago, NW Burbs Posts: 13,544 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Out behind the glove box and tied to the frame underneath. Around the spare and meeting up with lighting harness right behind the hitch. __________________ However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results. Sir Winston Churchill

03-18-2010, 06:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
dustino8 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: SK, Canada Posts: 764 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	DIY Brake Controller __________________ 2003 SS EX-L; Sidesteps, aftermarket hitch and tranny cooler, prodigy brake controller, Airlift 1000 2007 Toyota Tundra Dearly departed 1991 Prelude and 2005 Civic

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03-18-2010, 12:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
stubble Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northern California Posts: 40 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks n_jay. I'll look at the console area for the controller. Where did you run the wire back to the rear?

03-18-2010, 01:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
stubble Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northern California Posts: 40 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks a lot for the info. And the tip on the running-light load issue. I'll be on the lookout for that. My popup has quite a few clearance lights around it.

03-24-2010, 05:34 PM	#9 (permalink)
stubble Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northern California Posts: 40 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Just a quick thank you. I'm not finished wiring it up yet, but I'm pretty happy with how it's turning out. I'm running two-wire shielded 10awg (from the etrailer kit) inside along the driver's side, under the kickplates. I pulled the rear panel out enough to route the wire behind it along the existing wire harness, over the wheel well. At the rear, just behind the little storage tray, there are two existing grommeted holes right next to the existing trailer connector wire, nicely aligned for egress. I've installed new rubber grommets here and thus routed the wire out to the hitch. A bit of work, but it will be nice and clean. Next up: In front I'll split the wire and connect one to the brake controller and let the other run through the firewall to the battery for the charge wire. Looks like the best place to get through is a large (3-4") grommet with a 1" bundle already through it, just behind the brake master cylinder. I think this is where Dustin's goes through. One question: For the charge wire, did anyone install an isolator/relay? the etrailer kit just has a 40a circuit breaker for this.

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