Break controller on with ignition off

Komrade · 10-12-2018, 09:30 PM

I connected up a Tekonsha P3 to the Ford XLT 2004 (seems like it came with factory/dealer towing package) and it stays on.

Is this normal? In my Tacoma that's not the case. Unfortunately Tacoma is not a good towing vehicle.

MadScience · 10-12-2018, 11:27 PM

My P3 stays on for a while, and then falls asleep. I've not noticed any battery drain issues, but I do have solar.

Wowbagger · 10-13-2018, 05:36 AM

Yes, it's normal for the brake controller to be wired directly to the battery (through a fuse, of course). The idea is that under no circumstances do you want to be able for it to lose power when in use - for example, if your gas pedal sticks, and you kill the ignition switch to regain control, you don't want the brake controller going dead (assuming your steering wheel doesn't lock.)

I simply remove my P3 and put it into its case, and put that in the glove box when I am not towing. It takes 30 seconds to do.

Tangent: I *also* remove my hitch from the receiver, put the cap on the greasy ball, and stow that - to keep the ball well-greased, and to protect both my and other people's shins!

carringb · 10-13-2018, 11:51 AM

Yup. Always on. It "looks" for a trailer for about 10 minutes by periodically sending a very quick pulse. Then it goes to sleep. It's never caused me battery issues with or without a trailer.

Komrade · 10-27-2018, 07:30 PM

Thank you. Seems to go off after a while. I am not bothering to disconnect. Attached to dashboard with 3M (EzPass) tape. Worked out OK.