Hello to everyone, new to the forum, new to Dodge as well. Finally got the elusive brake controller wiring harness for my '10 Ram (that's another story in itself). I have noticed that the wire sizes in the truck harness are all smaller than the corresponding wire in my brake controller harness, 12 ge. to 14 ge. and 16 ge. to 18 ge. The 12Volt supply from the battery is on a circuit with at least a 20 amp fuse which tells me that 14 gauge is not a big enough wire. The brake feed wire is also 14 gauge. I think this might be another "cheapen down" effort and I am considering using the plug but replacing the wires to match the brake controller. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Rick in Cobourg, Ontario

 

14 Gauge is rated for 32 amps in an application like that. If it were going to be 100% duty cycle, I might be worried about heat build up due to being in a harness. Since the duration of braking is relatively short, the wire will not have time to get very hot.

I'd say it's fine.

Another way to look at it -

If Dodge supplied it with too small a wire, you used it as directed with approved equipment, and it caught fire, they'd be open to some pretty tough liability.

 

Thanks Huff, I see what you mean. I guess I am thinking too much in house wiring terms. Looking at my brake controller manual it says to use 14 gauge for 1-2 axles so I should be fine since I have a single. I don't know what the amp draw by the brakes is but it can't be more than what is coming from the battery. Thanks again.

Rick Smith

 

Yeah, in house wiring you would use the 'power transmission' rating which is much lower @ 6 amps. That's mostly because of the duty cycle. Your electric blanket runs a lot more than your trailer brakes!