[A/S] Brakes: A Problem I've Not Seen Before

["Tom B." <gringo9779@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Howdy! :-)
   Coming home fr WI almost 1500 miles in bad weather [well, the 1st 
half anyhow] I had another problem.  Trailer brakes quit.  I 
was "certain" the cause was my old controller, and almost installed 
a new electronic type.

But decided to be sure the problem wasn't in the trailer.  1st I 
checked the controller's output under the dash [sewing needle pushed 
thru insulation]: 12v+ when I depressed br. pedal or slid the manual 
lever.
    Using a 20' wire clipped to my VOM so I could see the reading 
when I pressed the controller-lever, I got the same at the pickup's 
connector, and again at the end of the trailer's removable 7-way 
cable.
    Next stop was that 7-way box inside the front of the trailer, 
beneath the couch.  A "trick" that should work w/ any br. 
controller: used a big spring-clamp to hold the manual-lever all the 
way over.
   Found voltage again on the brake-terminal ...but happened to 
discover the screw-on butt-connector that held 3 wires was hot.  
{Wires fr. terminal, fr. breakaway switch, and 1 going to elec. 
brakes.]  Was loose, even sparking when I jiggled it.  Tightened it-
   -and now my brakes work GREAT!
   So...am sticking w/ reliable ol' hydraulic-operated controller :-)
................................
I still had a 2-volt drop from truck-trailer cable to the inside 
terminal; dosed it heavily w/ contact cleaner yesterday --will test 
it as soon as the DANG SNOWING STOPS. [grrr!]  If that doesn't fix 
it, I may switch to the more-common Bargman-type 7-way.

Tom , Mountainair NM, 31' Sovereign Land Yacht

PS: nothing left to do on A/S except appearance items and installing 
an AC before venturing into HOT-country next summer.
   I am ROLLING!  A few more maintenance items on the pickup [repack 
wh.bearings, service tranny, replace heater hoses & go-to straight 
100% coolant, some minor things], and I'll be ready to load-up for 
my 1st "real" trip- to Columbus NM, Palomas "old" Mexico.

Keep yer powder dry, pard  ...'n'  mind them thar rattlers 'n' 
polecats!  HAPPY TRAILS TO YA!   Tom Bokalosky, Outdoors 
Photographer and Gypsy  ...still doin' thet ol' Pursuing "A*R*T" 
[Adventure, Romance, Travel], focusing upon The Journey....STILL 
looking for a place that feels like "Home".