Electric Brakes
The Kelsey Hayes Brakes are operated by
12
volt current from your car and
must be
hookedup so that you havean integral
system with your car brakes.
To prevent
problems and insure satisfactory braking
action, install a Kelsey HayesController (or
equivalent) and selective resistor in line with the
controller in you car.
A
Kelsey HayesController
(orequivalent)
installed in your car will synchronize the trailer
brakeswith your car brakes. It is designed to
apply the trailer brakeswith your car brakes.
The controller handle adjustment affects the
rate of application of the trailer brakes. This
adjustment has no bearing on the maximum
braking capacity of the trailer brakes. Because
of the wide variety of towing vehicles and
trailers it is necessary to balance the trailer
brakes with the towing vehicle brakes to
provide for a safe, comfortablestop. This
adjustment should bemade to provide for a
slight lead ofthe trailer brakes over the tow
vehicle brakes. Turning the handle clockwise
will decrease the rate of application of the
tra~lerbrakes, while counter-clockwise will
increase the rate of application. When the
desired setting is reached, the controller will
hold the adjustment, but may be varied at any
time by rotating the handle as described
above. After this adjustment, there should be
no sensation ofthe trailer pushing the car
during a stop, nor should there be an excessive
sensation of the trader pullingthe car during a
stop.
A
selective resistor
to match the weight of
your trailer to the controller should be installed
on the fire wall of your engine compartment. It
should be correctly adjusted during installation.
However,
if
you wish to change the action of
your brakes proceed as follows:
The selective resistor adjustment
affects
the maximum braking capacity of the trailer
brakes. Because of the variety of axle loadings,
the rated load capacity of the brakes may
exceed the load on the trailer axle.
When a resistor is installed on the towing
vehicle and a setting is made according to the
chart on page
8,
check the initial trailer brake
application with the controller fully applied.
If
the setting is correct, the controller full "on"
position should provide firm braking action just
short of skidding on dry pavement. Follow .the
chart and change the setting to achieve greater
or less braking, as required.
Due to normal brake lining wear, the brakes
and the controller setting should be checked
and readjusted,
if
necessary, during the trailer
manufacturer's recommended inspection
intervals. Normally, it is not necessary to reset
the selective resistor unlessthere are major
changes in the trailer loading. Note: Brake
lining adjustment should be periodically
checked (fully)to be sure trailer brakes are in
the same adjustment as the automobile's.
Properly set, these adjustments will provide for
safe comfortable stops. They will also help
assure optimum brake and tire life for both the
tow vehicle and the trailer.
In
the event of an accidental separation of
the tow car and trailer,
the breakaway switch
will set and lock the trailer brakes for a
sufficient length of time to stop the trailer. The
switch is activated when the small pin in the
front of the unit is pulled out by the wire
attached to it and to the car.
This pin should
be pulledout, lubricatedwith light
household oil and replacedevery
90
days.
To prevent corrosionwithin the breakaway
switch, pull the switch's pin straight forward
and spray the inside of the switch through the
hole with an electric contact cleaner (such as
Spra-Kleen) and reinsert pin.
A
drop of light
householdoil on the groove near the base of
pin will allow pin to operate freely.
When the
trailer is connected to the tow car, the
break-awayswitch loop should be
attached to the permanent frame of your
hitch.
When disconnecting trailer from tow car,
remove wire loop from the frame,
do not
removepinfrom switch, becausethis will
apply the trailer brakes.Caution: Do not
use break-awayswitch for parkingbrake.
We recommend that your brake system be
checked and adjusted by a Certified Service
Center. However, in emergencies,to adjust
brakes:
1.
Remove the small rubber plug at the base
of the backing plate on the brake drum.
2.
Jack the wheel so that you can spin it by
hand. Tighten the brakes (using a brake
adjusting tool or a screwdriver that has
been bent to a
90"
angle) until the wheel
is locked, then back off until you have a
free spinning wheel, which will be
approximately
8
notches.
3.
Repeat this operation with all trailer
wheels.