Curt Manufacturing REFLEX User manual

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For use with 12 volt negative ground systems only
For trailers with two to eight brakes
Read, follow and save this guide for future reference
REFLEX
REFLEX BRAKE CONTROL
INSTALLATION AND USER GUIDE
51130-INS-R1 •

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This package includes:
(1) Brake control module with quick plug
(1) Slide-in mounting bracket
(2) Mounting bracket screws
(1) Double-sided mounting tape
(1) Surface prep wipe
(1) Quick reference card
One or more of the following may be needed to complete installation:
•Brake control connection harness, supplied with the tow vehicle (if equipped)
•CURT quick plug - custom connector for specic vehicles. See catalog for availability
•CURT part# 51515/51516 - male quick plug with pigtails
•CURT part# 51500 - brake control wiring kit
Key Features
•Polarityprotectedagainstpositiveandnegativepowerreversal
•Powerconservationmodeafteronehourofinactivity,wakeswhenbrakepedalispushed
•Displayiscapableofcommunicatingoperatingerrors
•Manual control lever activates brake lights
•Reduced output when sitting still (railroad crossing, stoplight, etc…)
•Will work with most electrically activated hydraulic trailer brake systems
•Nearly unlimited mounting positions, single calibration upon initial setup

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Controls and Components
1. Digital display
2. Load range / calibration button
3. Output adjustment thumb wheel
4. Manual control lever
5. Quick plug connector
1
5 3
4
2

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Mounting the Brake Control Module
NOTE: Avoid mounting the brake control module near a CB radio or other RF transmitter.
1. Determine a suitable mounting location.
Mount the unit securely to a solid surface where it is easily accessible to the driver.
The area behind the mounting location must be clear to prevent damage while drilling.
The module can be mounted above or below the dash at any angle vertically,
but must stay within 20° horizontally (see Figures 1, 2 and 3).
Figure 1 Figure 2
20° 20° 20° 20°
Figure 3

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3. Hold the bracket in place and mark two screw locations.
Using a 1/8" diameter bit, drill holes in the marked locations.
4. With a philips screwdriver, secure the bracket in place using the two
screws provided. Be careful not to strip the holes by over-tightening.
5. If using tape, make sure both surfaces are at least 68°; warm them, if needed using
vehicle heater or a heat gun. Clean the mounting location and bracket with the surface
prep wipe provided.
  Peeladhesivelinerfromonesideofthefoamtapeandstickthetapesecurelyontothe
bracket's surface. Make sure the front of the bracket is facing the driver, see Figure 4.
  Peeltheotherlinerandpressthebracketrmlyintoplace.
6. Line up the slots in the side of the module with the bracket arms,
slide the unit into the front of the bracket until it snaps into place.
Figure 4
2. The mounting bracket can be secured with the screws or foam tape provided.
NOTE: The front of the bracket must face the driver. See Figure 4.

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Wiring
NOTE: Removal of factory supplied quick plug may void warranty.
Most pick-ups and utility vehicles are equipped with a plug from
the factory that allows quick brake control installation. Check the
owner's manual for plug availability, location and installation.
If the mating plug supplied with the vehicle is no longer available, a CURT
quick plug can be used. See the CURT catalog for application information.
For tow vehicles not equipped with a factory brake control plug,
we suggest CURT brake control wiring kit, part# 51500.
IMPORTANT: Make sure that both positive and ground connections are made directly to
the tow vehicle's battery. Connecting to existing wiring or chassis ground, other than the
battery terminal, may damage vehicle circuits and could lead to trailer brake failure.
Mount a 30 amp, auto reset, circuit breaker as close to the battery as possible.
IMPORTANT: When passing wire through sheet metal, always go through an existing
grommet, add a grommet or use silicone sealer to protect the wire from sharp edges.
Feed two 10 gauge wires, one white and one black, from the mounted brake control to the
battery area. Using a ring terminal, connect the black wire to the 'aux' side
of the 30 amp circuit breaker. Leave the white wire for connection later.
Using a 10/12 gauge butt connector, attach the black wire from the 'aux' side of the
30 amp circuit breaker to the brake control's black wire. Using a 10/12 gauge butt

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connector, attach the white wire from the battery area to the brake control's white wire.
Run a 10 gauge blue wire from the tow vehicle's trailer plug 'brake' terminal to the brake
control. Using a 10/12 butt connector, connect this wire to the brake control's blue wire.
Connect the brake control's red wire to the cold side
of the tow vehicle's stoplight switch using a wire tap.
NOTE: When making the stoplight switch connection on Ford / Mercury vehicles, do not
connect to the red wire with green stripe. Connect to the light green wire only.
For 1989 - 1991 Ford E and F series vans and trucks with anti-lock brakes, nd the
crescent shaped connector located on the steering column. The connector has two
rows of wires, the wire needed is the light green wire, second from the end in the
outside row. See the view shown in the wiring diagram on page 8.
Forallothervehicles,useatestprobetondthecoldsideofthestoplightswitch.Probe
the switch wires until a wire is found that is only on when the brake pedal is pressed.
IMPORTANT: Once a cold side wire is found, test to ensure that the wire is not grounded
when the pedal is in the up position. If the wire is grounded, the brake control unit will be
destroyed when manual control is used.
Reconnect the tow vehicle's negative battery terminal and attach the white, 10 gauge
wire previously positioned near the battery to the negative terminal using a ring terminal.
Using 10 gauge stranded wire and a ring terminal, connect the
'battery' side of the circuit breaker to the positive battery terminal.

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WIRING DIAGRAM

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Calibration
With the tow vehicle on a level surface and no brakes applied, press and hold the load
range / calibration button located next to the digital display. When a steady 'CL' appears,
calibration is complete. Recalibrate if the module loses power, if the mounting angle
changes, or if the 'CL' ashes at any time. NOTE: To prevent inadvertent calibration, the
calibration mode is locked out when the brakes are engaged.
Once properly connected, the display will show one of the following:
Condition Display Meaning
Blank screen Sleep mode, touch brake pedal to activate
One dot No trailer connected
Two dots Trailer connected
O.C Manual control activated, no trailer connected
0.5 to 0.9
to
Trailer is connected, brakes are activated. The display reading is based
on the position of the output control or the position of the manual control.

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Set Load Range
Pressandreleasetheloadrange/calibrationbuttonuntilappropriateoutputrangeisset.
Trailer GVW is less
than tow vehicle GVW
Trailer GVW is approximately
equal to tow vehicle GVW
Trailer GVW is up to 50%
more than tow vehicle GVW
Trailer GVW is more than 100%
greater than tow vehicle GVW
Set Output
With the trailer connected and engine running to ensure proper charge voltage, while
parked without the brake pedal applied, slide the manual control lever to the left as far as it
will go. While holding the manual control, turn the output wheel located on the left side of
the module until 5.0. is displayed.
Output Adjustment
Drive forward at about 25 mph with enough distance for safe braking, apply the trailer's
brakes using the manual control lever only. The output should be set to a point where
brakes do not lockup, but stops are rm and smooth. If needed, adjust the output setting
up or down, then retry.
Confirm Settings
Using the brake pedal, make additional stops at 25 mph. Stops should be rm and smooth.
If needed, adjust the output setting up or down. IMPORTANT: Always check trailer brake
condition before towing. Brake control cannot compensate for worn or defective brakes.

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Troubleshooting Guide
This brake control is capable of communicating functional errors through the digital display.
Bench Test
This brake control can be tested out of the vehicle to conrm proper function. You will need
a standard 1156 automotive bulb in a socket, a charged 12v battery and a length of wire.
1. Connect the brake control's white and the bulb's ground wire to the battery's negative
terminal. Connect the brake controls's black wire to the battery's positive terminal.
Leave the blue and red wires disconnected at this point.
IMPORTANT: Do not allow the red wire to touch the battery negative terminal
or any other ground during testing. This will destroy the brake control.
2. Lay the module on a at surface, press and hold the calibration button
until a steady 'CL' is on the digital display. Release the button.
Condition Display Issue
Single dot Brake pedal is pushed, no trailer connection
Flashing O.C When manual control is activated indicates no trailer connection. Note: O.C. will ash for
a few seconds after a trailer is disconnected from the tow vehicle trailer plug, this is normal
Flashing S.C Short circuit condition in the blue brake wire circuit beyond the brake control
(trailer plug, trailer brakes, etc). Normal function will return once the condition is corrected
C.S Low or no power from the tow vehicle's battery. First, restart vehicle. Then check battery
connections, check circuit breaker, check vehicle's tow battery and charging system

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Bench Test Wiring
Figure 5

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3. Rotate the output control thumb wheel clockwise as far as it will go. Move
the brake control's manual control to the left, the display should show O.C.
Connect the brake control's blue wire to the bulb's wire. See Figure 5 on page 12.
4. Activate the brake control's manual control, the display should read up to 9.9.
After releasing the manual control, the display should show two dots. Repeatedly
push the load range button and the display should cycle from L1 to L4.
5. Attach the brake control's red wire to the battery's positive terminal. The display may
uctuate for a few seconds, then show an output setting. Tilt the front of the brake control
up to about 45°, the display should increase up to 9.9. and the bulb should light brightly.
6. Rotate the brake control down from 45° slowly, the displayed number should decrease
with the downward movement. If the unit does not function as described in any of the
test steps, return the unit for service or replacement.
NOTES