Can Power for Curt C51180 Echo Brake Controller Be Obtained from Trailer Mounted Battery

Question:

Hello, I have a 2000 Dodge Ram 3500 Roadtrex. I want to set it up to use the Curt Echo 51180 since my camper has breaks and the boat trailer I towed did not so brakes were not an issue. The Roadtrex has a 4 pin flat and I watched your video on the ETBC7L and the ETBC7. I will be towing a camper that has a battery on the tongue that operates a power jack and since I will be traveling very short distances I really dont care about charging the battery. Question 1. Instead of running a power cord from the adapter to the battery on the vehicle on your ETBC7L, can I just take a short cut and go from the adapter harness on the vehicle and run it to the battery on the camper with the fuse? Question 2. My Roadtrex has a OBD socket under the dash, can I plug into that instead of going to the battery on the vehicle? Thanks

asked by: JOHN B

Expert Reply:

For the most reliable and safe connection possible, Curt recommends obtaining the power for the controller directly from the vehicle battery and running the circuit through a 40 amp breaker like what's provided with the # ETBC7L. This way, you can both power the controller and provide a maintenance charge for the trailer mounted battery.

You're certainly welcome to install it however you wish but for liability reasons, I couldn't recommend installing it in any other manner than what the brake controller manufacturer recommends.

expert reply by: Mike L