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Trailer power demands are on the rise, but is your wiring ready to carry the load?
Today's trailers are more power hungry than ever. The pigtails that establish an electrified link between tractors and trailers are being called on to support everything from reefer batteries to communication systems.
The demand on the J560 connector's auxiliary pin even continues to grow. "Everybody acts like it's a public domain," notes Bruce Purkey of Purkey's Electrical Consulting, referring to the way that those who install auxiliary equipment are tapping into die pin's power.
But die demands don't end with auxiliary equipment. That connector also needs to deliver 12.5 volts and 10 amps of power to support the trailer's Antilock Braking System (ABS).
"The tractor supply voltage has a significant influence on the voltage available to the ABS," notes Bob Rudolph of Haldex Commercial Vehicle Systems. If die voltage falls short, the system will not work as designed, leading to flat-spotting trailer tires, failed roadside inspections or even collisions. And one in four roll stability systems are not functioning because of a lack of voltage at...