Upgrading 2023 Micro Minnie 2108FBS for Extended Off-Grid Camping

[bcborn]

Winnebago's idea of placing the auto reset circuit breaker in this powered circuit makes me think the purpose is to protect the wire should a short arise. Should a short arise in a live wire (which this is), is there a concern of fire (safety issue).

As klook suggested using the break away as an emergency brake melts wires. Would an auto reset circuit breaker, have prevented the melted wires klook suggests?

Maybe there is no right or wrong answer here.

 

[klook]

I disagree and so do many other people that build things.

 

[klook]

Why worry about melting wires if your trailer breaks away at speed...

 

[Morich]

When one moves to calling a toadstool a mushroom, there is often a problem!
Using a breakaway as a parking brake is near the same level!

The major difference is that in the planned use as an emergency to stop a run away trailer, the wiring is only powered for as long as it takes for the trailer to stop and melted wiring is certainly not a major concern. The main point is to try to slow or stop the trailer before it kills somebody, so melted wires are not a problem.

I would not choose to put any kind of protection in this line as I want the brakes to come on and never even consider if the wires totally melted down while stopping the trailer from run away!
But it is certainly true that what he found may not have been what the trailer had when new. He may have been dealing with the results of mods that were not well thought out!
When steam heat was common, it was not hard to find popoff were changed to plugs to keep them from venting steam so often.
Fortunately we don't have near as many steam explosions as we did in those days! But we do still have hot water heaters that burst when folks decide to remove the temp/pressure safety valve!
My group calls that "culling the flock"!

 

[bcborn]

Maybe the administrators here can let Winnebago know they are doing it wrong.

 

[klook]

No, a fuse or circuit breaker should not be placed inline with the breakaway switch itself.

The breakaway switch must have a direct, unobstructed connection to the trailer battery for safety. If a fuse or circuit breaker were installed in the switch's power line, it could blow or trip due to normal wear, vibration, or a short, rendering the emergency braking system completely inoperative if the trailer ever becomes detached. This would defeat the entire purpose of the breakaway system.

As confirmed by multiple sources, including manufacturer guidelines and expert advice:

• The switch is wired directly from the battery.
• No inline fuse or circuit breaker should be in the breakaway switch's power circuit.
• The system is designed to be an emergency-only, fail-safe connection.

However, a circuit breaker or fuse may be used on the trailer's main battery circuit (e.g., a 40A breaker at the battery) to protect the wiring from short circuits or overloads in other systems. This is different from the breakaway switch circuit and is acceptable for general trailer electrical protection.

In summary: Keep the breakaway switch circuit completely unfused and unbroken—its reliability depends on being always live and ready to activate.

 

[klook]

Thats a simple search.

 

[bcborn]

Any idea how many Winnebago travel trailers if wired as per the schematic are on our highways today.

Looks like a good reason for a North American wide Safety Recall

 

[klook]

Just pointing out the facts about these switches. Winnebago is not the final word and is not incapable of making a mistake.