Melted breakaway switch

[Tofu]

The breakaway switch has a molten casing and is hot to the touch. It still works, but I obviously don’t trust it now... is there a service in eastern PA that can come to my home and replace it?

We also need two new batteries for that matter, ours don’t charge anymore.

We have 2016 30” flying cloud.

Thanks for suggestions!

[wulfraat]

I’d just replace it. Sounds like it’s shorting out. $15 bucks on amazon for a new one.

[Tofu]

Originally Posted by wulfraat

I’d just replace it. Sounds like it’s shorting out. $15 bucks on amazon for a new one.

That’s great, but I’ve never done this and obviously it’s a safety-critical feature. Is there good instructions or a video on how to replace it?

[Bill M.]

Camping world or any RV place could sell one or install one.

[wulfraat]

Voila. Two wires no problemo. You can do it!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gEomUD8lla4

[Paprika]

The switch is easy to change, as others have said.

It's odd that your old switch would have melted, because that could only happen if current were passing through it for a while--which only occurs when the plug is pulled out in a breakaway situation. (I assume that you weren't trying to use the trailer brakes as parking brakes by pulling out the breakaway plug, which should never be done.) So I'd want to know why that switch was transmitting power in normal use. Is it possible the plug was partway out?

Coupla suggestions for the future:

1) Every time you hitch up, pull the breakaway plug for a few seconds and listen for the faint hum of the brake magnets actuating, then replace the plug. It's good to check that that system is working correctly.

2) Get a can of aerosol contact cleaner (I use DeOxIt) and every few weeks, shoot some into the breakaway switch's opening. These switches are cheaply made, and the contacts inside get corroded and don't conduct well. A regular dose of contact cleaner will help prevent that, and will also make it easier to get the plug in and out for testing.

[GCinSC2]

Paprika points out that current and melting were in cahoots on this, sounds good.

The current draw or load is the brake magnets and checking the brakes and wiring for the brakes might be in order.

[AldeanFan]

Something is wrong with your wiring there should be no current passing through that switch unless the pin was pulled.
Get the wiring fixed before changing the switch.