CURT 51180 Echo Mobile Brake Controller Instruction Manual

: June 13, 2024
: Curt

**CURT 51180 Echo Mobile Brake Controller Instruction Manual

**

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

WARNING Read and follow installation manual carefully. Failure to do so could result in damage to the brake controller unit, loss of trailer brakes or poor brake performance.

The vehicle must have +12V, ground and turn signals connected to the 7-way socket. Brake output to the 7-way socket is not required.
See ‘Vehicle-Specific Requirements’.
An existing aftermarket or factory brake controller will not function if Echo® brake controller is installed.
No special wiring or connectors are required for use.
One Control® apps ARE NOT compatible with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. However, it will not interfere with these features.
Echo® is designed to provide a Bluetooth connection, without obstruction, up to 50 ft. Connection may also be limited by the Bluetooth signal of your phone

WARNING Avoid distracted driving. Only make adjustments when the vehicle is stationary. Please adhere to all applicable traffic laws and motor vehicle safety regulations including, but not limited to, all laws and regulations prohibiting the use of handheld devices while operating a motor vehicle.

WARNING One Control® App must be operating in the foreground of your cell phone applications. Operating the App in the background of your cell phone applications may cause delays in braking response when using the manual override button.

WARNING Do not mount the Echo® near the exhaust pipe. Failure to do so may result in heat damage, loss of functionality and risk of fire. Prior to driving, test all trailer lights while the trailer is plugged into the Echo®.

VEHICLE-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

NOTE your vehicle comes with a trailering app or towing prep package, it may be necessary to activate a tow / haul mode using a push button or in-dash screen menu. This allows power at the 7-way connector of the vehicle.

See the vehicle owner’s manual to enable this feature.

The Echo brake controller uses the 7-way connector’s +12V connection to power the brakes, and it shares this power with thetrailer. Ensure the fuse for this connection is rated for 30 amps. See the vehicle owner’s manual to determine the fuse location.
- If the LED on the Echo does not light when plugged into the 7-way connector, the +12V power pin may not have power from the vehicle. Visit a CURT authorized installer to install a power wire to the battery.
If the phone application cannot connect to the Echo due to an incorrect or missing PIN, contact CURT Product Support. They will need the serial number located on the label of your Echo brake controller.
Clean and store the Echo in a safe, dry place when not in use. We recommend applying dielectric grease to the terminals.

Some vehicles may require a trailer to be connected to detect a load and activate the +12V power.

Consult the vehicle owner’s manual for vehicle-specific details or contact CURT Product Support if you are having trouble diagnosing the issue. Known vehicle-specific requirements are listed below:

Ford F-150 (2018 to Current)

Requires tow / haul mode activation and / or load detection on 7-way before the +12V output is activated on the 7-way connector. Activate tow mode and connect trailer before attempting Bluetooth connection to the Echo. The LED on the Echo must be on.

Ford F-150 (15 – 17)

These vehicles may turn off the +12V output to the 7-way connector when in park or during gear shifting, making the existing vehicle wiring incompatible with the Echo. To use Echo with these vehicles, visit a CURT authorized installer to install a power wire to the battery.

INSTALLATION

Prior to insertion you will need to install the safety strap.
The safety strap is located inside the cap of the Echo® unit. Remove the button fastener from the strap.
WARNING Failure to plug Echo® into the vehicles 7-way socket before inserting the trailer’s 7-way connector into the Echo® could result in an improper calibration and inconsistent trailer braking.
Slide the strap through the clasp on the Echo®.
Insert button fastener facing outwards
Insert Echo® into the vehicle 7-way socket, using the plug’s alignment notch and slot to properly orient the plug and receptacle.
Wrap the strap around the 7-way cover and pin to secure.
Once the strap and Echo® installed and inserted into the vehicle’s 7-way, the LED will flash blue. The Echo® is now ready to pair with the mobile application. Proceed to ‘Initial Setup for Bluetooth’.

DOWNLOAD THE MOBILE APPLICATION

Mobile applications are available for Apple and Android OS. They can be accessed in the App Store or Google Play by scanning the respective QR code below or searching for ‘OneControl® Auto’.

Apple OS Requires IOS 14 or higher
Android OS requires Android 9.0 or higher
Bluetooth must be enabled on your device for pairing to occur
After the app is installed, follow the prompts for setup

INITIAL SETUP FOR BLUETOOTH CONNECTION

NOTE The vehicle needs to be running or the ignition in the ‘ON’ position with the vehicle in park.

NOTE At any moment during setup, if the LED on the Echo® is red, stop and refer to the ‘Troubleshooting Guide’.

Enable Bluetooth in your mobile device settings. This will allow you to detect your Echo® device. Pairing of the app to the Echo device will happen within the app. Device should not be paired within the smartphone’s Bluetooth settings menu.
Open the app after installation and follow the on screen prompts, agree to the end user agreement and complete the initial registration Once registration is created, you will utilize the credentials for future logins.
Once registered and logged in, select ‘Pair Device’ under the Echo® brake icon on the home screen.
Prior to scanning for an Echo® brake device, grant location permissions to the app and enable device location.
The app will begin scanning for an Echo® device. Once the ‘Echo® Brake Controller’ is visible, select it. Once detected, select ‘Connect’ to pair the device. You will then be prompted to enter the six-digit PIN, found under the cap of the brake controller unit or on the provided quick reference card. Once pairing is complete, you will receive a pairing successful notification and the LED light on the Echo® device will be solid blue.
Plug the trailer’s 7-way connector into the Echo® brake controller using the plug’s alignment notch and slot to properly orient the plug and receptacle. Ensure the vehicle and trailer are parked on a level surface. The LED light on the Echo® will flash yellow for five to eight seconds while calibration occurs. Once the device is calibrated, the LED will turn solid green.

APPLICATION SETUP

After pairing with the Echo®, you will be directed to the ‘Controller Profiles’ to setup your trailer’s profile. You can create and save profiles for multiple vehicles, trailers and load conditions.

Note: Setting configuration is required when trailer conditions change or if the brake controller is being used for a different trailer / vehicle. Controller Profile

In this menu, you can access the five most recently used settings. These settings are stored within the Echo® device. This option allows you or others who borrow your Echo® to access pre-configured tow settings quickly and easily.
Your active profile will display in the foreground within the active orange circle

Adding a Profile

Activating a Profile

ADDING A PROFILE

Select the ‘+’ symbol in the orange controller profile menu.
Now you will be able to modify the description of your vehicle and trailer.
Click ‘OK’ to confirm.
You are also able to modify an existing trailer name by swiping left on the profile.
Repeat steps 1 to 3 for additional trailers.

ACTIVATING A PROFILE

You can switch between different profiles by swiping left or right on the active controller profile on the home screen.
Once the chosen profile is set to active, select ‘Open’ under the connected Echo® device.

MODIFYING OR DELETING A PROFILE

Select the profile you would like to delete by swiping left or right.
Select the pencil or ‘edit’ icon next to the tow vehicle or trailer icons to enter settings.
If you would like to modify the profile, change the respective tow vehicle name or trailer name and select ‘OK’.
If you would like to delete the profile, select ‘Delete Profile’ and select ‘OK

Modifying / Deleting Profile

Settings

CONFIGURING PROFILE SETTINGS

To enter ‘Active Profile’, tap the ‘Open’ button shown under the image of Echo®. In your ‘Active Profile’ screen, you can adjust settings and use the Echo® Brake controller.

Manual Brake Activation

Activate manual braking, press and hold the orange button.

Manual brake controller activation is used in situations where a slow reduction in speed is desirable. As the manual control is activated, the Echo® begins to apply the trailer brakes. Manual output can be activated by pressing and holding the orange button in the app.

Brake Output Indicator

The orange outer ring indicates current brake output level.

The orange outer ring is a visual indicator of the current level of power being applied to the trailer brakes. When the vehicle’s brakes are fully applied, the level of power and position of the ring is determined by your max output setting.

Max Output

The maximum level of the brake controller.

The output control establishes the max amount of power available to the trailer brakes when braking. The output should be adjusted during initial setup, when trailer load changes, when different trailers are used or when adjustment is needed for changing road or driving conditions. To edit, tap the maximum output button and increase or decrease using the ‘+’ or ‘–’ buttons.

Sensitivity Level

The sensitivity of the braking power.

The sensitivity level adjusts trailer aggressiveness when activated during braking. Sensitivity adjustment has no effect on the manual brake control. The sensitivity can be adjusted for individual driver preference, trailer load changes or changing road conditions. To edit, tap the sensitivity button and increase or decrease using the ‘+’ or ‘–’ buttons.

Vehicle Hazard Lights

Turn on any time the vehicle’s hazard lights are active.

When the vehicle’s hazard lights are activated, the trailer brakes may pulse on and off as the lights flash. To prevent pulsing brake output, toggle the switch ON any time the vehicle’s hazard lights are active.

Active Profile

TEST DRIVE & ADJUSTMENT

Both the output and sensitivity can be adjusted to achieve smooth, firm stops. Output and sensitivity adjustments should only be made while stopped, with the transmission in park or neutral, parking brake applied, foot off the brake pedal, and no manual control actuation.

WARNING Perform tests and adjustments in a safe environment (parking lot or in minimal traffic area).

Starting with the output adjustment, drive forward on a dry and level paved or concrete surface. At approximately 25 mph, apply the vehicle’s brakes. If trailer braking is insufficient, increase the max output setting in the OneControl® app. If the trailer brakes lock up, decrease the max output. Repeat this process until stops are firm, just short of lock up.

Once the output is set, adjust the sensitivity by driving forward at approximately 25 mph and press the brake pedal. The vehicle and trailer should make a smooth stop. If the stop seems slow and more aggressive braking is desired, increase the sensitivity level through the OneControl® app. If the stop seems too aggressive, decrease the sensitivity level in the app.

Make several stops at various speeds and adjust the sensitivity until stops are smooth and firm. Slight adjustment to the output control may also be required to acheive desired results at all test speeds. Note: If any problems occur during setup, refer to the ‘Troubleshooting Guide’ on the last page of this manual.

WARNING This process must be repeated if there are any changes to weather / road conditions or significant changes in trailer weight or towing setup.

LED STATUS INDICATOR

A single LED on top of the Echo® shows the status of the brake controller unit. Refer to the icons and descriptions below.

Device not paired, no trailer connected (flashing blue)
Device paired, no trailer connected (solid blue)
Calibrating Echo® (flashing yellow)
Device not paired, trailer connected (flashing green)
Device paired, trailer connected (solid green)
Wiring error (flashing red)
Hardware fault (solid red)
No power (no light on)

Indicator	Status
Flashing blue	Device not paired, no trailer connected
Solid blue	Device paired, no trailer connected
Flashing yellow	Calibrating Echo
Flashing green	Device not paired, trailer connected
Solid green	Device paired, trailer connected
Flashing red	Wiring error
Solid red	Hardware fault

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

Condition	Problem Cause	Possible Solution
LED does not light	No power to brake controller, no ground on vehicle 7-way

Check vehicle power and ground wiring Trailer mode not activated for vehicleSome vehicle’s require a trailer to activate 7-way power. If a trailer is not available, the CURT 7-way tester #58272 may be used to complete setup / troubleshoot
Unable to connect to mobile devices| No power to brake controller, no ground on vehicle 7-wayInvalid Bluetooth PINReset Bluetooth connection| Check Echo LED status for powerInput PIN from label or quick reference card. Enable Bluetooth or grant permissions. Check smartphone compatibilitySelect trailer profile, tap the Echo device name, then tap the trash can icon to remove. In OS Settings, go to Bluetooth connections and ‘forget the device’
Solid red LED for more than 10 seconds| Hardware fault| Contact CURT Product Support
Flashing red LED| Contamination in trailer plug socket| Check for clean and dry trailer plug
Short in trailer brake wiring| Locate and correct short
Accelerometer error| Unplug the brake controller and plug it back in
Short or overload in trailer brakes| Troubleshoot trailer brake circuit per brake manufacturer’s instructions
No trailer brakes, pedal or manual| Mis-wired 7-way connector Improper or corroded trailer wiring Weak or missing ground| Confirm vehicle and trailer 7-way connections
No trailer brakes (pedalor manual) and app signals ‘disconnect’| Loss of trailer connection, unplugged or bad wiring| Confirm vehicle and trailer 7-way connections
No response on manual override or brake output| Mis-wired 7-way connector Improper or corroded trailer wiringNo or intermittent power to controller Weak or missing groundWireless connectivity error| Confirm vehicle and trailer 7-way connections Check Bluetooth and application settings
Reduced braking power on manual override or brake output| Weak or missing groundImproper max power or sensitivity settings Improper or corroded trailer wiring| Confirm vehicle and trailer 7-way connections Check Bluetooth and application settings Increase max power or sensitivity settings
Trailer brakes on all the time (LED is red)| Mis-wired 7-way trailer connector| Confirm vehicle and trailer 7-way connections
App signals ‘low voltage’| Low battery voltage| Check vehicle battery and replace if neededConfirm vehicle 7-way connections and wiring
App signals ‘overload’| Trailer brakes are overloaded| Reconnect the trailer connectorConfirm vehicle 7-way connections and wiringCheck trailer brake wiring for short circuits
NOTICE __**__** Screen| If a communication error occurs between the app and the brake controller, condition notifications from controller will not be sent| The brake controller will continue to function properly at the most recently programmed settings and braking operation will not be affected

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