CURT 51170 Spectrum Brake Controller Instruction Manual

CURT 51170 Spectrum Brake Controller Instruction Manual

51170

CONTROLS & COMPONENTS

1. Main module
2. Main module adhesive pad
3. LED display rotary knob
4. Plug connector for LED display
5. Base plate
6. Base plate adhesive pad
7. Well-nut
8. Screw, #6 – 32

TOOLS LIST

1. Drill
2. Drill bit, 5/16″
3. Phillips screwdriver
4. Pry tool

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

One or more of the following may be needed to complete the installation:

• Brake control harness, supplied with the tow vehicle (if equipped)
• CURT quick plug harness – custom connector for specific vehicles (see the CURT catalog for availability)
• CURT #51515 / #51516 – quick plug with pigtails
• CURT #51500 – universal brake control wiring kit

**IMPORTANT: Read and follow installation manual carefully. Failure to do so could result in damage to the brake control unit, loss of trailer brakes or poor brake performance. Disconnect the electrical plug between the trailer and tow vehicle before testing a breakaway switch. Failure to disconnect may damage the brake control unit. Avoid mounting the brake control module near a CB radio or other RF transmitter.
WARNING: The main module and rotary knob must be mounted firmly in place. Failure to do so could lead to improper operation and / or brake failure.
WARNING:** The main module’s positive (with 30-amp circuit breaker) and ground wires must be connected directly to the tow vehicle’s battery using a minimum of 10-gauge stranded wire. Connecting to existing wiring or an alternate ground may damage the vehicle’s circuits, lead to failure of the brake control module, loss of trailer brakes or vehicle fire.

NOTICE: Removal of the factory quick plug can void the warranty.

WIRING

Disconnect the tow vehicle’s negative battery terminal from its battery post before beginning the installation process. Most trucks and utility vehicles are equipped with a plug from the factory that allows quick brake control installation. Check the vehicle owner’s manual for plug availability, location and installation. If the mating plug supplied with the vehicle is no longer available, a CURT quick plug can be used. See the CURT catalog for application information. For tow vehicles not equipped with a factory brake control plug, we suggest purchasing the CURT universal brake control wiring kit #51500.

Mount the 30-amp, auto-reset circuit breaker as close to the battery as possible.

IMPORTANT: When passing wires through sheet metal, always go through an existing grommet. If there is no grommet, install one or use silicone sealant to protect the wires from sharp edges.

Insert two 10-gauge wires, one white and one black, from the mounted brake control to the battery area. Using a ring terminal, connect the black wire to the ‘AUX’ side of the 30-amp circuit breaker. Leave the white wire to be connected later. Using a 10/12-gauge butt connector, attach the black wire from the ‘AUX’ side of the 30-amp circuit breaker to the brake control’s black wire. Again using a 10/12-gauge butt connector, attach the white wire from the battery area to the brake control’s white wire. Run a 10-gauge blue wire from the tow vehicle’s trailer plug ‘BRAKE’ terminal to the brake control. Using a 10/12-guage butt connector, connect this wire to the brake control’s blue wire.

WIRING DIAGRAM

MOUNTING THE LED DISPLAY ROTARY KNOB

Install the LED display rotary knob before installing the main module. There are two options for mounting the LED display knob in the vehicle.

Notes: Do not insert terminals into the plug connector at this time. When inserting the LED display rotary knob into the base plate, ensure the top of the LED arc is facing the upright direction.

Base plate installation, drill mount option

1. Determine a suitable mounting location for the LED display knob.
   a. The LED display must be mounted securely to a solid surface.
   b. The LED display must be easily reached by the driver.
   c. The area behind the mounting location must be clear to avoid damage while drilling.

2. Hold the base plate in the selected position and mark the two hole locations through the base plate (Fig 1).

3. Using a 5/16″ drill bit, drill the holes at the marked locations (Fig 2).
   Note: Fig 2 – 4 show the base plate upside down due to dash panel removal for ease of installation. Removal is not required for installation.

4. Insert the provided well-nut and screw into the outer hole of the base plate to secure the base plate to the dash panel (Fig 3).

5. Feed the cable of the LED display knob through the center hole. Insert the LED display rotary knob into the base plate with the LEDs in the upright position. Press down until you hear a ‘click’ (Fig 4).

6. Route the cable behind the dash from the LED display knob to the main module. See the ‘Main Module’ section (page 7).

Base plate installation, surface adhesive mount option

1. Determine a suitable mounting location for the LED display knob.
   a. The LED display must be mounted securely to a solid surface.
   b. The LED display must be easily reached by the driver.

2. Place the base plate adhesive pad onto the base plate and adhere the base plate onto the dash in any of the four orientations (Fig 5).

3. Insert the LED display rotary knob into the base plate with the LEDs in the upright position. Press down until you hear a ‘click’ (Fig 6).

4. Route the cable coming from the LED display knob to the main module. See the ‘Main Module’ section (page 7).

WIRING THE PLUG CONNECTOR TO THE LED DISPLAY KNOB

Refer to the plug connector image (Fig 1) for the below wire locations.
Note: Keep positions 1 and 8 empty.

1. No wire
2. White
3. Green
4. Brown
5. Blue
6. Black
7. Red
8. No wire

While holding the plug connector with the locking mechanism facing downward insert the terminals into the connector with the folded metal crimp facing down (Fig 2). As each terminal is fully inserted, it will ‘click’ into place and the terminal will not pull out. When all six terminals are inserted into the plug connector and fully seated, close and latch the locking mechanism (Fig 3 and Fig 4).

UNINSTALLING THE BRAKE CONTROL

If you wish to uninstall the brake control, the plug connector attached to the LED display knob can be unpinned without cutting the interface cable. Using a small flat head screw driver unlatch the two locking tabs securing the locking mechanism in place (Fig 1). Once the two locking tabs are unlatched the locking mechanism can open (Fig 2).

With the locking mechanism open, use a pin to gently pry up the plastic tab securing the terminal in place while gently pulling on the wire (Fig 3). Repeat for all six terminals attached to the plug connector. Once all of the terminals are free the brake control can be removed from the vehicle.

MOUNTING THE MAIN MODULE

1. Determine a suitable mounting location for the main module.
   a. The unit must be mounted securely to a solid surface, preferably under the dash (Fig 1).
   b. The unit needs to be connected to the LED display rotary knob.

2. See the ‘Wiring the Plug Connector to the LED Display Knob’ section (page 6) before continuing the installation. Insert the plug connector attached to the LED display rotary knob into the main module.

3. See the ‘Set Manual Control Output and Brake Light Switches’ section (page 11) before mounting the main module.

4. Once the LED display rotary knob is connected, secure the main module in place using the provided main module adhesive pad and / or zip-ties.

5. Plug in the main module to the pigtail harness or vehicle-specific quick plug. If harness is unavailable, hard wiring will be necessary.

MODES & INDICATORS ON THE LED DISPLAY

The LED display shows the output setting when the control is activated. It is used to setup and monitor the brake control and can be used when trouble shooting. There are four modes of operation and three indicator sequences (shown below). See pages 9 and 10 for more information. Pressing control button switches between modes.

Manual Control (red progression)
Manual brake control activation is used in situations where a slow reduction in speed is desirable. As the manual control is pushed, the brake control begins to apply the trailer brakes.

The manual control can be setup to allow 100% of the unit’s power to the trailer brakes or to limit power to the output control setting. This feature is set up at installation via a small switch at the rear of the unit. See the ‘Set Manual Control Output and Brake Light Switches’ section (page 11). The brake control unit is factory-set with the switch in the ‘limited to the output control’ position.

The output will be shown on the display when the manual control is actuated. Brake light activation with the manual control is also an optional setting. Some tow vehicle circuits do not allow power for brake lights from a second source. In these applications, the brake light feature can be switched off using a second small switch at the rear of the unit. The brake light connection (red wire) is still required to activate the Spectrum™ brake control with the switch in either position.

Output Control (green to red progression)

The output control establishes the maximum amount of power available to the trailer brakes when braking. The only exception would be when the manual control is set up for 100% braking. See the ‘Set Manual Control Output and Brake Light Switches’ section (page 11).

The output control can 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.

Sensitivity Control (blue to red progression)

The sensitivity control adjusts trailer brake aggressiveness. Sensitivity adjustment has no effect on the manual control. The sensitivity control can be adjusted for individual driver preference, trailer load changes or changing road conditions.

SET MANUAL CONTROL OUTPUT AND BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES

There are two small switches located at the front of the unit, next to the port on the module. Once accessed, the switch positions can be changed using a small pointed tool.

In the illustration above, the switch on the right (#2) controls the level of output available to the trailer brakes when using the manual control. The factory default setting is the ‘ON’ position with the switch down. This set ting limits the manual control output to the level set using the output control. Moving this switch up to the ‘OFF’ position allows 100% of the output to the brakes when the manual control is actuated regardless of the output control setting.

The switch on the left (#1) controls the unit’s brake light activation feature. The factory default setting is the ‘ON’ position with the switch down. This setting activates the tow vehicle and trailer brake lights when the manual control is actuated. Moving the switch up to the ‘OFF’ position turns off the brake light activation feature and the brake lights are not activated when the manual control is actuated.

INITIAL SETUP

Once all electrical connections are complete, plug the trailer’s electrical connector into the tow vehicle’s plug while parked on a level surface. Connecting the trailer initiates the mounting position calibration mode. A green LED in ramp-up sequence will be seen on the LED display. To recalibrate, unplug and re-plug in the trailer’s electrical connector. Make the following preliminary adjustments with the trailer connected and engine running to ensure proper charge voltage. The vehicle must be in park or neutral with the parking brake applied, foot off of the brake pedal, and no manual control actuation.

Adjust the output by pressing the rotar y knob until the brake control is in the output control mode. Green-red LEDs will appear on the display. Rotate the knob clockwise or counter-clockwise as needed to set output control. Adjust the sensitivity by pressing the rotary knob until the brake control is in the sensitivity control mode. Blue-red LEDs will appear on the LED display. Rotate the knob clockwise or counter-clockwise as needed to set the sensitivity control.

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. Output and sensitivity settings will be lit a few seconds after the adjustments are made and will then go into brightness mode.

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, adjust the output control by rotating the LED display knob clockwise. If the trailer brakes lock up, adjust the output control by rotating the knob counter-clockwise. 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, adjust the sensitivity level by rotating the LED display knob clockwise. If the stop seems too aggressive, adjust the sensitivity level by rotating the knob counter-clockwise.

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 desirable.

Note: If any problems occur during setup, refer to the ‘Troubleshooting Guide’ on the last two pages of this manual.

BENCH TEST

Parts Needed:

1. Standard 1156 automotive bulb in a socket
2. Charged 12V battery
3. Alligator clip test leads OR wire and wire nuts
4. CURT #51515 / #51516 quick plug with pigtails OR push pins

Note: If a quick plug pigtail is not available, push pins can be used to make a direct connection to the female terminals of the Spectrum™ quick plug housing.

**** CAUTION: Ensure that the brake control wires, quick plug wires, push pins and test leads do not make contact with each other or any other metal surface. Failure to do so may damage the brake control.

Brake Control Setup

Connect the main module to the LED display using the wiring connector. Connect the quick plug to the main module to provide accessible wires for bench testing. Connect the white ground wire of the main module and the ground wire of the bulb to the negative terminal of the 12V battery. Leave the red brake input wire and blue output wire unconnected.

Connect the black battery wire of the main module to the positive terminal of the 12V battery. If the brake control is wired properly and the Spectrum™ is operational, the LED display will flash blue on the edges.

Ensure the Spectrum™ is level to the bench surface and connect the signal wire of the bulb to the blue brake output wire of the Spectrum™.

The LED display will ramp-up green to indicate it is checking calibration.
This ensures power to the Spectrum™, and you can proceed to test manual control and accelerometer.

Manual Control Testing
Go to the output setting and rotate the LED display knob clockwise to its maximum setting. Go to the sensitivity settings and rotate the knob clockwise to its most aggressive setting. Activate the manual control up to its full output. While actuating the manual control the brightness of the bulb will correspond with the output shown by the brake control. Release the manual control to deactivate.

Accelerometer Testing
While keeping the brake control level, connect the red brake input wire of the main module to the positive terminal of the 12V battery. The brake control output will activate and the bulb may be dimly lit. Slowly tilt the main module to about 45° and the brightness of the bulb will increase corresponding with the output shown by the brake control. Slowly tilt the main module back to level and the brightness of the bulb will decrease, corresponding with the output shown by the brake control.

After testing, disconnect the wiring from the positive terminal of the 12V battery ensuring the exposed contacts do not make contact. If the Spectrum™ does not function as described during the above test steps, return the brake control for service or replacement.

****IMPORTANT: Read and follow all warnings and cautions shown on the battery.

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

WARRANTY & PRODUCT REGISTRATION

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References

• CURT: Trailer Hitches - Trailer Wiring - 5th Wheel - Gooseneck

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