20100 Engager Break Away Kit with LED Battery Monitor

I purchased it to replace the older model 20099, easy install, 15 minute job...great product and quick delivery, it arrived 5 days earlier than I expected

I'm replacing an older Hopkins engager break away kit that failed the test of time. the previous box was metal, and the LED and Test button covers where gone, which permitted ingress of moisture which pretty much killed the curcuit board. I purchased this trailer used, it had obviously stored in the salt (water) air. No Dings for Hopkins. The replacement box is some sort of reinforced plastic - which good and will negate the rusting issue.The break away bracket is zinc coated metal - which will rust in about 3 years here in the Pacific North West. I like that the membrane that protects the electronics covers the whole box and not just the test button and LED like on the old metal box. This might actually stay on.My skill levelI restore old Jaguar cars as a hobby; so I'd think I'm a bit more mechanically inclined than the average bloke. I've never owned a trailer, I didn't even know about these breakaway braking systems until I got stopped by the State Patrol. I'm an avid DIY kinda guy and have a 98% success rate on projects that I take on. That being said...Here comes the dings - HOPKINS, I HOPE YOU'RE LISTENING!1. The instructions are crap.Either the instructions are written for more than one Engager, or the instructions in my box didn't match the engager I was having difficulties with the wiring because according to the instructions, my system had 1 less wire dangling from the control box. Once I figured out that this is nothing more than a battery powered relay to the braking system, everything came together quickly.2. Multi-lingual instructions all mixed together.I am a guy and unlike the stereotype, yes I do read the instructions. I find it very distracting & quite irritating to read a multi-lingual instruction guide, where each step has all of the supported languages one right after another. It's just down right lazy and cheap on Hopkins behalf. Write the manual in such a way that each language is on it's separate section.3. Quality.The product doesn't come across as cheap. but when you look under its skirt, you'll quickly notice the lack of knickers.The electronics aren't protected in any manner; other than being in sealed plastic box. Keep in mind this box and components are outside on the tongue of a trailer; which gets most of the crap from the tow vehicle. Moisture is persistent, IT WILL FIND A WAY IN! You'd think some protection from moisture would be in order. YES the plastic box is a good start, but what's missing is protection for what's inside the box. There is not any conformal coating over the electronics to seal from the moisture in the air. The battery connections cheap big box store crimp style connectors which aren't even Soldered AND crimped. The connections are bare exposed copper (wire) connections nothing to protect the connections, not even on the positive side. Copper is highly susceptible to moisture & corrosion. With corrosion comes added resistance, which equates to heat. Electronics really don't like heat. There you have it not built to last.

This is exactly what one needs to add emergency braking to your trailer with electric brakes.It's a nice surprise to find the switch included; often that has to be hunted down separately.I bought this to replace my former battery, as it took a pounding on rough roads and is somewhere roadside in Mexico.This replacement was higher quality, and installed in minutes.

I wanted a means to apply my trailer brakes without having to wire in the trailer's 12 volt battery. This kit works great while testing the output voltage when pulling the pin. Make sure you always leave the pin in place as to keep the contacts clean incase you ever need to use this in an emergency situation. The installation was very easy, requiring grounding, 12v power and attachment to the trailer brake wire.

Does exactly what it's intended purpose is, but the supplied instructions are horribly vague. Good thing for YouTube, or I'd be lost on this one.And, in case anyone is wondering what the difference in this and the 20099 or 20119, it's that there's no mounting hardware of any kind supplied.