Tekonsha Voyager Operating Instructions: A Comprehensive Guide
Welcome to the comprehensive guide for the Tekonsha Voyager brake controller! This guide will cover everything from installation to troubleshooting, ensuring safe and effective trailer braking․ Learn to properly operate the Voyager and understand its features․
The Tekonsha Voyager is an electronic brake controller designed for trailers with 1 to 4 axles․ It provides smooth and controlled braking by sending a proportional signal to the trailer brakes based on the tow vehicle’s deceleration․ The Voyager comes with mounting hardware and has a five-year limited warranty․
Key features include a manual slide knob for manual brake application, an LED indicator to display braking power, and a power knob to adjust braking aggressiveness․ Proper installation, leveling, and adjustment are crucial for optimal performance․ This controller is designed to work with electric trailer brakes only․
Understanding the components and following instructions ensures safety․ The Voyager is parallel to travel direction․
Installation
Proper installation of the Tekonsha Voyager is essential for safe and effective operation․ This section covers wiring, mounting, and leveling the sensor to ensure optimal performance of the brake controller․
Wiring Connections for the Tekonsha Voyager
Proper wiring is critical for the Tekonsha Voyager to function correctly․ The wiring connections are as follows: The red wire connects to the stoplight switch, activating with the brake pedal․ The black wire connects to the vehicle battery through a fused 12V power source, typically a 20-amp breaker․
The white wire connects to ground, either the negative battery terminal or the chassis․ Ensure all connections are secure and properly insulated to prevent shorts or malfunctions․ Incorrect wiring can lead to brake controller failure or damage to your vehicle’s electrical system․
Always consult the vehicle’s wiring diagram and the Tekonsha Voyager manual for specific instructions․ Double-check all connections before testing the brake controller․ A solid, reliable electrical connection is essential for safe trailer braking․ Remember to use appropriate gauge wire for the connections․
If unsure, seek professional assistance for wiring․
Mounting the Brake Controller
Proper mounting of the Tekonsha Voyager is crucial for accurate braking․ The Voyager must be mounted parallel to the direction of travel, within a range of -20 degrees nose down to 70 degrees nose up․ Securely mount the brake controller using the included hardware, ensuring it is stable and does not move during operation․
Choose a location that is easily accessible for adjustments and manual activation․ Avoid mounting locations that could obstruct the driver’s view or interfere with vehicle controls․ The mounting surface should be solid and capable of supporting the brake controller’s weight․
After mounting, double-check the angle and stability before proceeding with wiring․ Ensure the Voyager is firmly attached to prevent vibrations or movement that could affect its performance․ Tighten all screws and bolts securely․
Consider using a mounting bracket for added stability and ease of installation․ A properly mounted brake controller ensures reliable and consistent braking performance for safe towing․
Leveling the Sensor
After securely mounting the Tekonsha Voyager, leveling the sensor is a critical step for optimal performance․ The Voyager uses an internal sensor to detect deceleration and apply the trailer brakes accordingly․ Accurate leveling ensures that the sensor correctly interprets braking events, providing smooth and proportional braking․
Use the level adjustment knob to fine-tune the sensor’s position․ The goal is to set the sensor so that the trailer brakes engage proportionally to the tow vehicle’s braking․ An improperly leveled sensor can lead to either too aggressive or too weak trailer braking․
Adjust the leveling until you achieve smooth and controlled stops․ Test the braking performance at various speeds and adjust the level as needed․ If the trailer brakes are too sensitive, reduce the sensor’s sensitivity․ If they are not sensitive enough, increase the sensitivity․
Fine-tune the level setting for the majority of your typical stopping situations to achieve optimal performance․
Operation
Operating the Tekonsha Voyager involves adjusting brake power, using the manual slide, and understanding the LED indicator․ These elements ensure safe and effective trailer braking control․
Adjusting Brake Power
Adjusting the brake power on your Tekonsha Voyager is crucial for ensuring smooth and safe stops․ This process involves fine-tuning the controller to match your trailer’s braking needs․ Start by towing the trailer at a slow speed on a safe, open road․ Use the power knob to increase or decrease the braking force․
The goal is to achieve firm, smooth stops without trailer sway or jerky movements․ If the trailer brakes too aggressively, reduce the power․ Conversely, if the trailer feels like it’s pushing the tow vehicle, increase the power․ Repeat this adjustment process until you find the optimal setting for your specific trailer load and driving conditions․ Remember, environmental factors such as rain, snow, or ice may necessitate further adjustments to ensure safe braking․ Over time, you will develop a feel for your trailer’s braking characteristics and be able to make adjustments more quickly․
Using the Manual Slide Knob
The manual slide knob on the Tekonsha Voyager provides direct control over your trailer’s brakes, independent of the tow vehicle’s braking system․ This feature is particularly useful in situations requiring gradual or controlled braking, such as navigating downhill grades or preventing trailer sway․ To engage the manual brake function, gently slide the knob to the left․
The further you slide the knob, the more braking power is applied to the trailer’s brakes․ Practice using the manual slide knob in a safe, controlled environment to get a feel for its sensitivity․ Avoid abrupt or full application of the manual brakes, as this can cause the trailer tires to skid․ The manual slide knob is also a valuable tool for testing the trailer brakes before a trip․ Remember that proper use of the manual slide enhances safety and control when towing․
Understanding the LED Indicator Light
The Tekonsha Voyager features a bi-colored LED indicator light that provides valuable information about the brake controller’s status and operation․ When the trailer is properly connected and the system is functioning correctly, the LED will display a green light․ This indicates that the Voyager is receiving power and is ready to activate the trailer brakes when the tow vehicle’s brakes are applied․
When the manual slide knob is activated or the brake pedal is depressed, the LED should change to red․ The intensity of the red light corresponds to the amount of braking power being applied to the trailer brakes․ A dim or flashing red light may indicate a problem with the brake controller, wiring, or trailer brakes․ Consult the troubleshooting section of this guide if you encounter any unusual LED behavior․ The LED indicator light is critical for monitoring the system․
Troubleshooting
This section provides solutions to common issues encountered while using the Tekonsha Voyager․ Use this information to diagnose and resolve problems, ensuring safe and effective trailer braking․
No Green Light When Connected to Trailer
If the Tekonsha Voyager displays no green light when connected to the trailer, several potential issues could be the cause․ Begin by inspecting the trailer plug for corrosion on the contact points; clean if necessary․ Ensure that the power and ground connections are secure and free of corrosion․ A loose connection can prevent the controller from receiving power, thus inhibiting the green light from illuminating․
Check the wiring for any damage or breaks, and verify that the wiring connections are correct according to the wiring diagram․ If the wiring is correct, inspect the tow vehicle’s trailer wiring harness for any faults․ A blown fuse or a faulty relay in the tow vehicle’s wiring could also prevent power from reaching the brake controller․ If the issue persists, it could be a sign of an internal problem with the brake controller itself, requiring professional inspection․
No Red Light When Manual Slide Knob is Activated
When the manual slide knob is activated on the Tekonsha Voyager, and no red light illuminates, there are a few likely culprits to investigate․ First, ensure the power knob is not set at or near its minimum, as this may prevent the red light from appearing․ If the power is adequately adjusted, a short on the brake line (blue wire) could be the reason․ Inspect the blue wire and its connections for any signs of damage or short circuits․
Another possibility is reversed black and white wires․ Verify these are correctly connected․ An external 12-volt source on the brake line can also cause this issue, so ensure no other voltage is interfering․ Check the ground line (white wire) for any open connections․ If the light is dim or flashing red, it could indicate a weak connection or a more complex wiring problem that requires professional assistance․
No Red Light When Brake Pedal is Depressed
If the Tekonsha Voyager fails to display a red light when the brake pedal is depressed, several factors could be responsible․ First, confirm that the vehicle is in motion, as some brake controllers require movement to activate the trailer brakes․ Check that the brake light signal is being properly transmitted by testing the voltage on the red wire․ If there’s no voltage, inspect the stoplight fuse and replace it if necessary․
An improperly set sensor can also prevent activation․ Refer to the leveling sensor adjustment instructions to ensure it’s correctly calibrated․ A bad connection on the red wire can disrupt the signal, so examine the wire for damage or loose connections․ Any of these issues can lead to the absence of a red light when braking․ Addressing these points should help identify the source of the problem․
Additional Information
Explore further resources for your Tekonsha Voyager․ This section includes warranty details, safety advice, and instructions for adjusting trailer brakes․ Refer to the technical assistance information for support․
Warranty Information and Technical Assistance
The Tekonsha Voyager brake controller is backed by a five-year limited warranty, offering peace of mind․ For technical assistance, call 1-888-785-5832 or visit www․tekonsha․com․ Ensure proper installation within the specified mounting angles (-20 to 70 degrees)․
The warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship․ Do not mount or activate RF generating items near the brake control․ If you encounter issues, consult the troubleshooting section of this guide first․ Verify all wiring connections and consult a professional if needed․
For warranty claims, provide proof of purchase and a detailed description of the problem․ The Tekonsha website offers additional support resources and FAQs․ Remember to register your product online to streamline any future warranty claims․ Keep these instructions for future reference․
Important Safety Facts
Always prioritize safety when operating the Tekonsha Voyager․ The Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) must never exceed the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation․ This control is specifically designed for use with electric trailer brakes․ Never mount or activate RF generating items near the brake control․
Ensure the brake control is mounted within -20 to 70 degrees․ Failure to comply can cause inoperability․ Regularly inspect wiring connections for corrosion or looseness․ Before each trip, test the manual slide knob and brake pedal functionality․ Familiarize yourself with the LED indicator light signals․
If you experience unusual braking behavior, immediately stop and inspect the system․ Do not attempt repairs without proper knowledge and tools․ Consult a qualified technician for assistance․ Always connect safety chains and electrical connectors before towing․ Distribute trailer load evenly to prevent instability․
Adjusting Trailer Brakes
Properly adjusting trailer brakes is crucial for safe towing․ Begin by ensuring trailer brake magnets are functioning correctly․ Uneven braking can indicate a faulty magnet․ Adjust brake power on the Tekonsha Voyager for smooth and firm stops․ Overly aggressive settings can cause wheel lockup․
Perform initial adjustments on a level surface․ Use the power knob to increase or decrease braking force․ Test the brakes at low speeds, gradually increasing to highway speeds․ Fine-tune adjustments based on trailer load and road conditions․ If braking feels delayed, adjust the level sensor․
Regularly inspect brake linings for wear and tear․ Replace worn linings promptly to maintain optimal braking performance․ Ensure all brake components are properly lubricated․ Consult a qualified technician for complex adjustments․ Proper trailer brake adjustment enhances safety and prolongs brake life․