Troubleshooting Hydrastar EOH Actuators
Hydrastar Electric Brake Actuators are widely used for boat trailers with hydraulic brakes. If you are experiencing issues with your Hydrastar unit, you can troubleshoot it using various steps.
Troubleshoot: Hydrastar Not Working
- Use the diagram provided to ensure the wiring is correct.
- A 12-gauge cable is used to wire the unit.
- Check all wires are correctly connected to the trailer plug and car socket.
- Ensure there is no corrosion in the trailer plug and socket.
- Ensure that the component is correctly ground via the white wire at the plug and not screwed directly to the trailer chassis.
- Check that the unit is receiving power from the tow vehicle (black and blue wire from the actuator)
- Ensure your tow vehicle is compatible via the compatibility chart.
If issues persist, conduct a battery test using the procedures below. If the actuator passes the battery test, the problem is not with the Hydrastar unit.
What if my Hydrastar is clicking?
One common mistake is having the blue brake controller wiring from Hydrastar wired into the brake-away. To test this, attach a yellow wire to the positive (+) terminal and a white wire to the negative (-) terminal.
If your brake-away system is fine, try following the advice above.
What if my Hydrastar has a delayed response?
Ensure that there is an adequate level of uncontaminated brake fluid. We recommend re-bleeding your trailer braking system (starting with the Hydrastar first).
Hydrastar Battery Test Procedure
| Steps | Outcome |
Attach the BLACK wire to the positive (+) terminal, and attach the WHITE wire to the negative (-) terminal. | Hydrastar SHOULD NOT run |
| Attach BLACK and BLUE wires to the positive (+) terminal, and attach WHITE wire to the negative (-) terminal. | Hydrastar SHOULD run |
N.B. Use a 12 Volt battery source and isolate the wires from the Hydrastar when conducting this test.
Towed with same truck many times and now the brakes don’t actuate with either the cab controller or brake pedal though the truck indicates pressure applied. When I pull the brake away pump runs and applies brakes, all trailer lights work proper. Thoughts???
When I hook the white wire to negative and the yellow to positive it works fine. But when I hook the white to negative and the blue and black wire to positive the unit just clicks. And it does the same when plugged into the car. What could it be? Thanks
My XL-12 brakes apply when I press brake pedal with the remote controller even plugged in. Can there be a problem in wiring as colours don’t match to the book but I have checked them and seem fine. Thanks Tony
Hi,
My brake controller wiring does not seem to match the wiring diagrams. The unit I have has two solid white wires, whereas the diagram shows a one white wire and one solid yellow (or blue with white stripe) wire.
Can you please assist?
How do you release brake calipers without a brake roller in the the vehicle. We need to release the brakes of an empty trailer and do not have a tow vehicle with Brake unit?
Hydrastar clicks when brake controller activated and hums very quitely.
Appears to work but very little if any braking pressure. Discs are rubbed but no noticeable braking.
Hi Jim, it might be an issue with the wiring.
Hydrastar units need to have seperate wires running from the brake controller and from the brakeaway switch. Often, we’ve found clicking occurs when the blue wire from the Hydrastar is wired to the brakeaway; whereas it should be for the brake controller. I’d recommend having a look at the wiring here and see if that may be the root cause.
If that doesn’t help, feel free to give our team a call on 07 3348 3822!
I have HBA16. using RAM 1500 2023 limited. The controller is not activating the pump ?
Unit works fine using vehicle with techonska controller
Hi,
Brakes come on but do not release. Lo ked on only release when hydrolic fluid pressure line released. Same scenario with different vehicles towing trailer. Ligts etc working fine.Is it the solenoid.
wiring correct, motor sounding correct– fluid leaking out when it should be powerful when bleeding. problem definitely in the sending of fluid from box. what do I need ?
My brake controller was working, now when the pedal is applied the motor runs continuously and the brakes are not effective, can you help?
Why do the brakes come on when the controller is turned right down. Sometimes only one brake and sometimes two or three. Then sometimes they will be ok. Driving me crazy.