 Roanoke, Va  Last
updated: Apr.09, 2012
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When someone asks 'What is the best brake controller?', there are several things to consider. This page will provide information that should assist you in making the right decision based on your towing needs. |
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Factors to consider:
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Importance:
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Once you can answer these questions, the choice should be easier. Whatever you should decide, be sure you understand the operation and how to properly setup and adjust your controller. You will eventually need to do this. Your family, tow vehicle, trailer and others are all at risk if something should happen to go wrong. |
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Definitions: Proportion - according to Merriam-Websters: 1:
harmonious
relation of parts to each other or to the whole: balance, symmetry
2 a: proper
or equal
share <each did her proportion of the work>
b: quota, percentage 3: the
relation of
one part to another or to the whole with respect to magnitude,
quantity, or degree: ratio
4: size,
dimension
5:
a statement of equality between two ratios in which the first of the
four terms divided by the second equals the third divided by the fourth
(as in 4/2=10/5) — compare extreme 1b, mean 1c — in proportion:
proportional
To apply 'proportional' to braking suggests that you can map the brake pedal actions from the driver (input) to braking power voltage (output) to electric brakes of the RV. No braking = 0VDC output, Full braking = 12VDC output with all intermediate voltage values corresponding respectively to the TV braking. For the purpose of this document, the term 'Proportional Braking' will be used to describe any brake controller that provides varying output to the RV brakes based on varying input from the TV or driver including interia operated devices. |
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The table below describes the 5 methods I am aware of for detecting braking demands.
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The table below identifies the manufacturer and model, the maximum number of brakes the controller will operate, whether the controller supports electric over hydraulic, sensing method and estimated cost from online stores. The pricing is was found on the internet using the normal search features and known online discount stores. You may be able to find a better deal. All brake controllers are activated by some method related to touching the brake pedal; either by the brake light switch or the device itself. |
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Note: Reese was purchased by Tekonsha sometime early to mid 2009. ⁿ - Information on the Jordan Ultima 2020 is scarce since they were sold. The indication that Jordan works with Electric/Hydraulic is based on at least 1 user having the Jordan in operation with E/H brakes over 4 years. |
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Manual Operator: All controllers have some method of being operated manually. Some controllers will provide full voltage output when the manual operator is moved all the way to the stop. Some controllers will activate the brake lights when the manual operator is used. These are features you need to determine if they are important to you. Display: Most controllers have a digital display used during setup and configuration. This display is also used to provide feedback to the driver such as boost, trailer not connected indicator, shorted indicator, missing or open ground and other diagnostics. Some are offering various color panels for the display area. Connector harness: Most controllers have a wiring harness available with a connector at each end - plug on one end matching the TV receptacle and the plug on the other end matching the brake controller. This is the most simple installation. You will need to check each model for availability and usually ordered separately based on the vehicle make/model and brake controller mfg. Sensing methods: I believe, and most agree, the most important element of a brake controller is the sensing method used to detect the braking demands of the driver. Each mfg may be different. The issue of when the brakes actually "turned on" is a matter of milliseconds. The inertia brake controller is essentially primed (meaning the accelerometer is operating) when you release the brakes, but there should not be any output at that time. If that were the case that would mean everytime you decelerate your trailer brakes are applied. I believe this could test this by simply watching the output of an inertia type controller. If you release the go-pedal, is there any output with Boost Off/On? If there is no output, that means there is a lag time until the MC is pressurized and the TV begins to slow...and a little more lag time for the accelerometer to operate to provide output. Time line for braking: - Acceleration/Normal driving - remove foot from accelerator - contact brake pedal - brake controller is initialized << wake up signal - brake pedal pressure applied - brake pressure builds in MC - TV begins to decelerate << this delay should not exist with a hydraulic system - brake controller provides output It would be unfair and inaccurate to compare when a brake controller turns on vs when there is actual useable output to the trailer brakes. Electric over hydraulic (E/H) capable: Electric over hydraulic brake systems are relatively new compared to conventional electric brakes and controllers. Many of the modern electric brake controllers are presently (10/2009) being tested by the hydraulic actuator mfgs for use with the Electric over Hydraulic actuators. I was not able to verify whether each controller was able to handle Electric over Hydraulic brakes and it is so noted below by Unk (unknown) in the above table. Contact the mfg of the E/H actuator and/or brake controller with specific questions. Integrated brake controllers: American auto makers (Ford, GM and Dodge) trucks are now offering integrated brake controllers as an option with the Tow Packages. Each of those manufacturers are using the Brake Fluid Pressure method for sensing of braking demands. |
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Electric over Hydraulic Brake Systems The difference between standard electrically operated brakes and Electric over Hydraulic is the brake controller provides power to the brake solenoids for standard brakes. When applied to E/H the brake controller is feeding an electric motor. The motor drives a hydraulic pump which feeds the hydraulic brakes. These are mfgs I am aware of - there may be more. Dexter: http://www.dexteraxle.com/home http://www.dexteraxle.com/inc/sdetail/1126 http://dexteraxle.com/brake_controller___actuators http://dexteraxle.com/i/u/1080235/f/6-8K_Service_Manual_3-08/Electric_Brakes_2-08.pdf Carlisle HydraStar: http://carlislebrake.com/pdfs/Controller List 9-12-07.pdf http://www.carlislebrake.com/trailer_brake_actuators.php Kodiak: Kodiak Trailer http://www.kodiaktrailer.com/ http://www.youtube.com/southwestwheel Alko: http://www.al-kousa.com/ Titan Trailer Components: http://www.titanbrakes.com.au/ http://www.titan-intl.com/titan-trailer DirectLink actuator and components: http://direclink.webplus.net/direclink.html Also see this awesome sketch: Electric and Electric over Hydraulic Brakes sketch For reference - Air and Vacuum Over Hydraulic brakes: http://www.tpub.com/content/engine/14081/css/14081_89.htm http://www.tpub.com/content/engine/14081/css/14081_91.htm |
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| Helpful
links - These links are provided to assist in finding information and
online stores. They may not be to mfg home sites. *** At the present time (May 10, 2010) the BrakeSmart controller is experiencing a problem with a vendor related part. Contact your dealer for more information on the BrakeSmart controller. Sep 1, 2010 - Update - BrakeSmart may have been sold to Bill Barnett (817)504-1983 No longer offered from Dr. Performance ***. The BrakeSmart Co. << Out of business MaxBrake: $350.00 - Complete w/harness, fittings and instructions http://www.maxbrake.com/brake-controller.php MaxBrake installation video: http://www.maxbrake.com/brake-controller.php Jordan: $130.00 - Order harness separate if available Jordan is no longer available - this information is provided for those who own or need information. http://www.bestbrakecontroller.com/ Tekohsha Faqs: http://www.tekonsha.com/product/faq.asp Tekonsha Primus IQ: Tekonsha Primus Valley Odessy: Valley Odessy Kelsey-Hayes: Kelsey-hayes Hayes G2: http://www.brakecontroller.com/g2.htm Several different brands: Various Brand - General Information |
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Other information and links to online stores: http://members.cox.net/bruce.wittmeier/technical/LinksRelatedRVing.html |
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| This
page was created with
KompoZer
0.8b1 Bruce A. Wittmeier |
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