| SERRO SCOTTY CAMPER ENTUSIASTS BRAKE CONTROLLERS AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS |
Trailer Brake Controller Installation and Types
An electric trailer brake controller is a device that supplies power from
the tow vehicle to the trailer's electric brakes. Many styles are
available that differ from how they look, to the number of brakes they
can power, but all of them can be divided up into two main groups,
Proportional or Time Delayed. A proportional (or pendulum) brake
controller senses how quickly the tow vehicle is stopping and applies
the same amount of braking power to the trailer. With a Time Delayed
(or solid state) brake controller when you step on the vehicle brakes a
predetermined amount of braking power is sent to the trailer and then
there is a delay as the unit ramps up to full braking power.
Proportional Brake Controller
Top Rated Proportional Controllers
Tekonsha P3
Tekonsha PRODIGY
Valley Odyssey
With proportional brake controllers, once the brake pedal is stepped
on, a motion sensing device knows how fast the tow vehicle is
stopping. It then applies power to the trailer brakes equally as fast (or
slow) as the towing vehicle. This allows the trailer to stop at the same
rate as the tow vehicle. Therefore, in an extreme stopping situation
where the vehicle brakes are slammed on, a proportional controller will
immediately send the maximum preset power to the trailer brakes. This
type of brake controller provides the smoothest and quickest braking
while also providing the least amount of wear on both the vehicle and
trailer's brakes. Proportional controllers are "enabled" by the brake
pedal switch and "activated" by a pendulum circuit that senses the
vehicle's stopping motion and applies a proportional voltage to the
trailer's brakes. When properly adjusted the trailer will decelerate at
the same rate as the tow vehicle, increasing braking efficiency and
reducing brake wear.
Time Delayed Brake Controller
Top Rated Time Delayed Controllers
Draw-Tite Activator II
Draw-Tite Activator
Tekonsha Powertrac
With Time Delayed trailer brake controllers, once the brake pedal is
stepped on, the pre-determined amount of power (which is set by the
user, based on trailer weight) is sent back to the trailer brakes. On
time delayed controllers, a delay always exists from when the brake
pedal is pushed to when the unit reaches the user set, maximum
power output. The delay can be shortened or lengthened with the
'sync' switch, available on most time delayed controllers, but it
behaves the same way for every stop (slow or fast). If the sync switch
is set too low, the vehicle will do most of the initial braking, putting
extra strain on the vehicle's brakes. If the sync switch is set too high,
the trailer will be braking harder. So in most cases, either the truck or
the trailer will be doing the majority of the braking, resulting in uneven
brake wear. The time delayed brake controller system is easily
installed and is very user friendly. It can be mounted at any angle. It
also has a low profile. The amount of power that is sent back to the
brakes is adjustable using a control on the brake controller. With most
time delayed brake controllers, when towing with the hazard flashers
on, the digital display will flash with the hazard flashers. If the brake
controller is set to aggressively, pulsing may occur which will be felt in
the trailer brakes. However, a pulse preventer can isolate the brake
controller from the flashers and will elimate the pulsing and flashing on
the controller. A pulse preventer is not necessary for vehicles that
have a different bulb for the stop and turn signals, which is typical of
vehicles with amber turn signals.
BRAKE CONTROLLER INFORMATION FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE |