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Thread: Electric Brake Controller Install

  1. #11
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    Only thing I can think of that keeps Mick saying what he is - the OLD redarc non proportional units (eg 20 years ago) were a simple unit.

    Long gone the way of the dinosaurs and all units since are proportional / inertial.

  2. #12
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    Hi All,
    Just for my interest.
    I assume the inertial sensor is inside the control unit.
    Soooo , is the mounting orientation of the control unit important or do they use some digital magic to sort that out ?

    And do they plug into the CAN bus now days, or do they just slave off the brake light ?

    Cheers Glen.

  3. #13
    BradC is offline Super Moderator
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    What I can't figure out is why they didn't adapt the old "sliding hitch" from the hydraulic over-rider brakes and use that to actuate the electric brakes. Fully proportional and no "fudging" guesswork. These electric brake controllers seem to be getting progressively "smarter" to solve a control system problem that was solved 50 years ago.

  4. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by BradC View Post
    What I can't figure out is why they didn't adapt the old "sliding hitch" from the hydraulic over-rider brakes and use that to actuate the electric brakes. Fully proportional and no "fudging" guesswork. These electric brake controllers seem to be getting progressively "smarter" to solve a control system problem that was solved 50 years ago.
    Because nobody wants the shunting sensation of the sliding hitch - especialliy downhill, offroad, in slipery conditions

  5. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by BradC View Post
    What I can't figure out is why they didn't adapt the old "sliding hitch" from the hydraulic over-rider brakes and use that to actuate the electric brakes. Fully proportional and no "fudging" guesswork. These electric brake controllers seem to be getting progressively "smarter" to solve a control system problem that was solved 50 years ago.
    I hate overrun brakes on any trailer.. Hate.

    They are just horrible how they operate.

  6. #16
    BradC is offline Super Moderator
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    Quote Originally Posted by shack View Post
    I hate overrun brakes on any trailer.. Hate.

    They are just horrible how they operate.
    Huh. Haven't had that experience, ever. Perhaps it's just harder to get hydraulic overriders set up right.

  7. #17
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    The tiniest amount of wear on the brake shoes requires constant adjustment of the actuator, it drives me nuts.

    Electric brakes all the way for me, and you have the override available in the event of a failure on the vehicle, or if you got into a dangerous situation and needed to brake the trailer harder than the car.

  8. #18
    BradC is offline Super Moderator
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    Quote Originally Posted by shack View Post
    The tiniest amount of wear on the brake shoes requires constant adjustment of the actuator, it drives me nuts.
    How odd. Ours are self adjusting. I just give them a clean and lube when I re-pack the wheel bearings every couple of years and flush the brake fluid. I think it's on its third set of shoes in just over 200,000k.

    Quote Originally Posted by shack View Post
    Electric brakes all the way for me, and you have the override available in the event of a failure on the vehicle, or if you got into a dangerous situation and needed to brake the trailer harder than the car.
    Can't argue with that. Anyway, still didn't get an answer to my original question and obviously not likely to so I'll leave it here.

  9. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by BradC View Post
    How odd. Ours are self adjusting. I just give them a clean and lube when I re-pack the wheel bearings every couple of years and flush the brake fluid. I think it's on its third set of shoes in just over 200,000k.



    Can't argue with that. Anyway, still didn't get an answer to my original question and obviously not likely to so I'll leave it here.
    Sorry...If the original question was about why they didn't use the overrun slide principle to operate the brakes electronically, I guess the answer is that they effectively did, but moved it to an electronically sensed setup which works much more smoothly and gradually and prevents the nasty bucking around of the trailer as well as the wear of the slide.

    That's my take.

  10. #20
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    Another problem with the old override systems was the flip over lockout when reversing. How many times have drivers forgotten to flip it back again, but the constant shunting was a real PIA.
    I rarely check my brake controller other than to make sure it lights up when I first connect the caravan up. I can tell by feel whether it needs to be adjusted or not, and surely most drivers once they have used it a few times should be able to do the same.
    The installation instructions tell you what angles are suitable for mounting. With the newer Redarc if I remember correctly, it is not critical but the last Tekonsha that I had it gave the angles that the controller had to remain within.
    Surely if fitting these devices as a DIY exercise, you should familiarise yourself with both the fitting instructions from the manufacturer, and any rules regarding their installation and use as required by your state in which the trailer is registered. Anything less is surely laziness and incompetence.
    Cheers
    LuckyLes

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