Electronic Brake Controller

[THoltz]

I have a Tekoshna controller I bought in 2000. Now that it 2008 and electronic advancements seem to happen at the blink of an eye, what type of controllers do yo guys use? I am thinking of buying something newer that is rated for up to a three axle trailer. Is there a controller that has a better sensing system to offer better braking power? Thank you.

 

[wcjp]

Tekonsha Prodigy or Prodigy P3.

 

[jelag]

I have several trucks... . my favorite controller is the brake smart...

The brake smart uses a pressure sensor in the brake system. . the harder you press the pedal the higher the gain and higher voltage going to the trailer brakes... there is no delay.....

You can set the controller up for a variety of trailer weights. . I personally like to feel the trailer brakes give a slight tug as they start to come on and get firmer as the truck brakes come on...

On bad weather days this tends to keep the trailer in line and in a panic stop, as you lean into the brake pedal and the truck starts to come to a fast stop, the trailer brakes are really coming on to keep it straight. .

Two things I dislike about the brake smart... the promise for a EGT input, it has the software but not the firmware, and the price... .

 

[THoltz]

jelag,



What is the purpose of the EGT input in the brakesmart?

 

[SierraRam]

Prodigy has always worked great for me, never have had a issue.

 

[Bob Cochran]

I have what is called a Jordan and ti works liek the Brake Smart but instead of pressure it works off brake pedal travel via a cable. It is a lot cheaper and very simple but Jordan the man who build it has sold it and as of this second don't remember to who and if it has been re-introduced. As I recall the company that bought was going to improve it and if like others it will be more complicated and more prone to failures. I hope I am wrong because I really like the KISS principle for most things. If my Jordan stops working and cannot fix it wodl buy the Brake Smart. Hope this helps some in the mean time will see if I can find out if this the Jordan has been re-introduced and by who.

 

[Larry Willard]

I love the Maxbrake controller I have. Like the Brake Smart it has a tee that goes in the brake system on the truck to sense the amount of brake application. Very smooth and the best controller I have used in 20 years.

Larry

 

[klenger]

Brake Smart

 

[Bob Cochran]

I just have to show my age!!! In the early 60's I believe Tekonsha had a brake controller that work similar to the Brake Smart by Tee into the brake line. I loved it then but they stopped making it. Now the idea is back I guess it proves good ideas even old ones never die.

 

[Bill Stockard]

I just have to show my age!!! In the early 60's I believe Tekonsha had a brake controller that work similar to the Brake Smart by Tee into the brake line. I loved it then but they stopped making it. Now the idea is back I guess it proves good ideas even old ones never die.

Supposedly the hydraulic to electric controllers were discontinued because of antilock brake systems.



Yep, I had a Kelsey-Hayes modular hydraulic to electric brake control that worked perfectly for years. It had a tee at the master cylinder with a hydraulic line to a sealed electronic module mounted on the firewall near the master cylinder. A wire harness from the module connected to the controller mounted on the dash. I towed trailers for thousands of trouble free miles with it. I have never liked the electronic inertia type controllers and I miss not having the K-H controller.



I'm seriously considering the Maxbrake controller like Larry Willard is using. When I do, my Prodigy is going into the dumpster!



Bill

 

[Bob Cochran]

Supposedly the hydraulic to electric controllers were discontinued because of antilock brake systems.



Yep, I had a Kelsey-Hayes modular hydraulic to electric brake control that worked perfectly for years. It had a tee at the master cylinder with a hydraulic line to a sealed electronic module mounted on the firewall near the master cylinder. A wire harness from the module connected to the controller mounted on the dash. I towed trailers for thousands of trouble free miles with it. I have never liked the electronic inertia type controllers and I miss not having the K-H controller.



I'm seriously considering the Maxbrake controller like Larry Willard is using. When I do, my Prodigy is going into the dumpster!



Bill

You are right it was a Kelsey-Hayes now that you said it and I read it in black and right. AHHHHH the memory going fast it seems these days. :-laf

 

[Grizzly]

For 20 some years I've had other brake controllers, but recently I installed a BrakeSmart. Last week we took a trip in Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado with many high mountain passes towing our 27' 5er. The BrakeSmart was absolutely the best and smoothest controller I've ever had. It's a little spendy, but well worth the money.

 

[Bob Cochran]

Don't you just love the feeling of the inertial brake control when it is wet and slippery and the truck braking ok and tow vehicle does not pushing you down the road. All ok in the dry and yea I know you supposed to readjust the control but in real live when it start raining do we do this.