Disappointed in Disc Brakes
I admit, I choose that topic just to get your attention. It’s the actuator and its integration with the brake controller that leaves me disappointed. I’m very interested in hearing others’ experienc...
Forum Discussion
lenr wrote:
Thanks for the responses--
Update and details: My 2012 XLT does have an Electric Hydraulic setting, and that is what it is set on. It has been my goal from the start to try to make the IBC work because I want trailer braking controlled by how hard I push on the petal. The IBC set to electric has worked fine with drum brakes. The truck is an XLT—don’t know if that affects additional adjustments, but I can find nothing but gain. The advantage of a Prodigy would be that the initial boost could be set such that it turns the pump on and the gain could be set for smooth transition from that point to just below tire lockup. My present setup is ANYTHING but smooth.
One question does seem to be answered—Titan gets the vote. I’m going to research the interface module—maybe it provides different functions beyond proper loading for controllers lacking hydraulic settings. Part of the problem with the Dexter actuator is that it does have a higher turn on voltage, so it doesn’t get rolling until the controller is calling for a good chunk of braking—thus the jerkiness. Maybe the interface helps with that issue.
I believe the Lariat and above trim levels with Productivity screen had additional settings which allowed for a low/med/high output setting..
Sounds like the Dexter actuator may be the culprit if it needs a higher turn on voltage.
Ford IBC like a lot of modern brake controllers use a modulated waveform on the output, basically turns 12V on/off quickly rather than a linear voltage ramp up/down. AKA "PWM" (Pulse Width Modulation) the longer on voltage, the more current is allowed to flow, turn on voltage for shorter time and less current flows.
Sounds like the Dexter controller is not able to deal well with this..
Adding a old brake magnet or resistor may help filter the choppy output so the actuator is able to properly interpret the IBC output (which is the solution for IBCs that do not have EOH setting).
Using a Prodigy just simply MASKS the short coming of the actuator by giving a "boost setting".. But the Prodigy like the Ford IBC also modulates the output voltage (PWM) so it may or may not solve the Dexter actuator problem fully..
