Timed vs inertia brake controllers
Our TV has a Reese sumthin sumthin timed brake controller, for use on up to 4 axle trailers. Are we destined to crash and burn due to not having the other style?
Forum Discussion
Time based brake controllers do work - they apply the trailer brakes - but they do NOT work relative to what a driver may want.
Time based controllers have 2 settings:
- Max voltage - you set this based on your rig and how your tow vehicle controls the trailer
- Time - this is in seconds. The time is used to define the slope of output voltage. Always starts at 0 and ramps up til either you remove your foot from the brake pedal or the brake controller times out. At that point you will reach the preset voltage output.
If you set the brake controller time for 3 seconds it will take 3 seconds before you reach the preset voltage output no matter how much braking you want or need.
To get immediate maximum braking you need to set the voltage output to the maximum and set the time to 0. Then every time you touch the brake pedal you will instantly apply maximum trailer braking regardless of speed or need.
There are too many other options that are proportional to driver demands and price competitive to justify a fully electronic brake controller. They just arent as safe as others.
Time based controllers have 2 settings:
- Max voltage - you set this based on your rig and how your tow vehicle controls the trailer
- Time - this is in seconds. The time is used to define the slope of output voltage. Always starts at 0 and ramps up til either you remove your foot from the brake pedal or the brake controller times out. At that point you will reach the preset voltage output.
If you set the brake controller time for 3 seconds it will take 3 seconds before you reach the preset voltage output no matter how much braking you want or need.
To get immediate maximum braking you need to set the voltage output to the maximum and set the time to 0. Then every time you touch the brake pedal you will instantly apply maximum trailer braking regardless of speed or need.
There are too many other options that are proportional to driver demands and price competitive to justify a fully electronic brake controller. They just arent as safe as others.
