Dealseeker,<br><br>Broken down to its basic components an electrical braking system is comprised of four parts:<br><br>A power supply = the truck's battery<br><br>trailer brake= an electromagnet that moves the brake shoes<br><br>something to carry the current from the power source to the electromagent = truck and trailer wiring, and;<br><br>something to control the flow of current between the power source and the electromagnet = brake controller<br><br>The brake controller is added to the system by the owner. It is simply a variable resister located in the positive wire between the battery in the truck and the electromagnet in the trailer brake. The resistance can be controlled in a number of ways:<br><br>Early vehicles tapped into the hydraulic system and moved a piston in the controller much like a wheel cylinder in your truck brakes. <br><br>Due to changes in braking system technology, tapping into the hydraulic system is no longer allowed and most manufacturers incorporate a decelerometer into the brake controller that senses when you slow the tow vehicle. The greater the rate of slowing, the more current flows to the resistor and the more current to the electromagnet. <br><br>Some controllers incorporate a simple timing mechanism that increases current over time when the contoller received a signal from the vehicle brake light circuit.<br><br>Some controllers use a small cable attached to the brake pedal to move the variable resistor to control the current flow. <br><br>All have pros and cons attached to them. I hope that helps you to understand basically how the system works and what a controller is.<br><br>Casey

 

Tekonsha Sentinel here. Two years trouble free and I pull up to 26000 pounds.

 

Awesome information and advice. Casey and Nevada, thanks for your time and effort . Dieseldude, &quot;up to 2600 pounds&quot;, wow that's right up there with my minivan . Just kidding, me thinks a digit got omitted ;D; thanks for your vote.

 

OK guys. Very good information but don't forget the Break-away switch. All trailers with a gvwr 1500 lbs. or more will have brakes that are operated from inside the towing vehicle and that are applied simultaneously with the brakes of the towing vehicle. All trailers over 1500 lbs. gvwr must also have a break-away switch which will lock up the trailer brakes in case of a separation of the trailer from the towing vehicle. On almost all late model camp trailers, either pull or 5er, the breakaway is powered by the auxillary battery(s). You must make sure the battery(s) is charged.<br><br>In almost all states if you are stopped by a trooper, and are pulling a trailer, he will check your break-away switch, and will immediately make you quit pulling until the switch is hooked up, and operating properly.<br><br>Stan (Retired DOT)

 

Thanks Stan, that's what I thought. I was beginning to think I was crazy .

 

[quote author=dealseeker link=board=11;threadid=12007;start=15#113934 date=1047312310]<br>Dieseldude, &quot;up to 2600 pounds&quot;, wow that's right up there with my minivan . Just kidding, me thinks a digit got omitted ;D; thanks for your vote.<br>[/quote]<br><br>Where do you see a digit omitted??? ;D ;D ;D ;D

 

Hey that's cheating .

 

P Kennedy, just curious, how well does the Jordan work without the pedal connection hocked up? <br><br>thanks