Electric brake actuators

Electric brake controllers generally do the same function - they apply an electric current to some solenoids in the trailer braking system. I cannot say whether the Redarc system will do the job or not, because the size of the electromagnets in the trailer brakes will vary according to the type of brake and the loads to be applied. From memory, Redarc state that their unit can operate on 4 wheel braking systems, so I imagine that their unit must put out a fair bit of current. I would think that you need a fair bit of force to clamp onto a brake disc. A friend of mine had a boat trailer and the discs were totally rusted up. So much for the brakes working...

I have a redarc unit on my tug, and this unit is not proportional ie it does not sense the rate of decelleration applied or needed. It simply puts out xxx amps to the brakes, depending on where I have the control set. I would have liked to have a unit with an accelerometer inbuilt, but did not discover the lack of it until it was installed. The size of the unit allows me to install it out of sight, with only the control knob visible (mounted in one of the blank switch covers). It is great in that respect, but I would prefer to have a unit which sensed as the vehicle was slowing and then eased off the trailed brakes a bit. I guess you cannot have it all

Redarc won't work satisfactorily with electric/hydraulic brake systems.

If the Redarc won't work as Shaker says, I can tell you that a Tekonsha Prodigy, P2 and P3 all work with a Carlisle Hydrastar actuator in an electric over hydraulic disc system.

I have been successfully using a Prodigy with a Hydrastar for years. The P2, I think, and certainly the P3 have specific electric over hydraulic settings.

Just one thing to be aware of...
The 12V power for my Hydrastar comes from the caravan battery which is in turn charged while driving by a dc-dc charger. Short, heavy cabling between van battery and Hydrastar provides all the current it needs and keeps the voltage up. The blue wire from the Prodigy is just a signal wire that tells the Hydrastar what to do.

If your actuator is powered via long cabling from your vehicle battery you may have cabling issues to address.

Cheers

I would not worry too much about trying to find brake systems compatable with the redarc unit.

any electric brake system you fit to a trailer will be worth way more than the controller, particularly if it is electric over hydraulic.

Beter to sell the redarc and buy what ever controller is appropriate.

Even better make sure you buy a braking system that is pretty well universlally compatable and a controller likewise.

cheers

Since the braking controller puts out a variable pulse width delivery of energy, which is proportionate to the degree of braking, it is therefore logical other trailer units would have to receive such a signal in order to interpret how much braking to apply.

It is worrying that the suppliers and fitters of the gear have not much idea and haven't researched their system so they can advise on an application in order to maximize sales.
It would seem a smart thing to learn about, especially seeing they are dealing in braking system and it is safety related.

May work, might have a delay, not sure if it works, etc, isn't much help to the customer who relies on competent advice.

there are a few on the forum with a background in the electronics field and they probably can "see a way" if the operation of the units are known.

I'd like some explanation of why the Sensa-brake unit will not work. Both the Redarc and the motion sensing units offer a voltage to the trailer brake system as a proportion of 12 volts, as set on the unit. The standard brake magnets typically draw up to 3 Amps at full voltage; Redarc will service up to 4 wheel mounted magnet units.

The Sensa-Brake website tells me they have a propriety designed brake triggering unit so I figure you should use their whole system for proper performance.

The Felk website tells me their system works with Redarc clones as well as the motion senor types. The Felk site also tells that they use many of the same components as Dexter and Hydrastar but the physical arrangement is different.

When you write that "There are a number of large boat trailers using this electric/hydraulic system", what do you mean by "this"?

Iza

Sensabrake works off brake pedal pressure and actuated with compressed air so has pretty much nothing in common with a red arc electrical controller. You could conceivably have both units in a car for controlling different trailers, but you won't be able to control two different trailers with the one controller.

I have the Redarc in my 100 Series and it works fine with the Carlisle and disc brakes on my Kimberley Kamper. It is remote and out of the way, and great for a 1700 kg load.