Caravan brake controller

Submitted: Saturday, Jan 31, 2015 at 18:23
ThreadID: 110930 Views:3182 Replies:5 FollowUps:4
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Hi

I have a Redarc brake controller fitted to my ute. If I turn it to the second notch it barely operates the van brakes. If I go to the third notch the van braking is too severe and prolonged stop starting in traffic seems to make the drums hot. There is no happy medium.

I tend to leave it on the second notch in slow moving traffic then turn it to the third notch when on the highway. This seems to work out OK but I don't believe this is the way I should be using it.

Is there anything obvious I should be looking at??

Paul
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Reply By: TomH - Saturday, Jan 31, 2015 at 18:27

Saturday, Jan 31, 2015 at 18:27
Yes throw it in the bin and buy the new Redarc Pro which is a proportional controller and you will have no more trouble.

Like the Tekonsha models its a a set and forget.

The one you have only dials in a certain amount of force and applies it regardless of how you want it to work.
AnswerID: 545129

Reply By: MEMBER - Darian, SA - Saturday, Jan 31, 2015 at 18:58

Saturday, Jan 31, 2015 at 18:58
Re Tom's comment.........Redarc Tow-Pro
AnswerID: 545132

Follow Up By: TomH - Saturday, Jan 31, 2015 at 19:08

Saturday, Jan 31, 2015 at 19:08
Woops Sorry thats what I meant LOL
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FollowupID: 832660

Follow Up By: TomH - Saturday, Jan 31, 2015 at 22:06

Saturday, Jan 31, 2015 at 22:06
Cheapest price I could find

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/like/151562810020?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=107&chn=ps

If you have room a Tekonsha Prodigy or a P3 would be as good if not better.
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FollowupID: 832672

Reply By: Kazza055 - Saturday, Jan 31, 2015 at 20:17

Saturday, Jan 31, 2015 at 20:17
A cheaper option id the Tekonsha Primus IQ at under $80 on eBay. As long as it is a proportional unit they are fine.
AnswerID: 545135

Follow Up By: Member - Fab72 (Paradise SA) - Sunday, Feb 01, 2015 at 09:04

Sunday, Feb 01, 2015 at 09:04
I have a Primus IQ. Swear by it and wouldn't use anything but.
Fab.
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FollowupID: 832686

Reply By: swampfox - Sunday, Feb 01, 2015 at 10:12

Sunday, Feb 01, 2015 at 10:12
HI
FIRST
The best controllers are ones which have a gimble which can proportion the brake power to the G forces that it measures .
SECOND
Punch control / first initial brake power can be adjusted to be 10% 20% 30%

Summary
A proportional controller with punch control allows great operation without lock up
NB brakes must be clean adjusted ,lubed ,basically in good order

Teknoshia Prodigy or P3

As u would expect my own machinery trailer 14x6 1600kgs brakes better than my 8x5
The control has to be adjust at around 200kgs lighter or heavier trailer weight
Trailer brakes, city use last approx. 50,000km

swampfox
AnswerID: 545155

Reply By: Iza B - Sunday, Feb 01, 2015 at 14:15

Sunday, Feb 01, 2015 at 14:15
Reads like a faulty proportion control to me. Have you put a meter across the magnets and checked that the voltage proportionally increases across the range? Could also be a sticky levering system in the brakes themselves.

I have used a remote head unit for a couple of years now and the Panic button has saved us a couple of times when things get out of shape behind. Beware the Set-n-Forget attitude; identified as a factor in analysis of several crashes investigated by the Canadian Mounties, a few years ago.

Iza
AnswerID: 545165

Follow Up By: TomH - Sunday, Feb 01, 2015 at 14:39

Sunday, Feb 01, 2015 at 14:39
Firstly we should wait for OP to post whether or no it is the old or new model.

It sounds like the old one.
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FollowupID: 832705

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