Portable brake controller

Thanks Nick

Caravan hire places use the set up sometimes I think. Basically it's a loom with a brake controller on it. I plug connects to trailer plug on car, second trailer plug connects to van. Loom is just fed through middle of car (yep, open rear door/boot & slam it shut) & plugs into 12v.

The reason they charge a lot, they have to insure it and once its out of the shop it is out of their control. They have a duty of care and could be held negligent if someone is injured or killed in a brake related accident.

Only way I would do that for a customer is if I wired the vehicles with permanent wiring that complies, and most controllers have to be securely mounted with fairly strict guidelines as to angles and accessibility.

The people that just wanted it to be temporary for one trip so it didn't cost much, well their first trip was to another workshop.

I don't really fancy being plucked out of society in years to come on involuntary manslaughter charges because the lead got caught in the tailgate catch and the car got pushed into a roundabout in front of a bus. Extreme, maybe, but ultimately that's what saving someone a few bucks can do for you.

Hey Steph : I think you're 200 deserves something a bit more classy than that ....
Hahah :-)

Yeah fair call.

Some manufacturers, including Redarc make trailer mounted brake controllers, there is nothing installed in the tow vehicle.

Shaker
Yes you are correct. I fitted one to a 4 ton capacity trailer a short time ago. It has a variable setting and is fixed to the trailer, not flapping on a lead somewhere though.
Has to be preset for the load.

The controller does not have to be in the back - store on the centre console in easy reach of the driver.

These portable units have been around for years and are being sold on ebay.

With a "stored somewhere" brake controller, how do you set and or vary the required braking force on the trailer and how do you operate the manual override to activate it manually. These are all promoted aspects of many controllers.
Perhaps Tekonsha and a couple of others don't know anything about brake controllers.
Just because autonomous units are sold on Ebay doesn't necessarily mean it is fit for purpose.

To the best of my knowledge it is no longer legal to fit drawbar mounted brake controllers unless replacing an existing unit fitted before whatever the cut off date was, they now need to be driver adjustable on the fly.

Also be weary of buying brake controllers off ebay, I once rang tekonsha in America and asked who else imported them into au because my supplier at the time was charging me more than they were being sold on ebay for.

As it turned out I was getting them from the most economic legit importer. The ones being sold on ebay were not legal for use in Australia, France and Australia have different laws and were the only 2 countries where the brake lights have to activate when the panic control is activated, the others look exactly the same but don't have the extra cct board fitted to make this happen.

There are many things that isn't illegal to sell in Australia, but it is illegal to use in Australia.

Yes and notice that the cable is long enough to reach the dash as it is power from the ciggy socket. This will make it within reach for adjusting.

I personally see nothing wrong with this for a temporary user.

Here is an extract from the Australian standards for trailer brakes.

https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2010C00150

5.2.17.1. the power supply (generator and battery) of the motor vehicle shall have a sufficient capacity to provide the current for an electric braking system. With the engine running at the idling speed recommended by the manufacturer and all electrical devices supplied by the manufacturer as standard equipment of the vehicle switched on, the voltage in the electrical lines shall at maximum current consumption of the electrical braking system (15 A) not fall below the value of 9.6V measured at the connection. The electrical lines shall not be capable of short circuiting even when overloaded;

So if you check the fuse in any modern vehicles cigarette lighter circuit you will almost definitely find it is 10 amp, even if you up it to 20 amp, which is not recommended, it will not supply 15 amps without the risk of damaging the wiring.

It is standard practice in the industry to have the controller supplied direct from the battery through a 20 amp auto reset breaker for single axle and 25 amp for duel axle with no other accessory running off the breaker, this eliminates failure of the supply to the emergency brake function due to any other electrical fault.(check the schematics for your vehicle and see how many other things run off the ciggy lighter fuse not to mention added accessories such as CB radio and phone chargers)

But it is your life you are choosing to risk to save how much? the price of a good bottle of whisky.

Scary part is that there are other innocent people likely to get injured or killed when your 10 amp fuse blows and guess what, you will end up at the very least in jail because you failed to adhere to the above LAW.

They wouldn’t be legal if you have to touch your phone to activate the emergency braking, which is crazy because you can use a normal brake controller.

That would be interesting to test. They are ADR approved provided the phone is mounted in a cradle and connected to power. The conflict will be with State phone usage laws.

Even if the phone is in a cradle, it can’t be touched. As you say, it would be interesting, but the way the law is, it can’t be used to it’s full capabilities,
$476.00 & 4 points, no thanks!

It depends what state you are in - in some jurisdictions you can touch the phone when it is in a cradle and not being as a phone - eg a GPS

Every one that I have checked forbids it, also not allowed to enter data in to a GPS unless pulled over out of a traffic lane. Could you indicate in which States it is permissible.

I might send an email off to the supplier and see what they say as it would be worth knowing what they have determined. Regardless, I wouldn’t want to have to reach and swipe to operate the emergency brake when a lever is much more guaranteed. If I really needed multiple tow vehicle support I would consider but fixed installation is preferable.

Update: Their FAQ explains it and has a useful reference to each State and NZ and their exceptions including links to the State rules. Of course it doesn’t mean all law enforcement officers will always interpret the same.

@ Shaker "Every one that I have checked forbids it, also not allowed to enter data in to a GPS unless pulled over out of a traffic lane. Could you indicate in which States it is permissible"

You didn't look very hard - NSW - look at their mobile phone usage page. In particular the FAQ page.

Only requirement is in a cradle, and must not obscure vision and cannot be touched if not in a cradle.

Other uses like playing music have the same requirement but must not be touched and have to be controlled via voice or bluetooth.

I looked as hard as felt necessary, did you want me to check every State & Territory?.
I had read the NSW rules & they clearly say that you can’t touch the phone to make or receive calls, or to play music. They also say that you can use it as a GPS, but doesn’t mention touching it.

300 Use of mobile phones by drivers (except holders of learner or provisional P1 licences)
(1) The driver of a vehicle must not use a mobile phone while the vehicle is moving, or is stationary but not parked, unless:
(a) the phone is being used to make or receive a phone call (other than a text message, video message, email or similar communication) or to perform an audio playing function and the body of the phone:
(i) is secured in a mounting affixed to the vehicle while being so used, or
(ii) is not secured in a mounting affixed to the vehicle and is not being held by the driver, and the use of the phone does not require the driver, at any time while using it, to press any thing on the body of the phone or to otherwise manipulate any part of the body of the phone, or

Keep looking - is took me 5 seconds to go straight to the page on the NSW Government Website - hint Roadsafety - Know the Rules - Mobile Phones - FAQ

"Can I use the GPS function on my mobile phone?

Yes, if you have a full unrestricted licence. You can use a mobile phone as a driver’s aid, such as GPS, as long as it is secured in a mounting fixed to the vehicle and doesn’t obscure your view of the road. You cannot hold your phone to use the GPS function.

No, if you have a learner or provisional licence, you are not permitted to use a mobile phone at all while driving."

Yes you can use it as a GPS, but as with the rules regarding GPS use, you can’t enter data whilst driving, so it amounts to the same thing.

Read the rules again. It has been pointed out to you where they are. If you are on a full licence and your mobile phone is in a cradle you can touch it if being used as a GPS - if it is not in a cradle you cannot touch it.

Especially with sports mufflers!