Electric Brakes

Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 27, 2010 at 20:50

ThreadID: 82162 Views:2743 Replies:4 FollowUps:1

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Member - Andrew C (WA)

Hi all,
Sorry if this has been asked before,
Just wondering what are the issues if any with electric brakes and water crossings,
Is it just a flat out bad idea, or can it be done safely with a few precautions, and what are they.

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Reply By: Dunaruna - Wednesday, Oct 27, 2010 at 21:36

Wednesday, Oct 27, 2010 at 21:36

Rusting of the components is the biggest issue, especially the magnet face. To some degree this plagues all types of braking systems.

If you are asking about the issue of electric + water, they work regardless. The electrical connections need to be soldered and shrink tubed. in other words, sealed from water ingress. The trailer plug is the likely point of electrical failure, use plenty of inox or CRC type product on the pins.

AnswerID: 434387

Reply By: Member - Duncs - Wednesday, Oct 27, 2010 at 21:59

Wednesday, Oct 27, 2010 at 21:59

I am not wanting to steel the thread but I think this is related.

Trailer brakes are, at least in my experience, unreliable. I have overide drums, they fill with dirt and don't work. Electric brakes on off road trailers have problems with the magnets falling apart.

So what are the simplest and most reliable brakes for a trailer? I have been wondering about overide disks. What problems do they have?

Duncs

AnswerID: 434390

Follow Up By: Rosco - Qld - Wednesday, Oct 27, 2010 at 23:04

Wednesday, Oct 27, 2010 at 23:04

Duncs

I would beg to differ on this one. I've had leccie brakes on an off road CT which has done the Cape twice, the Desert and numerous corrugated roads without a problem. IF they are the so called "Off Road" sets I've found they will go the distance. Fresh water per se is not really an issue as it will dry out in short order. Salt water ...... now there's a different kettle of fish entirely.
However, having said that, we've taken our rig up and down the beach on numerous occasions and other than a squirt with the hose on our return, there has been minimal maintenance with minimal issues as a result.
Horses for courses I guess, but from our experience they offer the best solution to "Whoa back" on the 1+ tonne up your clacker.

Cheers

FollowupID: 705483

Reply By: MEMBER - Darian, SA - Thursday, Oct 28, 2010 at 11:14

Thursday, Oct 28, 2010 at 11:14

I'm with Rosco - had ALKO HD elec brakes on the Campomatic CT for 5 years - teamed with a Prodigy controller, mine provided great overall braking. Considering the flogging that that hardware in the hub gets on rough roads, they would have to be considered reliable and robust by any measure ! I don't think water effects them any worse than any other type of brakes. Regular checking and maintenance is still required though, like you would on anything. In 5 years, I replaced the magnet set once - the bearings and shoes were still original when I sold it. Our current offroad van has electrics - still like them :-o).

AnswerID: 434413