Saturday, Sep 22, 2012 at 23:37
I've just done this a few weeks ago and am working through the teething problems.
Today I got one trailer brake to lock up, so am pleased I'm getting somewhere. And yes folks, I will adjust the controller so I don't leave rubber all over the road.
I mounted 10" Al-ko electric trailer brakes with Landcruiser hubs onto my trailer as an upgrade. To control them, I installed a Techonsie brake controller a few months back.
I bought my brakes as a set from a reputable trailer parts place in
Perth. He said to place a washer in between the backing plate and the mounting plate, do it all up tight onto the backing plate, then dry mount the hubs and tighten up the bearing nut.
I did this and then tacked the backing plate, dismantled it all and welded it on firmly.
On final assembly, I have what I would think is too large a gap in between the brake drum and the backing plate. There is enough room in there for small rocks and stuff to get caught I imagine.
One option I have considered is siliconing a strip of 25mm wide rubber strapping around the backing plate to create a loose seal.
The other option is to pull it all apart again and pack out the backing plate further away from the mounting plate.
But there are other considerations too.
Once I pull the brake drums off, I will be checking where the pads have been rubbing.
Second, I will also
check on the placement of the magnet on it's mounting shaft.
I have off road magnets that are hideously more expensive than standard, so want to make sure they are mounted correctly.
Third, is that I have read that all adjustments should be done after 100km of city driving. I can vouch for this as my brakes are improving each time I use them.
From my experience, don't expect them to be fantastic immediately. Not sure why this would be the case, but it seems to be.
Wiring.
Each magnet only draws 3A (times 2 = 6A), but given the distances involved voltage drop is an important consideration - as it any dickyness in the trailer plug connection.
Make sure the earth wire is the same beefy size as the power wire. Not only on the trailer, but on the vehicle side as
well.
It was easy enough to run a length of heavy cable back to the trailer plug, but so far I have left the earth wire as standard - quite thin. It is likely to be below par and another job is to replace it with heavier cable too.
I have figured that when voltage is applied to the magnet, it has a degree of magnetism dependent on that voltage. The magnet slides along it's mounting bracket and grips onto the inside of the brake hub on the vertical plane. This is a wearing point, hence worthwhile checking that backing plate to mounting plate distance.
As the magnet grips the rotating brake drum, it tries to rotate with the drums and pulls a lever. This lever actuates a cam, which pushes the brake shoes onto the brake drum.
If feasible, it would be a good idea to remove the axle completely and do all of this mounting away from the vehicle. Welding that backing plate on is not that easy, and needs a lot of paint to cover the results in my case. I suspect it is not under all that much strain really, but it's always nice to have a neat strong long weld.
I hope this is a bit useful, if nothing more than reassuring you that yes, getting the minimal distance between the drum and backing plate is probably a good idea - or so it seems!
Tim
Oh, and then there is the pad adjustment. That's another job......
AnswerID:
495445
Follow Up By: Member - Joe n Mel n kids (FNQ - Sunday, Sep 23, 2012 at 10:56
Sunday, Sep 23, 2012 at 10:56
thanks heaps for the reply Tim,
I was thinking that using washers was the way to go so that is todays job, your thinking is exactly as what i though as to how it works and yes there seems to be to big a gap but i am wondering if it may also be required for air-flow to cool the magnet as it involves friction, i dont like the fact that small rocks could get in as
well, i also will think about that one ....
I have taken the axels right out for that reson, getting to old to crawl around under stuuf welding, done that in my younger days enough......
Again MANY thanks for that answer, it is exactly what i was looking for, and to all that read this, this is what this site is all about, some WONDERFUL people on here, MOST just sit back quitely and help when needed, yep a few pop up complaining about pathetic thing like "sub-woofers" ect but like liddle mushrooms, they dont last long and the good people are still here .....
So without question i will renew my
membership again as per the e-mail today and enjoy another 12 months of really good advice, assistance, "Doug" and al the other good features of the site, what at around $30 bucks????... i pay more than $70 bucks for a carton of 4xxxx GOLD cans .......and they will be lucky to last a week in this heat .............. and maybe David will stop adding all the "things" i will never use and it will speed up again hahahhaha (just kidding) ...
Cheers and many thanks Tim (i also want a 12HT, 1HZ gunna struggle with a van on))
FollowupID:
771086
Follow Up By: Tim HJ61 (WA) - Sunday, Sep 23, 2012 at 11:52
Sunday, Sep 23, 2012 at 11:52
I'll be heading back to trailer parts and asking them about
the gap, and also about my idea of siliconing a strip of 25mm rubber around the backing plate.
Pleased my ramblings were useful.
Tim
FollowupID:
771095