Re: [A/S] New brake controller

[Charlie/Betty Burke <cbburke@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Ed,

In this weight towing range you will hardly ever see surge brakes used. Beyond 
that the most common brake controllers referred to as time based, inertia sensing 
and direct connected.  The good old direct connected hydraulic was the standard for 
many years. It tapped into the vehicle hydraulic brake line and converted that to 
an electric current for the trailer brake magnets. The Jordan and Hensley's and 
maybe some other's are similar in that they are directly connected to some mechanical 
part of the brake system.

The next most common and popular controller is the inertia sensor based controller. 
These use Hall effect or other inertia sensing devices to detect braking of the tow 
vehicle and send a proportionate response to the trailer brakes. Output is based on 
angle (up or down hill changes the sensitivity) and the amount of change in tow 
vehicle speed. There are a number of different brands and features available in this 
type. There is a wide range of experience and preferences. Tekonsha and Hayes Lemmerz 
are the two most popular. Tekonsha's new Prodigy offers a different inertia sensing 
device coupled with a more "user friendly" interface. The Tekonsha brand however made 
one engineering choice that I as seller have a concern about. When activated manually 
(whether emergency or otherwise) the trailer brake lights do not light up. Thus the 
person behind does not know you have applied you brakes.

The third controller, popular more for it's cost being cheaper, than for it's usability 
is the time base controller. Darn near everybody and his uncle sells a version of this 
type. Different labels, different packages pretty much the same guts. It's basic premise
does not make any allowances for angle, speed, or urgency of need when you hit the brakes. 
They are popular with dealers that sell hitch packages because it lowers their costs.

Charlie