For years, Ritchie Auto Electrics has been providing auto electric repairs in QLD.
An electric brake controller is what the safety demands when it comes to auto electrical repairs, bridging the vehicle’s brakes to the brakes of a trailer. This is vital because your regular vehicle brakes are designed not to put a break on the load inside the trailer but eventually make the vehicle stop altogether.
Without a brake controller, if you slammed on the brakes while towing, it could keep pushing forward and potentially cause your vehicle to lose control. Australian road rules and auto electricians recognise this danger and require towing brakes on at least one axle or all wheels, depending on the load inside the trailer.
An electric brake controller works through a connection between your vehicle and the trailer's brakes. When you hit the brakes in your car, the controller sends a signal through this connection to electromagnets in the trailer's brakes, activating them.
There are two main types of controllers determining the engagement of a trailer's brakes - A time-activated controller with a braking force for 2-3 seconds and a proportional controller with a trailer brake force in proportion to how hard you are decelerating based on your brake pedal pressure. When both are compared, a proportional type empowers hilly or slippery conditions by moderating brake force.
In simplest possible terms, the brake controller extends your car's brakes to the trailer, allowing sync between the two when towing a heavy load for safe slowing and stopping. However, proper installation by a car electrical repairs expert is crucial for this vital safety system to work correctly.
It is crucial to have a reliable electric brake controller when towing a trailer, caravan, or boat, so install only brand-based controllers with an active calibration feature that continuously monitors your direction of travel. If unsure about which electric brake controller would best fit your vehicle and the trailer, caravan, or boat you'll be towing, consult experts to guide you through the process and recommend the ideal solution for your specific needs.
As summer approaches and road trips beckon, learning how electric brakes work and what makes an electric brake controller so critical for a family's safety on the road can be instrumental. Installing an electric braking system on a trailer or caravan can seem daunting only if the operation is unclear, as even a minor installation mistake can lead to disastrous consequences.
Electric brakes act as a connection between a vehicle and the trailer. When you apply the brakes in your car, a signal is passed on to the towed vehicle from the car, activating its brakes via electromagnets.
The brakes' operation and engagement are all functioned by a brake controller box. When talking about controller boxes, they are primarily of two types:
maximum brake pressure applied over a set time, lasting between 2-3 seconds.
trailer pressure proportional to the vehicle's deceleration.
Whether the weather is wet or windy or you are driving in hilly terrain, expect superior handling from proportional systems. Driver's lead makes them follow by using the vehicle's deceleration to determine the appropriate braking pressure, slowing down both trailer and vehicle safely.
Your car's brakes are designed to bring your vehicle to a stop. Still, they aren't typically built for towing a trailer or caravan, as extra weight and momentum can cause the load to push your vehicle in an unintended direction. When you apply the brakes, there must be a system in place to engage the brakes on the towed vehicle as well, and this is where an electric brake controller comes into play, and its practical purpose becomes evident.
Any trailer with a gross mass over 750 kg demands a braking system on at least one axle, while over 2 tonnes are required on all wheels. To comply with these regulations, a brake controller should be installed by a trusted auto electrician who passes on the communication to and from between a vehicle and the trailer.
We understand the importance of electric brake controllers, so we have worked with highly reliable controllers. The electric brake controllers we are talking about feature active calibration, allowing continuous monitoring of the direction of travel through a system.
Which electric brake controller would work best for towing needs? Do not hesitate to consult our car electrical repairs experts by calling Ritchie Auto Electrics on (07) 3208 7133 or email us at mark@ritchieautoelectrics.com.au.