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Proportional and Time Delayed Brake
Controller Comparison
Proportional Brake Controller
With proportional brake controllers, once
the brake pedal is stepped on, a motion
sensing device knows how fast the tow
vehicle is stopping. It then applies power
to the trailer brakes equally as fast (or
slow) as the towing vehicle. This allows the
trailer to stop at the same rate as the tow
vehicle. Therefore, in an extreme stopping
situation where the vehicle brakes are
slammed on, a proportional controller will
immediately send the maximum preset power to
the trailer brakes.
This type of brake controller provides the
smoothest and quickest braking while also
providing the least amount of wear on both
the vehicle and trailer's brakes.
Proportional controllers are "enabled" by
the brake pedal switch and "activated" by a
pendulum circuit that senses the vehicle's
stopping motion and applies a proportional
voltage to the trailer's brakes. When
properly adjusted the trailer will
decelerate at the same rate as the tow
vehicle, increasing braking efficiency and
reducing brake wear.
Time Delayed Brake Controller
With Time Delayed trailer brake controllers,
once the brake pedal is stepped on, the
pre-determined amount of power (which is set
by the user, based on trailer weight) is
sent back to the trailer brakes. On time
delayed controllers, a delay always exists
from when the brake pedal is pushed to when
the unit reaches the user set, maximum power
output. The delay can be shortened or
lengthened with the 'sync' switch, available
on most time delayed controllers, but it
behaves the same way for every stop (slow or
fast). If the sync switch is set too low,
the vehicle will do most of the initial
braking, putting extra strain on the
vehicle's brakes. If the sync switch is set
too high, the trailer will be braking
harder. So in most cases, either the truck
or the trailer will be doing the majority of
the braking, resulting in uneven brake wear.
The time delayed brake controller system is
easily installed and is very user friendly.
It can be mounted at any angle. It also has
a low profile. The amount of power that is
sent back to the brakes is adjustable using
a control on the brake controller. With most
time delayed brake controllers, when towing
with the hazard flashers on, the digital
display will flash with the hazard flashers.
If the brake controller is set to
aggressively, pulsing may occur which will
be felt in the trailer brakes. However, a
pulse preventer can isolate the brake
controller from the flashers and will
eliminate the pulsing and flashing on the
controller. A pulse preventer is not
necessary for vehicles that have a different
bulb for the stop and turn signals, which is
typical of vehicles with amber turn signals.
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Similarities:
•Allow the user to adjust the maximum
braking power to match the weight of the
trailer being pulled
•Have a manual override trigger that can be
used to apply only the trailer brakes
•Have the same wiring configuration for
installation
Differences:
•Cost: Time Delayed will typically be less
expensive, although recent advances in
Proportional Brake Controllers have made the
cost difference much narrower.
•Braking Performance: Time Delayed always
sends the same braking power to the trailer,
Proportional will vary the braking power
based on how quickly the tow vehicle is
stopping producing a smoother braking
action.
•Wear and Tear: Time Delayed will cause more
wear on either the trailer or vehicle brakes
because one or the other will be doing the
majority of the braking. Proportional
reduces wear by spreading the braking power
evenly.
•Mounting: Time Delayed may be mounted in
any position and at any angle. Proportional
will typically need to be mounted within a
certain range, such as within 70 degrees of
level, to work properly.
•Calibration: Time Delayed will typically
not require calibration. Some models of
Proportional brake controllers need to be
calibrated to work properly, but most of the
newer models are self calibrating or have a
very simple calibration, so they are nearly
as easy to set up as time delayed.
•Size: Time Delayed have traditionally been
smaller and slimmer than Proportional, but
newer models of proportional controllers
come in shapes and sizes very similar to
Time Delayed.
•Use: Time Delayed are best for the casual
user. Proportional should be considered if
the trailer will be towed often because they
operate well in diverse towing conditions
and produce less wear on the braking
systems.
•Safety: Proportional brake controllers
provide an additional level of safety
because they will automatically ramp up to
full power if the tow vehicle makes an
emergency stop.
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