Community Forums

Shawn6596 · 05-03-2019, 07:08 PM

I tried to use the search option with no luck. All I could find was a lot of irrelevant content. I have a 97 overland osprey riding on a freight liner VC chassis with air brakes and a Jacobs exhaust brake. I am on the search for an electric trailer brake controller. My concerns is finding one that plays nice with the exhaust brake. When the Jake kicks on it turns on the brake lights. if the trailer brake controller is triggered by the brake lights then in theory wouldn't that also energize the trailer brakes. This could smoke a set of brakes on a long grade. any info on a unit that works well with air brakes, and an exhaust brake would be great. Thanks

saddlesore · 05-03-2019, 07:18 PM

Do a "Google" for air over electric brake controller

Shawn6596 · 05-04-2019, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saddlesore

Do a "Google" for air over electric brake controller

I have. I still haven't found a work around for the engine brake. even the air over electric controllers still have the brake light connection causing the unit to engage when the brake lights come on. https://www.etrailer.com/Brake-Contr...hoCIAMQAvD_BwE

Shawn6596 · 05-06-2019, 05:12 PM

bump

Gary RVRoamer · 05-06-2019, 06:22 PM

I don't know the details, but I've read that the way to avoid that is to use a diode such that only the brake light switch (it's on the air treadle valve) can activate the trailer controller. I think the exhaust or engine brake wire tees into the brake light wiring downstream from the treadle valve switch, s a diode after the brake control tie-in but before the exhaust brake tee should prevent backfeed into the brake controller.

If you have a good quality inertial controller, e.g. Prodigy P3, having the controller active on a long downhill shouldn't be a problem. It's the time-based controllers that brake excessively if engaged for more than 10-15 seconds. They keep increasing the braking as time goes on.