Electronic Brake Controllers like REDARC’s Tow-Pro are growing in popularity

Holidays on the road are more popular than ever, and as caravan and camper sales continue to climb, so do the amount of electric brake controller (EBC) installations.
REDARC says there are a few things that often catch out even the most experienced tradespeople when installing an EBC.

Brake signal pickup
The requirements for a suitable connection of an EBC trigger wire are quite specific.
It must provide battery voltage output while the vehicle brakes are applied / 0 volts output while the vehicle brakes are not applied.
It must also accept battery voltage when the brake controller manual override is operated and illuminate at least the trailer’s brake lights.

Unsecure/loose mounting
Good EBCs, like REDARC’s Tow-Pro range, can be mounted in any orientation.
It is important that the EBC is mounted securely as its internal components rely on a solid mount to determine how hard the vehicle’s brakes are applied, so it can vary its output accordingly.

Power supplied via relay
EBCs should be powered directly from the battery via a circuit breaker.
This is because you want to retain trailer brakes even if the ignition cuts out unexpectedly, also removing power clears the unit’s calibration which results in rough braking until recalibration.

Inadequate wiring or connectors
Under full braking force, a trailer can draw as much as 25 amps, and as a result poor wiring gauge and/or poor connecters can cause issues.
Cheaper components such as crimp terminals are often not up to the task of currents of this magnitude and can deteriorate over time.

Dashboard too thick
When choosing a suitable mounting location, it is important to consider the thickness of material the controller will be installed on, as well as what’s hidden underneath.
For REDARC’s Tow-Pro range the remote head must be installed in material between 1.25 – 3.75mm thick so that the override button can be depressed correctly.
REDARC says the word Tow-Pro has become synonymous with EBC and towing safety, with the company stating it continues to set the benchmark for easy-to-use, safe trailer and towing braking.
REDARC’s Tow-Pro Elite V3 features Everyday Mode (proportional braking) for most on-road towing conditions, and Manual Off-road Mode, as well as inbuilt SwayStop technology.

For more information on the Tow-Pro range, visit www.redarcelectronics.com/au/tow-pro