I am having a problem with my brake contoller. It is an older model, Kelsey Energizer. It has been discontinued. I've been told the older brake controllers are "electric over hydraulic" types, and were discontinued for a good reason. My husband says this brake controller is NOT hydraulic. I've searched the web to find out, but cannot find info on my controller due to it being so old. Does anyone know any information about these older Kelsey Energizer brake controls?

 

Have you been to their web site?
http://aftermarket.hayes-lemmerz.com...ntrollers.html

This link lists some of their discontinued models, not sure if yours is one of them.
http://aftermarket.hayes-lemmerz.com...h_support.html

 

Whats wrong with it?

 

When pulling my horse trailer, I have it on as low as possible (basically, should be driving with no brakes). It still grabs and jerks. Mainly when driving slow, like when I'm coming down our drive or near the school where I have to maintain a slow speed. When pulling our larger trailers, with heavier loads, I keep it on high, and it pulls that fine without the grabbing. I went to the web pages listed above, and found no information on my brake controller. Got in my truck and was looking for a model number and did find that it had a pendilum adjustment. From the drivers seat, it isn't easy to see. I'd looked when pulling and had decided it didn't have another adjustment. It used to pull okay. I think someone (husband) must have used my truck and messed with that lever and changed the setting. So I'm going to take it out on the road and see if I can readjust it correctly. If that doesn't fix it, I'm getting a new controller. My horses are beginning to dislike traveling.

 

I forgot one thing, the brakes squeek like crazy when I put on the brakes.

 

If it only "grabs" on the one trailer, have you condsidered that the brakes on the trailer could be worn out? Just a thought.

Matt

 

Yes I have wondered that. Been on a horse forum I go to often. A lady has a husband in the business. He advised me to try this first. Also for the squeeking, he felt I may have to replace or repair the trailer brakes. But he didn't feel it was the trailer brakes only.

 

Well, if it works on one trailer and not on another, I would susect the trailer brakes. If you want to get a new controller, you can have a new prodigy in 2 days from the site below. It's easy to install and I don't recall a post from anyone who didn't like it.

http://www.brakecontroller.com/

 

Thanks

 

Just a thought, but do you not think it could be the heavier load making the stopping/slow driving go smoother. These are much bigger trailers, much heavier loads. Loads like concrete waste we're using on our driveway. I can see if the brakes were not working at all, these loads being much harder. They'd push me all over the road, bounce me around. But since the brakes seem to be working TOO STRONG, its making the heavy loads easier. I haven't pulled a large load in a while. Mainly the horse trailer in the past few months. I don't remember if it pulled the other trailers fine when empty. I'll just have to test it out again. I've been complaining about this for at least a year. I haven't been pulling anything much lately. But getting ready for horseshows, and want this fixed first. I've got to get some time and hook up, test it out, and figure out where to go next. I've gotten a lot of good information from this forum and another. At least I know where to start now.

 

I've been complaining about this for at least a year. I haven't been pulling anything much latel

have you had your bearings packed on your trailer, you know you should do it every year, and if you bring it to someone who knows what they are doing they will look at your brake shoes, drums, magnets and bearings. from what you describe i would say that it is your brakes on the trailer.

if your brake controller is similar to what i am thinking of imho they are the best brake controller on the market

does it have a **** that moves proportionally to how much you push the brake pedal? these controllers in my experience are vastly superior to most modern controllers because the harder you push the brake pedal the more trailer brake you have.

some people will say they are bad or you should not use them for 2 reasons(may be more but i have not heard them) 1.) they have there own bore which takes up fluid theoretically reducing braking power, i personally have never experinced this although i suppose it could happen with a marginal braking system 2.) you cannot use them on antilock brake systems, as the pulsation sent to brakes in the event of tire lockup will also cause pulsation in your trailer brake circuit(very bad) but not an issue if you have at least one brake curcit without antilock.

these are my favorite type of controller and they are not electric over hydraulic, they simply run off your brake system.

either way, i bet your trailer brakes need help, get them check out.

nickolas

 

Mine have a lever on the left, that you can increase or decrease the amount of brake you get (I had looked for it, but never could find it while driving, had to get under the dash to see it). Then they have a **** on the right side (the **** I've always used). Then there is a sliding lever on the front you can use if you need brakes fast I guess. I never mess with it either. The only thing that comes on when applying the brakes is a red light on the front. The bearings have been packed. The drum has never been taken apart and looked at. I bought the trailer used, but the owner had suddenly passed away and it was very new. I've owned it about 6yrs. I haven't done a ton of hauling with it. Just trips to the breeders, vet, and a few shows.