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Is any body got 2008 integrated brake controller to work with electro/hydraulic actuator for disc brakes found at 5th wheels? The user manual states that the controller will not work?!
Well a lot of all-electric guys swear by the IBC as being great, but yes, it doesn't work on hydraulic. Seems like I read the recommended solution is to get a hydraulic controller, and interface the IBC to it. Yeah, dumb, I know.....
I have a 2008 F-450 and the IBC does not work with the Dexter EOH brakes on my fifth wheel. I have read that some (the IBC) work and some don't. Another person in this forum suggested wiring an electric brake magnet in-line with the hydraulic actuator and that this worked. He maintains the IBC is looking for a magnet, and not the actuator. I have yet to try it but think it is an inexpensive fix rather than disabling the IBC and wiring an aftermarket brake controller.
The user manual states that the controller will not work?!
No, they haven't tested it so they don't clam it does work, there is a difference. Mine, an '08 Job 1 F450, works GREAT with my Dexter actuator on my 2008 trailer.
I would recommend contacting the manufacturer of the braking system on your trailer to see if there is an update/workaround available. A lot of the manufacturers are trying to get their systems to work with the IBC since it is so popular.
Like Stalwart said they never claimed it won't work at all. This is exactly what the Owner's Guide says:
The Ford TBC has only been verified to be compatible with
trailers having electric-actuated drum brakes (one to four axles)
and not hydraulic surge or electric-over-hydraulic types. It is the
responsibility of the customer to ensure that the trailer brakes are
adjusted appropriately, functioning normally and all electric
connections are properly made.
It has only been verified to work with electric drum brakes. It has not been verified to work with hydraulic surge or electric over hydraulic type brakes. Nowhere in that paragraph does it say that it absolutly won't work.
You would think that Ford (and GM) would make their IBC compatible with EOH brake systems. After all, they've only been available for what, four or five years now on the bigger fifth wheels?
The problem there is so many different companies make EOH braking systems, and they all seem to do it a little different, wheras the electric braking system is all pretty much standard (you just modify the gain a little bit). Ford doesn't have the time/money/resources to test the braking system with every single EOH braking system out there, so they just say it isn't verified to work. They leave it up to the owner to try to figure out if it works or not.
You would think there would be some kind of industry standard for electronic over hydraulic brake controllers so that the tow vehicle manufactures could build an IBC that would work!