Ford Brake Controller II
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Ford Brake Controller II
08 F450 -- Just replaced and rewired the brakes on my fiver. Am able to energize brakes with breakaway switch and lever on the brake controller. However unable to energize trailer brakes by using truck's brake pedal when truck/trailer not moving. I know in the early versions of the brake controller you had to be moving about 10mph to energize the brakes with the controller. It appears they have modified the controller to be able to apply the trailer brakes with the slider but applying the truck's brakes while stopped does not energize the trailer brakes. Has anybody else experienced this?
On edit will take rig for a test drive tomorrow.
On edit will take rig for a test drive tomorrow.
Last edited by marspec; Jun 29, 2010 at 09:02 PM. Reason: Add info
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Stillwater, OK
my brakes energize no matter what the speed...
keep in mind how electric drum trailer brakes work:
The magnet drags on the friction face to apply the shoes to the drum... if you are moving slowly there isn't much movement to drag the magnets while energized... That's where elec/hyd brakes come in to play.
keep in mind how electric drum trailer brakes work:
The magnet drags on the friction face to apply the shoes to the drum... if you are moving slowly there isn't much movement to drag the magnets while energized... That's where elec/hyd brakes come in to play.
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I guess I didn't make myself clear.
With the wheels jacked up the wheels cannot be spun by hand when the breakaway switch is pulled or the controller slider is used but the brake pedal does not have any affect. So I'm wondering if there's a truck speed requirement to energize the trailer brakes by the brake pedal or if I have a problem with the brake pressure sensor and if there's a way to check that.
With the wheels jacked up the wheels cannot be spun by hand when the breakaway switch is pulled or the controller slider is used but the brake pedal does not have any affect. So I'm wondering if there's a truck speed requirement to energize the trailer brakes by the brake pedal or if I have a problem with the brake pressure sensor and if there's a way to check that.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Stillwater, OK
Keep in mind that when you pull the breakaway, the magnets get a full 12v emergency voltage (full current).
When you squeeze the slider the controller puts out a voltage that is proportional to the percentage you squeeze it (12v * % = vout)
When you press the pedal, the factory controller uses a variety of things to determine how much braking the trailer needs to feel right with the truck. Vehicle speed is one of these. I imagine that with a vehicle speed of 0, there is a 0 multiplier in there somewhere which results in no output. I'd be interested to see what happens if you jack the rear of the truck up off the ground and try your brake test again with the speedometer reading 5-10mph when you apply the brakes.
When you squeeze the slider the controller puts out a voltage that is proportional to the percentage you squeeze it (12v * % = vout)
When you press the pedal, the factory controller uses a variety of things to determine how much braking the trailer needs to feel right with the truck. Vehicle speed is one of these. I imagine that with a vehicle speed of 0, there is a 0 multiplier in there somewhere which results in no output. I'd be interested to see what happens if you jack the rear of the truck up off the ground and try your brake test again with the speedometer reading 5-10mph when you apply the brakes.
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Martinsburg, WV
The ford controller also uses intertia sensors, like aftermarket controllers. No motion, no braking. The most you may get is a light holding load after a certain time with the brakes applied, like sitting at a stoplight.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Stillwater, OK
To my knowledge, the ford controller does not use an inertia. It uses the vehicle speed sensor, applied braking pressure, transmission, and ABS to send a calculated signal to the trailer brakes.
