How Does Electric Trailer Brake Controller Apply Different Braking Pressure to Trailer Brakes

Question:

Hi Jameson, you were kind enough to answer a couple of questions for me a few years ago. Was just wondering how a proportional brake controller works. The way I see it is that once the magnet sticks to the drum and engages the brakes it is either all or nothing. I must be missing something?? Thanks

asked by: Eric

Expert Reply:

So the higher the voltage that makes it to the trailer brakes the harder the magnet grabs onto the brake drum which then applies the trailer brakes harder. So it's not like an on and off switch. If the brake controller sends 5 volts to the magnets the brakes will apply much lighter than full 12 volts. Deciding how much voltage should be sent to the trailer brakes at any given time is the job of the brake controller and one of it's main functions.

So a proportional brake controller uses an internal sensor to detect just how hard you are applying the vehicle brakes and then decide how much voltage needs to be sent to the trailer brakes so they apply as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

The Prodigy P3 part # 90195 is considered by many to be the gold standard of proportional brake controllers because of how advanced the sensor is, how flexible it's mounting position is, and how overall reliable it is. Another really awesome and convenient option is the Curt Echo Mobile part # C51180 which gives you the same performance but installs very easily. It just plugs into an active 7-way and once synced to a smart phone is ready to tow. I attached review videos

expert reply by: Jameson C