What If a Proportional Brake Controllers Sensor Fails?

Question:

What happens if the sensor in a proportional brake controller fails? Is there a back-up mechanism that would activate the trailer brakes when the vehicle brakes are activated, as a time-delayed brake controller would do? Thanks.

asked by: Barb

Helpful Expert Reply:

If a proportional brake controller, like my personal favorite the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 # 90195 were to have a sensor fail, there is a backup option with the manual override, but this is an extremely reliable brake controller that I haven't heard of failing sensors on. The integrated internal inertia sensor will normally help by sending a proportional amount of braking to your trailer. So unlike time-delayed controllers that send the same amount of preset power at the allocated time delay whether you hit the brakes gently or slam on the brakes for an emergency, the proportional controller will send the proportional amount of braking pressure at the same time you hit the pedal and with the same intensity.

If that sensor fails, it may be delayed like a time-delayed system or not work at all. The backup option for both a proportional or time delayed system is the manual override. This allows you to control the trailer brakes timing and braking pressure. I recommend using this function if your sensor fails until you can have it fixed or replaced.

expert reply by: Jason S