Comparing Hydrastar and Dexter Electric Over Hydraulic Actuators for Trailer  

2 part question. Im considering upgrading the brakes on our travel trailer to Electric over Hydraulic EoH. EoH is generally overkill for my trailer Freedom Express 246RKS, but the extra stopping power vs the stock brakes is of a concern as Im towing with a 1/2 ton truck and we do cross the Smoky Mountains on both the interstate and smaller highways fairly frequently long 4 and 6 grades are common. I had always heard the EoH conversion required a controller with special setting pre-programmed which means generally the newer controllers are required. I have an older Prodigy model 90185 P1? which I have been using for a number of years with no issues on electric brakes. Im looking at the Hydrastar 1600psi and the Dexter DX 1600psi actuators to be paired with Kodiak discs. I see in the info for the Hydrastar brake actuator, it is listed as being compatible with the original Prodigy model 90185 controller. I did not see a compatibility list for the Dexter actuator. I do not see any info on the setting of the 90185 controller for EoH in the Prodigy manual, and did not see any info on setting at the Hydrastar website either. Questions: 1 Will the Prodigy 90185 work with either or both of these actuators? And is there anything special I need to do in the settings of the controller to use a 90185? 2 If either actuator will work with the 90185, is there any advantage to one brand/model over the other. Or is this a Ford/Chevy sort of thing? I know the Dexter is self priming, but other than that and the obvious size difference is one unit more durable than the other, more or less maintenance, etc... If the Dexter will not work with the Prodigy 90185, that would sway me towards the Hydrastar if it will work with my existing controller as the info indicates. If I dont have to buy a new controller that helps as Im already spending a considerable amount on the EoH upgrade otherwise, and there is nothing wrong with my 90185 controller. Or is there some greater advantage to a Prodigy P3 with this setup? Thanks

asked by: David W