Brake Controllers

[bindian]

My brake controller might be ready for replacement. Intermittently, with no trailer connected, I get "NC" lite up. It should be no lights. The brakes, when connected work fine. What controllers do Y'all prefer? Which controller is the industry leader?
hugs, Brandi

 

[oliver1555]

Check Craigslist, fleabay, etc., to see if you can find a used MaxBrake or BrakeSmart. They are the best.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Check Craigslist, fleabay, etc., to see if you can find a used MaxBrake or BrakeSmart. They are the best.

I agree 100% they sence brake line pressure of the tow vehicle. It's the only way to go. Works just like the Factory Controller Ford introduced in 2005.

Short of that the best bang for the buck in a simple controller is the Prodigy P3.

Chris

 

[Billrog]

I think the NC should come on when no trailer is connected just like it will if the trailer is connected and you loose the connection. NC No Connection ? Mine has done that since new when I first start the truck with no trailer connection.

 

[PILOON]

With trailers the majority of problems are grounds, be it with lights or controllers.
Intermittent might indicate that you are grounding mainly via the hitch rather that the plug.

 

[oldballs]

To assure that the trailer to truck connector stays put, I tie some bailing twine that makes sure they stay in place.

 

[gwiley]

NC means that the electrical connection to the trailer is compromised (assuming you plugged it in). I found that the receptacle and pigtail (7-way connector) had to be replaced to get rid of the intermittent NC warnings. Unless they seat firmly and make good contact there is nothing the brake controller can do to help.

 

[bindian]

Check Craigslist, fleabay, etc., to see if you can find a used MaxBrake or BrakeSmart. They are the best.

Why do you recommend a used one?
hugs, Brandi

 

[Soundguy]

My brake controller might be ready for replacement. Intermittently, with no trailer connected, I get "NC" lite up. It should be no lights. The brakes, when connected work fine. What controllers do Y'all prefer? Which controller is the industry leader?
hugs, Brandi

does it say not connected only when you step on the brakes? or does it just come on now and then. if it just comes on.. might even be a problem with your brake switch!

also.. clean the plug out to get rid of corrosion and moisture and put some dielectric grease in there.

 

[bindian]

With trailers the majority of problems are grounds, be it with lights or controllers.
Intermittent might indicate that you are grounding mainly via the hitch rather that the plug.

Brakes and lights work fine. It's the indicator lights on the controller that are intermittent.........with or without the trailer being hooked up.
hugs, Brandi

 

[bindian]

does it say not connected only when you step on the brakes? or does it just come on now and then. if it just comes on.. might even be a problem with your brake switch!

also.. clean the plug out to get rid of corrosion and moisture and put some dielectric grease in there.

Soundguy,
NC stays on until I hit the brakes, then the screen goes to two red dots. Sometimes I can wiggle the connector plug behind the controller and the NC goes away. Brake Switch was replaced a year or two ago because cruise control wouldn't turn off.
hugs, Brandi

 

[Soundguy]

clean the plug, might be corrosion that conducts ... the controller uses a current loop to detect the trailier via the electromagnets.

 

[aczlan]

Why do you recommend a used one?
hugs, Brandi

They are no longer made, so used the the only source.

Aaron Z

 

[bindian]

They are no longer made, so used the the only source.

Aaron Z

Well,
If they are so good, how come they are no longer made? What is the best, currently manufactured "new" brake controller then?
hugs, Brandi

 

[aczlan]

Well,
If they are so good, how come they are no longer made?

Liability for someone tieing it into their brake system?

What is the best, currently manufactured "new" brake controller then?
hugs, Brandi

A built in one. After that, probably the Tekonsha - P3 (a proportional controller): Tekonsha - P3

Aaron Z

 

[Deere Dude]

I just got a Tekonsha P-3 last summer after I was having brake problems. It works much better than 3 other types I had over the years. It displays voltage to the brakes, it doesn't need to be level front to back to work, it has settings for different trailer sizes with a push of a button and it gives the trailer a measured extra boost as soon as the brakes are touched. That part is great. My 5th wheel camper and GN trailer have never been as safe as hooked up to this controller.

 

[Eric102]

Yep, P3 works well.

 

[Soundguy]

deffinately a p3

 

[oliver1555]

Well,
If they are so good, how come they are no longer made? What is the best, currently manufactured "new" brake controller then?
hugs, Brandi

Price. They are expensive. If you have never used one of them, or aren't old enough to have used an old Kelsey Hayes, you just can't imagine how well and smoothly they work. No liability that I know of connecting to the master cylinder. That's how all of the older ones of quality worked. ABS braking changed things and the old style won't work with new braking systems. Buying new, I'd go with Diamondpilot's suggestion. Luckily, I have a MaxBrake.

 

[s219]

I also recommend the Tekonsha P3, but first, make sure this isn't a wiring problem. Because a new controller may have the exact same behavior if there is a wiring issue somewhere.

Can't say I ever heard of a controller failing. But we hear about trailer wiring and vehicle wiring issues all the time. Depending on how the old controller was wired in, that could be the issue, not the controller itself.