Elec Trill Brakes question - Newbie

[BCPaul]

Hi

Just rolled out of Calgary with our shinny new Trillium! Already I regret not getting a stack of Joe's business cards. At every stop people come over asking about the trailer!

Anyway, we got the electric brake package, and being a complete newbie, I am just surprised about the humming and grinding sounds the brakes make at very slow speeds, just before coming to a stop. Once completely stopped (no movement) the sounds stop altogether.

Otherwise the brakes seem to work fine. Probably just newbie jitters so maybe someone out there can put my mind to rest.

Is this normal for electric brakes?

Thank you.

[cpaharley2008]

Is you controller set properly? New brakes will make some noise until they break in. But your controller should be set to a certain voltage to operate the brakes simultaneously with the tow vehicle. I had to play with mine several times before I was content.

[BCPaul]

I'm fairly certain the installation of the controller was done correctly - done by an experienced shop. The controller came from Trillium Trailer direct. Everything is new.

I have it set to 30%. I believe it is a "ramping" controller.

Does that info help?

[cpaharley2008]

I did not question the install, but it is the setting that is adjustable. Did the Trillium factory tell you to set it at 30%?
I have never had mine higher than 20%. Is there a direction manual that came with the controller? Lighter trailers do not need as much as heavier trailers.

[Perry J]

Originally Posted by BCPaul

Hi

Is this normal for electric brakes?

Thank you.

I don't know if you're familiar with electric brakes.
There's a magnet that's attracted to the face of the brake drum when power is supplied which expands the brake shoes. The magnet is going to scrape on the face of the drum until the trailer stops.
The noise should go away with a little more use. If it doesn't get the brakes checked.
John

[BCPaul]

No one set it up. It defaulted to 60% and I test drove it. Took it down to 20, upped it to 40, and eventually settled on 30.

I guess what you are saying is that the noises (humming and grinding) should be expected at low speeds (coming to stop) if the setting is too high? Basically it is working too hard. Correct? I will try 20%.

[BCPaul]

Naw. I wouldn't know an electric brake if one hit me in the head - and hopefully that'll never happen!

Ok, turning it down to 20% for the next leg of our journey (flat prairies) and we'll see how she goes.

Thank you for the tips.

[Donna D.]

What kind of brake controller? There are user manuals on the manufacturers website. I know the Prodigy has information on HOW to set the controler for the particular weight of the trailer and tug combo. It's done while driving at a specific speed and then stopping. It's not based on whether you're driving in the mountains or flats.

[BCPaul]

Hmm. Thought I replied. Anyway, it is a Husky Escort controller, ramping type.

[BCPaul]

Seems that some advice I'm getting offline is that ramp controllers are not the greatest and that a proportional controller is a good investment. I think I will do this when I return from vacation. Right now I'm a looooog way from home.