Electric over Hydraulic conversion

[Hogdrv]

It’s been a couple weeks since I finished this but thought I would give a little overview in case someone else was trying it. I got my brake kit and brake lines from Etrailer and got my brake actuator from dexterpartsonline.com, small place back east, cheaper and available. The install went pretty much like I thought it would, the hard parts were figuring where to run the lines and getting my hand into the pin box for the electrical, not fun. All the parts were included however I did not like how short the bolts that hold the caliper mounting plates were, so I had to buy some longer ones. I put the actuator next to the batteries, one I don’t plan on getting anymore and I wanted to be able to see inside for the fluid level. I then ran the lines behind the generator and out the side by the propane tank. Iran the lines along the frame and then under to the front axle. I had planned to run to the back axle first but couldn’t find a good place to transition to under the frame, so I do have some line coiled up in the front compartment. I went with flex line because me and hard lines do not get along. Did not go into the under belly because I just didn’t want to brake that seal and the 4 way and 3way connections would have been hidden, not good for leaks, which I had at first. The line between the axle was shorter than I thought it should be, so to mount it I had to improvise. I had a piece of aluminum that I mounted on the side then mounted a line clamp to that, worked out great I think.
The electrical was not fun, mainly because of the space. I fished 10awg wire from pin box to the front compartment, not really hard, I had already fished wires thru there when I did the dc to dc charger, also since I felt the fiberglass was lower behind the pin box I hung some heavy rubber with Velcro to keep water from blowing in. When I was bleeding the brakes I had my wife pull the breakaway switch and she keep the fluid topped off. I haven’t pulled the trailer yet but I did hook up the truck and no bad messages in the truck yet. Here are some pictures of the install.

[howson]

Hogdrv -- being able to see the fluid level is something I didn't give enough thought to when I had the Hydrastar installed. That reservoir is small.

Thanks for the post.

[Jimmer]

Nice job! Disk Braked should be great. I'm looking forward to getting mine in April, with MORryde doing the install.

[Hogdrv]

howson since you have the hydrastar I have a couple questions, first is it normal for the pitch of the actuator to change when the pressure builds and the sound never goes away while the brakes are pressed? And second while sitting in traffic, like traffic lights, stop and go, have you noticed any over heat problems with the actuator?

Thanks
Jim

[Cate&Rob]

Hogdrv

Hi Jim . . . not meaning to answer for Howard, I have EoH brakes with a Brake Rite actuator which functions in the same manner.

It is normal for the sound to change when the actuator reaches max set pressure. (I am told that this is a pressure valve opening in the actuator to prevent over-pressure.) The actuator continues to run until the brakes are released.

The truck will not activate the trailer brakes (with the brake pedal) at stop-and-go speeds, to prevent unnecessary use or overheating as you suspect. You can activate the trailer brakes with the hand control when stopped or crawling (a good time to check their function).

Rob

[Hogdrv]

Thanks Rob good info

Jim

[DarnDave]

Hogdrv Wow that is quite the undertaking. I think you will find it worth the effort. I love our trailer's disc brake system. A couple of weeks ago, I was in moderately heavy traffic in the center of three lanes, towing the trailer at 62 mph, and passing a line of semi's in the slow lane doing about 45 mph. All of a sudden one of the trucks pulled directly in front of me ( I guess she didn't see me? headlights and markers all on a giant fifth wheel?) Scared the truck driver next to me that he laid on his air horn. That is the hardest brake application I have made in about 10K miles of towing this thing, and I actually thought I was going to collide with the truck.

Nope. Brakes slowed that combo down right now. When the left lane cleared I went around that truck. Driver seemed to be making apologetic motions as I went by (at least I think thats what they were).

I had to get used to the system at first as there is a different "feel" to the disc vs drum brakes at first. I run my controller at level 6.5

[Hogdrv]

DarnDave That sounds scary, for sure. Last summer I had to make a panic stop, not as bad as yours, but when I got home ( 3 miles later) I found one of the brake adjustment springs and screw had broken and were inside the drum, I wrote a post here titled screeching brakes. Since then I have been looking for something better and read where other people were able to change over to disc brakes, so I thought why not. Looking forward to testing them out, I believe next week I’ll have the time. Good to know where to start the brake controller,that’s where I’ll start 6.5.

Thanks
Jim

[Cate&Rob]

Hogdrv DarnDave

It was a similar situation, being cut off by someone who then jumped on their brakes that convinced me that there had to be a better way to stop this rig than 1950's electric drum brakes . . . thus the EoH brakes. The best $2K that I ever spent on safety. On the occasions that I had to come on to the brakes aggressively, I began to see cars coming around from behind. I realized that my OE brake lights were nearly invisible in bright sunlight. This led to the addition of much larger LED brake lights to give as much notice as possible to those behind me that I am braking faster than you expect !

I wondered if the 5th wheel would push the new F350 around as much as it did the old F150, (without the trailer brakes). The answer is yes! On our recent travels, I lost the trailer brakes for a while (cord problem between trailer and truck) and had one heavy braking incident from about 60 MPH. The F350 was sliding, being pushed by the Reflection with no brakes. Under normal conditions (even heavy braking) I can feel the trailer EoH brakes pulling back on the truck. Not really much different than it was with the lighter truck. I am running with "Medium Apply" setting and 6.5 Gain.

Rob

[Hogdrv]

Rob

I’m with you on the brake lights I added 20.5” led lights already and have on back order ( next week hopefully) another set to put even higher. Your comment about the best $2k spent it was sent me over the edge 👍

Jim