Glad I had too much truck
07-31-2012, 11:33 AM
#41
Registered
I have outstanding performance with my gain on the P3 only at 1.2 with the boost turned off!
and thats with 13,500 back there!
but I did go the 13" discs on all three axles (overkill)
no substitute for swept area!
and thats with 13,500 back there!
but I did go the 13" discs on all three axles (overkill)
no substitute for swept area!
07-31-2012, 11:37 AM
#42
Registered
When you lose your truck brakes, you also do not have any trailer brakes when running surge.
Surge brakes only work when the truck and trailer are going in a straight line. If you get any kind of angle between the truck and trailer, like avoiding something in front of you while panic braking, you will jackknife. Go out in a large parking lot and make a long sweeping turn and cram on the brakes and you will see what I mean. The back of your truck will slide all over.
If your truck is sliding, you are not putting any pressure on the surge brake actuator, so your trailer will rolling along perpetuating your slide.
Surge brakes only work when the truck and trailer are going in a straight line. If you get any kind of angle between the truck and trailer, like avoiding something in front of you while panic braking, you will jackknife. Go out in a large parking lot and make a long sweeping turn and cram on the brakes and you will see what I mean. The back of your truck will slide all over.
If your truck is sliding, you are not putting any pressure on the surge brake actuator, so your trailer will rolling along perpetuating your slide.
if you loose truck mechanical braking the trailer brakes will still activate...
and there's always the manual overide lever on the controller!
you speak of a delay? I have none. Smart is testing and setting the gain so the trailer brakes lead truck braking which eliminates any split second delay inherent to these systems and will contribute greatly to keeping the whole rig straight in a panic stop.
07-31-2012, 09:08 PM
#43
Registered
Here in GA, surge brakes are not legal on any commercial trailer. They work well if maintained and in optimum circumstances but many accident inspections found them not working. Electric and EOH are more reliable.
07-31-2012, 09:19 PM
#44
Charter Member
No experience with the P3, but I was under the impression the brake light switch feature was to start the EOH pump ASAP to keep the delay at a min, then the controller workings itself did the actual braking control?
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Some people are like Slinkies - Not really good for anything, but they
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Some people are like Slinkies - Not really good for anything, but they
bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.
08-01-2012, 06:49 AM
#45
Registered
we are on the same page. The system "powers up" with brake light activation yes...
I didn't break it down to that degree.
there is where setting the gain (controller brains as you say) to lead a little comes in to deal with any real (or imagined) delay in actual "feel" of the trailer "braking"
I didn't break it down to that degree.
there is where setting the gain (controller brains as you say) to lead a little comes in to deal with any real (or imagined) delay in actual "feel" of the trailer "braking"
