Self-Leveling and Refresh Rate of the Tekonsha P-3 Trailer Brake Controller - Proportional, # 90195

Updated 09/24/2010 | Published 09/23/2010

Question:

My Hayes Endeavour pendulum brake controller has died and I am considering replacing it with a P3. As I sometimes descend a 7000ft mountain in about 2 hours, I wish to know whether the self-leveling feature will progressively reduce the braking effect during the descent. Over what period does the algorithm function?

asked by: David H

Expert Reply:

I spoke with my contact at Tekonsha regarding the PS Brake Controller, # 90195. He stated that while descending or ascending an incline the self-leveling on the brake controller will calculate at what percent incline the vehicle is at, and apply a proportional amount of trailer braking based on the angle and how much braking the towing vehicle is doing.

The brake controller will check and readjust itself as needed for optimum trailer braking performance at a rate of 400 times a second. I have included a link to the installation details below. Since you have already had a brake controller, the wiring on the vehicle can be used for the new brake controller. The P3 comes with a wiring harness. One end plugs into the back of the brake controller. The other end has blunt cut wires that you can connect to the existing wiring on the vehicle using the included butt connectors.

The wiring between the brake controller and the vehicle might match up color for color but in case it does not, the harness that comes with the P3 has the following functions.

Red wire = stop light signal
Blue wire = brake controller power output
White = ground
Black = 12 volt power for brake controller

I have also included a link to a brake controller FAQ below.