Pendulum Style Brake Controller Shows Low Voltage with Brake Pedal and 12 Volts with Manual Override  

Question:

Helpful Expert Reply:

I'm guessing you have the Kelsey Energize III brake controller, which uses an internal pendulum for proportional braking. If this is the case, then the brake pedal will only show between 1-2 volts with the brake pedal if you are testing it while the vehicle is sitting still. The pendulum inside the brake controller controls the voltage output of the brake controller (with the brake pedal) based on how hard it senses the tow vehicle braking. This means that you will only see more voltage if you are testing the brake output wire while you are actually braking in a real driving situation. I don't recommend doing this because it can be dangerous.

If this is a new installation, then the best way to test that the brake pedal and pendulum are working is to take the trailer to an empty lot or street, set the gain or power dial as high as possible and start accelerating and braking with the trailer. If the gain/power dial is all the way up, then you should feel the trailer pulling your tow vehicle assuming the brakes on the trailer are in good condition and properly adjusted. Then you can adjust the gain/power dial until you feel smooth braking between the trailer and tow vehicle.

If the brake controller worked previously and you are having braking issues, your best option is to make sure the brakes on your trailer are in good condition and working properly. I usually hook it to another truck or physically inspect the brakes myself to make sure the trailer isn't the issue. If the trailer isn't the problem, make sure the gain/power dial isn't set too low. If everything else checks out, it sounds like the brake controller may have to be replaced. Since these controllers are internally serviceable, it would have to be replaced.

I've attached a link to our entire brake controller selection for you to check out if you think you will have to go this route. If you want a recommendation, I would look at the Redarc Tow-Pro Elite, # RED44FR, because it leaves a much smaller footprint than the typical box style controllers like the Kelsey Energize and it gives more of an OEM look.

expert reply by: John H

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