What Noise Does Dexter Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator Make When In Use

Published 10/31/2019

Question:

I have a Dexter E/H 1600 brake actuator on my 2019 Montana Fifth wheel. The brakes appear to work fine but when the 2019 F350 Brake controller gain goes over 3.0, the actuator starts to buzz. At 3.0 and below the actuator makes no noise. I normally have the brake controller set at 5.5 for driving with the trailer attached. The actuator makes noise when I press the brakes hard or when I manually control the brake controller output from the dash. Is this normal or what should I be looking for? What could be the issue.? The brake fluid is full.

asked by: John

Helpful Expert Reply:

Disc brake actuators normally make some noise when they are activated as that's the sound of them building hydraulic pressure. If you fast forward to the 3:00 mark of the review video I attached you can hear what the normal hum/buzz of this actuator should sound like for you to compare to what you have.

What might be going on with your situation is that this actuator doesn't generally like to be used with integrated brake controllers of trucks like what you have in your 2019 Ford F-350. Do the brakes seem to be working properly though? If they are stopping the trailer you might just be totally fine.

The newer trucks mostly all say their integrated controllers work with the EOH setups but we've found that it isn't always the case. What you described happening could be an example of an integrated controller not working right with the actuator so an aftermarket controller will be your best option if the brakes are not working like they need to be. The Prodigy P3 part # 90195 will be your best option as it is the most reliable, best performing, and easiest to use option in general but even more so with EOH setups like yours. The install harness for this controller in your 2019 Ford would be the # 22292.

expert reply by: Jameson C