Will Tekonsha 39523 PowerTrac Brake Controller Fire Trailer Brake Lamps With Manual Slider  

Question:

Helpful Expert Reply:

According to Tekonsha, who manufactures the # 38523 PowerTrac, if the controller was manufactured after 2013, it will drive the trailer's brake lamps with the manual brake slider.

expert reply by: Mike L

1

John F.

6/3/2021

According to Tekonsha, who manufactures the # 38523 PowerTrac, if the controller was manufactured after 2013, it will drive the trailer's brake lamps with the manual brake slider.

Mike L.

6/4/2021

So if the PowerTrac controller your customer has was manufactured before 2014, it will NOT activate the trailer's taillights when the manual brake switch is applied. If you want a brake controller that WILL activate trailer brake lights with the manual brake switch, the latest version of the # 39523 PowerTrac would indeed do that for you. This being said, I'd recommend talking to your customer about going with a proportional controller. A proportional controller has an internal sensor that can sense how quickly the tow vehicle brakes are being applied, and will send the proper amount of voltage to the trailer brakes so that the trailer and tow vehicle brake at the same rate. This provides safer and more predictable braking. A low-cost option like the Brake EVN # TK63VR would be a good choice. The controller levels automatically and features an LED display.