Electrical Electric brakes

warren cook

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Sep 18, 2016
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Hey Guys,

I have a Red Arc tow pro elite installed and wonder if the following is normal.

On the last two trips away after driving for a couple of hours on the freeway when I come off the freeway and start braking on normal roads I get a grabbing sensation that is really annoying, I then have to adjust the level of braking manually to get to a comfortable feeling. I have left it for a while thinking it will re-collaborate and nothing.

Now I am assuming it is because the unit has adjusted itself for freeway braking as they automatically collaborate themselves, and is still in this mind set per say, should the unit not recognise this and adjust again or am I understanding it wrong.

Advice please on whether it is normal or if I have a faulty unit, or am I getting the whole thing wrong myself with what I think the tow pro is all about.
 

chartrock

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I find the same as we come into a town after running at 80-90 kph but I find I need the setting up for highway and am happy to accept the "grabbing" sensation while running slow. It is an easy adjustment to wind it back if it bothers you,
 

warren cook

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Sep 18, 2016
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I find the same as we come into a town after running at 80-90 kph but I find I need the setting up for highway and am happy to accept the "grabbing" sensation while running slow. It is an easy adjustment to wind it back if it bothers you,

Thanks @chartrock,

Its not just me then, do you have the same system installed?

You are right it easy to adjust manually aren't they supposed to recalibrate themselves on the tow pro elite, I better go and find the destructions and check it out as I might be understanding them wrong.
 

Bellbirdweb

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Jan 24, 2014
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I have the Towpro the model before the elite, and I often need to change the setting when I first set off and after I've been on the highway.

As things heat up the braking characteristics change slightly.

I think it's reasonably normal.
 

warren cook

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Sep 18, 2016
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I have the Towpro the model before the elite, and I often need to change the setting when I first set off and after I've been on the highway.

As things heat up the braking characteristics change slightly.

I think it's reasonably normal.

That makes a lot of sense @Bellbirdweb about the brakes heating up to be fair, didn't think of it like that.

Cheers.
 

chartrock

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Sep 26, 2010
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I don't think my unit is the "Elite", it was fitted by the dealer. I have no idea of auto calibration, I always check and set it each time I set off.
 

warren cook

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Sep 18, 2016
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I thought I answered this earlier when you first posted

I suggested - is it the ABS on the Jheep...........

but what @chartrock & @Bellbirdweb say is more plausible

Mate didn't see your post, but nah it's not the jeep, Deffo the braking system as it goes away when I manually adjust the internal knobby thingy.

Nice work on the pole carrier by the way.
 
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ChrisFatboySydney

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Feb 29, 2016
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I think that's the way I'm gonna go from now on anyway, that way I know it set correctly.

I have the elite in my isuzu and have the same problem. So I think it is normal.

Re the calibration I thought this was just for the mounting position around the progressive braking. I doubt it would be able to pickup the subtle changes like what causes the grabbing when going slow.

I just adjust the knob a little for highway v heavy traffic / going slow depending on the trailer weight.

Chris
 

Bellbirdweb

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Jan 24, 2014
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I have the elite in my isuzu and have the same problem. So I think it is normal.

Re the calibration I thought this was just for the mounting position around the progressive braking. I doubt it would be able to pickup the subtle changes like what causes the grabbing when going slow.

I just adjust the knob a little for highway v heavy traffic / going slow depending on the trailer weight.

Chris

Your right @ChrisFatboySydney the calibration is only for orientation.

The elite does this automatically whereas the model I have has a manual calibration process. I only needed to do this once, but I adjust the braking power frequently depending on the type of driving, temperature etc.

On the way back from our last trip a couple of weeks ago I was on the freeway setting, but after coming off the M1 into Pennant Hills Rd the van brakes were locking up at the traffic lights until I wound it back a couple of clicks.
 
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warren cook

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Just got the instructions out guys, see below. The unit is supposed to apply the brakes proportional to the speed. I am in Automatic mode as well so that's not the issue, I do not have this problem before the freeway drive only after so brakes heating up may be the reason. I will ring them to check tomorrow for peace of mind. In the mean while a quick adjustment is what is needed when I come off the freeway.
upload_2016-12-18_15-58-51.png
 
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Bellbirdweb

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Just got the instructions out guys, see below. The unit is supposed to apply the brakes proportional to the speed. I am in Automatic mode as well so that's not the issue, I do not have this problem before the freeway drive only after so brakes heating up may be the reason. I will ring them to check tomorrow for peace of mind. In the mean while a quick adjustment is what is needed when I come off the freeway.
View attachment 46677

That's correct,it will brake proportionally up to the set point that you have selected.

You are still required to adjust the set point to the conditions and amount of braking force you need.
 
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jeff

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In Automatic Mode

My take on this is the proportional braking is FROM the set point
If the caravan is not stopping as fast or faster than the car there is a chance of jack knife

I will need to check with REDARC
 
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warren cook

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In Automatic Mode

My take on this is the proportional braking is FROM the set point
If the caravan is not stopping as fast or faster than the car there is a chance of jack knife

I will need to check with REDARC

I think I need to place a call tomorrow myself.

I have it set on 5 when I leave the house and all is good, I do not need to adjust it for the freeway as it brakes fine on freeway onnthet same setting yet coming off the freeway it is still on setting 5 as I don't touch it and then the grabbing starts at low speed breaking. Why does it do it now but not before when I have not touched the adjustment. I need to dial it down to 4 to get it to a more comfortable setting. The brakes heating up sound very plausible but I am by no means a mechanic do not sure.
 
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Bellbirdweb

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I think I need to place a call tomorrow myself.

I have it set on 5 when I leave the house and all is good, I do not need to adjust it for the freeway as it brakes fine on freeway onnthet same setting yet coming off the freeway it is still on setting 5 as I don't touch it and then the grabbing starts at low speed breaking. Why does it do it now but not before when I have not touched the adjustment. I need to dial it down to 4 to get it to a more comfortable setting. The brakes heating up sound very plausible but I am by no means a mechanic do not sure.

Really interested to see what they say, as mine works the same way.
 
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