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An Electric Brake Controller is a device that supplies power from a 
vehicle to a trailer’s electric brakes. There are 2 types of electric brake controllers 
on the market.

 

 

Time Delay Activated (or “solid state”) controllers are “enabled” by the brake pedal switch and apply a gradual voltage to the trailer’s brakes using a Time Delay Circuit.

 

 

Inertia Activated (or “pendulum style”) controllers are “enabled” by the brake pedal switch and “activated” by a Pendulum Circuit that senses the vehicle’s stopping motion and applies a gradual voltage to the trailer’s brakes.

 Advantages: inexpensive, user friendly, low profile, can be mounted on any angle.  Advantages: consumer acceptance, smooth braking action, operates well under adverse braking conditions.
Disadvantages: consumer resistance to solid-state technology, most units affected by emergency flashers.

Disadvantages:

bulky, must be mounted and calibrated level, more expensive.

 

With both styles, the maximum output of the unit is user adjustable. Both styles have pressure sensitive manual override trigger that can be used to apply the trailer brakes independent of the vehicle brakes. Most importantly, both achieve the same goal safely and reliably. The wiring configuration on both units is the same. All Hidden Hitch supplied Brake Controllers require 4 wire connections:

 

    1.   Trailer Feed (usually blue)

   3.   Brake Switch (usually red)

  

 

    2.   Ground (usually white)

   4.   Battery Power (usually black)

  
 
Trailer Feed:

This is the wire that supplies brake power from the controller to the 6 way or 7 way trailer connector at the back of the vehicle. Some vehicles with factory tow packages already have this wire run from under the dash to rear of the vehicle. Otherwise, it is run along the underside of the vehicle and through the firewall to the desired Brake Control mounting location.
Ground:

This wire is connected from the brake controller to any reliable ground source.
Brake Switch:

This can be found near the top of the brake pedal. There are wires extending from the switch and using a test light, the wire that has power when the brake pedal is pressed down can be found. This wire is tapped into using a scotch lock.
Battery Power: This is the connection that supplies power to brake controller. Some vehicles with factory tow packages already have this wire run from under the dash to the battery with some kind of circuit protection. Otherwise a wire must be run through the firewall and connected directly to the battery with an in line circuit breaker installed.