The Electric Over Hydraulic Brake System - All You Need To Know

The best option for braking on the market might be electric brakes over hydraulic brakes. Here are a few things you can expect when changing your brake system.

Introduction

The standard electric brake system was developed in the 1940s, but many manufacturers still use it because it is cheaper. Those selling new trailers are able to choose the best brakes for their trailer themselves and decide how much they want to spend. The brakes are engaged by hydraulic pressure as hydraulic fluid flows directly to them. In this system, an electrical signal is sent through a brake actuator to the brakes of the trailer. Over 1,000 pounds of braking pressure can be achieved with electric brakes as opposed to 400-500 pounds with hydraulic brakes. Since hydraulic systems do not require adjustments, they consistently brake all wheels at all positions with equal and full force.

Electric Brakes v Hydraulic Brakes

● If you go with electric brakes over hydraulic brakes, you can get better braking performance for your trailer than with either straight electric brakes or hydraulic surge brakes alone.

● Compared to hydraulic trailer brakes, electric trailer brakes have faster response times and provide better control over how trailer brakes perform. Using a brake controller, you can adjust the action of your brakes based on trailer load and preference. It mounts inside your cab so you can conveniently adjust how fast and how hard you want your brakes to apply.

● The hydraulic brake is faster and can stop harder than an electric brake, but it is slower to apply. When the tow vehicle slows and the trailer pushes against it, a surge actuator in the trailer coupler compresses. The brakes of the towing vehicle are applied first, followed by the brakes of the trailer.

● Electric brakes have a longer delay than manual brakes.

● Additionally, you have to lock out typical surge actuators (which typically require you to get out of your vehicle) before backing up. Electric brake trailers do not require any special backing procedures.

You get the best of both worlds when you pair an electric brake controller with hydraulic brakes - great braking control and stopping power.

The Electric Over Hydraulic Brake System

What components are needed?

The electric over-hydraulic brake system requires three main components: a brake controller for the truck, an electric over-hydraulic brake actuator for the trailer, and hydraulic disc brakes for the trailer's wheels. All of these components require wiring and pressure lines to be connected. A brake controller is installed in the truck, a brake actuator is mounted on the trailer, a high-pressure line is installed on each wheel, and a brake actuator is connected to the trailer's connector.

What Is the process for installation?

Ensure that all parts needed for the installation have been shipped. If necessary, reach out to your supplier. In order to access the brake assembly, the trailer must be jacked up and the wheels removed. The trailer should be lifted in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. A caliper bracket must be installed on the axle's brake flange after removing the electric brake drums and backing plates. The new bearings should be packed with grease, the integrated hub rotor should be installed on the spindle and the bearings and seals should be installed. Caliper brackets are then used to mount brake calipers.

Decide where the hydraulic actuator will be mounted over the electric actuator. It is important to consider the actuator's physical size as well as whether it is weatherproof. It is possible to mount a weatherproof actuator such as the Brakerite EHB anywhere. The actuator must then be wired per the manufacturer's instructions and mounted on the trailer.

Actuators are connected to calipers with steel brake line tubing. Electric actuators generate high pressures, which makes steel tubing preferred over rubber. In order to install the wheels back on the trailer, everything needs to be connected, the brakes need to be bled, and the system needs to be tested. This completes the trailer's setup!

When comparing electric drum brakes and electric over hydraulic brakes, what is the biggest difference?

There is an immediate difference. You can feel the trailer physically pushing the tow vehicle if you have ever driven around a trailer with electric drum brakes. Rather than stopping separately, electric stops seem to stop the truck and trailer together evenly. You feel a smoother braking sensation than with electric drum brakes since they are proportional to your speed.

The power of the electric brakes decreases as they age, requiring you to crawl beneath the trailer to adjust them. Your brake controller's gain is then adjusted continuously to achieve optimum trailer braking. Over the life of a brake, this process is repeated multiple times. For the life of disc brake pads, you get equal and full pressure at all wheel positions with no need to adjust the brake controller gain, just like the disc brakes on your tow vehicle.

For years, many people used only electric brakes, so they cannot believe it took them so long to switch to hydraulic brakes.

About Deutsche Hydrapro

Deutsche Hydrapro manufactures Electric-Over-Hydraulic brake actuators. We are inspired to create innovative products by the automotive industry. A number of new braking systems are being developed at the moment.

A license allows Deutsche Hydrapro to manufacture EOH brake actuators in Australia. EOH brake actuators were developed with assistance from a global hydraulic engineering company in Europe. For more than 90 years, the company has provided hydraulic drive and control technologies. We have developed this new product line to provide safe and effective braking solutions to our customers.