Brake Controller Enhanced Proportional Braking using Current Compensation

Current Compensation Brake Controllers were introduced by Hensley Mfg. in September of 2006. Why is this feature a requirement for electric trailer brakes? Read on.

What is Current Compensation?

Problem: as you use your magnetic electric brakes they fade due to the heat. During normal stopping your brakes exceed 300˚ Fahrenheit. This fading, or change in resistance of the magnet, is due to frequency and heat. With the right technology, the brake controller can measure this brake fade. And if you can measure it, you can compensate for it. This is what we call Current Compensation.

Bottom line: you get the same braking independent of frequency of use or heat. FINALLY, a brake controller where you do not have to adjust the gain or power level while you’re traveling.

Proportional braking means that you send the same level of power to the trailer brakes that you send to the tow vehicle brakes at precisely the same time. This works great until the trailer brake magnets get hot and start to fade. Proportional with Current Compensation is the answer you need for the same stop every time.

The TruControl™ series of Brake Controllers use Current Compensation with their patent pending software to automatically adjust your power (gain) while maintaining a smooth but powerful stop. To read more about the features of the TruControl™, go to the TruControl Gold Features Page.

The chart below will show you how brake controllers evolved to where we are now. Proportional brake controllers set a new standard with their introduction in the mid 90s. Now, Current Compensation raises the bar even higher, setting new standards in safety and performance.

Brake Controller History at a Glance

Type	Description	Summary
2006 Current Compensating & Proportional Brake Controllers	Applying equal braking between tow-vehicle and trailer brakes while constantly compensating the current to your trailer brakes to make up for brake fade, a result of heat and frequency of use.	You really need this feature unless you want to constantly update your gain manually every time your brakes fade between highway and city driving. This technology has been recently developed by Hensley Mfg.
1995's Proportional Brake Controllers	This term refers to measuring the driver intent based on accelerometers, hydraulic pressure or brake pedal wires. Basically it means that the trailer gets the same level of brake power as the truck or vehicle.	This type of braking is fine for hydraulic systems, however does not work well for electric brake magnets since brake magnets fade immediately after the first 5 seconds.
1990's Accelerometer or Inertia controlled	The accelerometer controlled brake controller uses solid state input from an accelerometer to measure the deceleration required.	Using a solid state inertia input is much better than the mechanical pendulums due to no moving parts. Requires constant gain adjustment.
1985's Brake Pedal Wire controlled	A wired controller uses a wire placed on the brake pedal to measure how far the brake pedal is pressed.	This is a mechanical solution and has mechanical drawbacks and is difficult to install and maintain.
1980's Time Based Brake Controller	A time based brake controller uses time after you press the brake pedal to fully stop or slow down the trailer. Usually the brakes will fully engage after 3 to 10 seconds.	This type of controller does not always stop in the time desired or required. It may be too soon or too late many times.
1970's & Recent Hydraulic sensor controlled	The hydraulic controlled brake controller taps into the truck brake line to measure the brake pressure and apply equivalent amperage to the trailer brakes.	This principle existed in 1960. However, the older sensors had too much fluid displacement which interfered with the ABS modules installed on the vehicles. Current models do not compensate for brake fade and are difficult to install.
1960's Pendulum Brake Controller	The pendulum brake controller utilized a mechanical swing or pendulum to sense the stopping intent (how hard the driver presses on the pedal).	The pendulum did not always swing correctly due to temperature and angle changes. This causes jerky stops.

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