In cab brake controller .

[dads tractor]

In the market for a brake controller and know sweet b ---all about them .

Needs 1 to be able to be used on a unbraked tinny trailer

2 to be used on car trailer

3 to be used as a caravan plug

and I dont want to be using adapter plugs or changing wires for each use ,which if I use a seven pin flat plug that will cover it.

My research so far leads me to *2017 model, latest software, includes bonus 30 amp automatic reset circuit breaker and circuit breaker insulator*

The Tekonsha P3 is the height of performance.

Like the rest of the top end of the Tekonsha brake controller range, the P3 utilizes an accelerometer to accurately determine braking force being applied by the towing vehicle and matches it accordingly with the trailer brakes, unlike the simple and more common time delay variants which merely activate at a predetermined amount and a set delay from when the brake lights are activated. Unlike other brands of proportional force brake controllers, Tekonsha units do not have to be mounted and calibrated level.

The P3 sets itself apart from the rest of the range with its LCD display, allowing the driver to customize a multitude a settings and even saving profiles to allow for hot swapping between trailers or even preferences of multiple drivers.

Tekonsha have so much faith in their P3 they’ve given it a limited lifetime warranty.


P3 the industries most advanced electric trailer brake control. A true proportional braking system, P3 has several added features, making it the new standard for electric trailer brake controls.
5 storable setting options for pulling different trailers or preferences of multiple drivers.
A distinct, easy-to-read LCD display with multiple screen color options.
Up-Front controls provide easy access to all P3 features.
Easy to understand diagnostics show output current, battery, brake, and output voltage.
A flashing red warning system alerts user to No Trailer Brake situations.
Select Electric over Hydraulic or Electric trailer brake mode.
Screen information display in English, French or Spanish.
The Original Boost feature allows for different levels of customized braking.
Compact, dash-hugging design.
Integrated Plug-N-Play port for 2-plug adapters.
Snap-in mounting clip allows user to remove and store the control when not in use.
Electric trailer brake control for up to 4 braking axles.
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Technical Specifications:
Brand: Tekonsha
Part Number: 90195
Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty
UPC: 783192015686
Dimensions: 3" L x 4.5" W x 10.63" H
Weight: 1.497 lbs.
Package Type: Boxed

or

REDARC-EBRH-ACCV2-TOW-PRO-ELITE-TOWPRO-ELECTRIC-BRAKE-CONTROL

So who has what and why also can I cover all systems with a 7 pin flat plug I think I can .Any power supply will be by anderson plug to keep things simple . TIA

[Rossco]

I've got a red arc tow pro elite and love it. Works a treat can leave it in auto mode where you can still dial it up or down or manual where you can tweak it more. Usually just leave it in auto and does the job great. The best thing i like about it is the unit can be mounted anywhere under the dash in any direction with just the control knob visible on the dash wherever it fits. One you start driving it calibrates and works out which way your traveling.

Yeah I've got everything running through a 7 pin round including a hot wire for the accessories but she's full now!

If your after brakes for the trailer try Huntsman products for bits they're really good, probably best to get whole new axle drum to drum.

Sent from my GT-I9506 using Tapatalk

[TimE]

I have a P3, it works well for me, is simple to use, and doesn't require a memory of the manual to adjust or use, very intuitive.

Haven't used a Redarc, but did consider one prior to purchase of the Tekonsha.

[dads tractor]

Thanks TimE and Rossco for your views and comments still haven't made a decision . Now I have a couple of handy diesel fitters (sons) that raid the beer fridge often would you let them loose to wire the unit up or quicker to pay a auto leccy , who did yours ?

[Rossco]

Did mine myself, was a pisser. If i can can do it sure anyone can [emoji6] .

The only thing i noticed with the red arc was it took a little to calibrate it's self. First time you drive it brakes don't work need to do a few hard stops then it knows which way it's mounted, then after that good as gold.

Had a quick look at the P3 looks good, but the main thing I like about the red arc is its so minimal in the cab, but looks like P3 would be more customisable maybe. Come down to personal choice i reckon. .

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[TimE]

Yep, easy to install, I'm a 64 year old ex public servant, mate if I can do it in less than an hour, anyone should be able to do it!!

I mounted the cradle that holds the P3 unit on the dash directly above my left knee, have yet to knock it with my knee in the 18 months it has been installed. I ran the cable to the plug that clips into the unit up the underside of the steering column, when disconnected excess cable can be fed back under the dash.

[dads tractor]

Yep, easy to install, I'm a 64 year old ex public servant ; well thats 2 of us ex Aviation Firefighter .

Whats the camper mate T van ?

[TimE]

Whats the camper mate T van ?

Wash your mouth out ;)

It is a Vista RV Crossover XL (http://vistarv.com.au/XL/) Possibly the best go anywhere, and I mean anywhere your 4X4 will go camper (that doesn't use canvas) built in Aus. Just in the process of packing it up for our Kimberley trip, head off on Sunday for a couple of moths, can't wait for the warm :)

[dads tractor]

I did with Carlton dry does that count .:1062:

[JME_GU]

I've got the Redarc Tow Pro Elite, I ended up going for it because it has lots of installation options, you can mount the actual unit anywhere, anyway up and the cable that comes with it to link the controller to the switch is just a normal network cable so you can swap it out to any length you need. The initial calibration takes a few minutes but that is only the first use after installation, after that it is brilliant.

Consider using a quality trailer connector set, the cheap ones struggle to accommodate the thicker wires needed for electric brakes (from memory I think it's 20amp???). Supercheap do a metal plug housing that includes LEDs to show when each circuit has power which simplifies wiring, I think it was about $20 or so.

[MudRunnerTD]

I am in the market too and think the Hayman Reece Compact IQ and the Redarc Tow Pro both look awesome and keen for some reviews there too guys.

[Cuppa]

That Vista crossover is only good 'cos it was designed by the same bloke who designed the Tvan. I was very tempted by it & an indoor kitchen at the back would have swung it for me.

I fitted a Redarc Towpro to the Patrol. Easy to fit, & importantly from my perspective took up less space in the cab. I leave it auto mode all the time, but tested the 'light braking' function (pushing the button to brake the trailer only) & am confident that it would be a good thing should any trailer sway ever happen (not that such a thing is likely with either yours or my campers).
Of course how well the braking works depends upon having the trailer brakes set up properly. I can actually pull up quicker with the Tvan connected than I can with the vehicle solo!

I wasn't keen on the Tekonsha slide to manually brake the trailer alone, & felt the simplicity of just pressing a button to be a better idea. That said I've never actually used a Tekonsha.

[TimE]

That Vista crossover is only good 'cos it was designed by the same bloke who designed the Tvan. I was very tempted by it & an indoor kitchen at the back would have swung it for me.

Not wishing to hijack the thread, but my main criteria in selecting a new camper, after the Kimberley Kamper, was no more canvas. The Tvans are OK, a few Club mates have them, but they have canvas that needs to be set up and packed up, the Vista requires two latches to be undone and the roof popped up, literally a 10 second job :) Never been a fan of cooking inside a camper so that was not an issue for us.

...... and yes 12" electric brakes on the Vista certainly aid the stopping process. The P3 controller has a sliding arm to manually override the braking, the amount you "slide" the arm dictates the braking force, so you can gently brake the van all the way through to full on braking, does help retardation when going down steeeeeep hills. Not sure if you can do that with the Redarc, would be interested to know.

[GeeYou8]

I fitted Redarc Tow Pro Elite, control knob in blank near gea lever, box on a bit of ali angle just in front used existing holes. Flat 7 pin plug (genuine Nissan), I have found that I have to clean the plug on the vehicle before each use or the blue light is intermittent.
Looking at upgrading the plug, does anyone know if you can get ones with better seals to keep the dirt out when not in use?
As I understand it if you fit a 12 pin flat to the vehicle you can still connect a trailer with a 7 pin.
Graham

[Cuppa]

I fitted Redarc Tow Pro Elite, control knob in blank near gea lever, box on a bit of ali angle just in front used existing holes.

Here's mine, was a bit fiddly but managed to fit it into one of the dash switch blanks.

72231

[Rossco]

Here's mine, was a bit fiddly but managed to fit it into one of the dash switch blanks.

72231
I thought it was the little knob on the pillar pod and thought you have kept it minimal! . .then i spotted it . [emoji6]

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[jff45]

I also use the Redarc. I have the button just under the GU sub tank button so right beside my left hand.
I have a slightly overweight 2.5t caravan and it works well through a normal 7 pin flat plug.
Calibration can be done with nothing hitched up.

I do have to switch it down to 2 or so when manoeuvring slowly because my brakes grab a bit but that's not the fault of the Redarc?

[lucus30]

I have had a tekonsha (granted it was a number of years old) and now have the red arc tow pro elite and can say its way better.

[GeeYou8]

I do have to switch it down to 2 or so when manoeuvring slowly because my brakes grab a bit but that's not the fault of the Redarc?
I find my brakes lock on the car trailer when there is no car on it, but you would expect that.

[TT Aero]

Hi All

When I did my research on brake controllers the Tekonsha came out on top so that's what I bought, one of the features I particularly like is the ability to remove it from it's bracket and stow it out of the way in it's own pouch when not in use.

I decided to have a go at installing it today so searched this forum and the net generally for Patrol specific installation instructions or ideas but couldn't find any.

I want it in a position where I can clearly see the digital display and reach the manual over ride quickly and easily so the logical position for me is the box recess above the radio with the pop up lid.

http://fishingmonthly.com.au/img/uploads/a2c2039e61e146abce1975536042cca7_Kam4WD511_4.jpg

I currently have it all out and it looks like it will fit, I'll let you know how I go tomorrow and post some pics.

[TT Aero]

Hi All

It's done and I now have pics, the controller mount sits out of sight behind the flap when the controller is in its pouch not in use and slips neatly into the bracket when required.

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2017/07/341.jpg

There was a fair bit of trial and error getting holes in the right spot but fortunately it's all out of sight. First the radio and center air con vent unit was removed, I cut a couple of slots in the top of the panel for the small bracket mount and then a larger one at the back for the wiring.

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2017/07/342.jpg
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2017/07/343.jpg
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2017/07/344.jpg
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2017/07/345.jpg
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2017/07/346.jpg
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2017/07/347.jpg


With that done I turned to the wiring and decided to take power directly from the battery via a 25amp circuit breaker and then went looking for someway to get through the firewall, I found a rubber grommet in a metal bracket just above the accelerator pedal that I used to feed wiring through, I couldn't find any 6mm blue cable so I've used black that I've run along the chassis and put some blue heat shrink at the plug end to hopefully avoid confusion at a later date. I was hoping the factory might have allowed for electric brakes in the wiring loom but the only thing I found was a short 4mm cable at the tow bar going to the plug but it's under size so will be removed.

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2017/07/348.jpg
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2017/07/349.jpg
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2017/07/350.jpg
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2017/07/351.jpg
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2017/07/352.jpg
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2017/07/353.jpg
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2017/07/354.jpg
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2017/07/355.jpg
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2017/07/356.jpg


It took a bit of mucking around refitting the air con panel to create enough space for the wiring to slide in and out a bit when fitting the controller but it fits.

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2017/07/357.jpg
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2017/07/358.jpg


Cheers
John

[vb4me]

I had the tekonsha p3 in my discovery and it was fantastic. Installed one in a mates triton and he loves it. Easy to use., but I opted for the Redarc TowPro Elite in the Patrol because Its Aussie made and was interested to see how much difference there is between them. Stillin the process of installation but will find out very soon.

[dads tractor]

So install time for the p3 and I would like to pick your brains. The blue wire which carries the current from the controller to the brakes what size did you use , I'm thinking 6mm because I have 4mt roughly on the ute too 8pin flat and 5mts from flat to brakes so will cover a van car trailer etc. that will allow 4amps per brake x 4 brakes is 16amps plus cover the distance from source to application . Any one agree or disagree on my logic because I'm on my L plates with this wiring gig .ha ha

[TT Aero]

Hi dads tractor and All

I couldn't find reference to a brake controller fitted where I have so there was a fair bit of trial and error and I took my time over a couple of days but if I were to do it again I'd have it done in three to four hours.

6mm is the recommended wire size so that's what I used but I couldn't find it in blue so will put some blue heat shrink at the plug end, interestingly the stock wiring loom has a blue wire at the trailer plug that I'm guessing is for electric brakes but it's only 4mm so I'll be upgrading that to 6mm.

I have a lot of install pics that I will post when I find a free hosting site but before then if you want them pm me your email addy and I'll send them to you.

Cheers
John

[dads tractor]

tt pm'd you

[TT Aero]

pm replied

[TT Aero]

Hi All

Pics are now up at the top of this page.

Cheers
John

[FNqGu04]

Hi Guys
I work at a place that fits these brake controllers .
In relation to wire size from the controller to the trailer plug ,we use 4mm wire as it is the same size as the wires
coming out of the unit ,and it is more than enough .
Just thought I would clear that up for you

Craig