JJBoatr
Petty Officer 2nd Class
- Joined
- May 3, 2011
- Messages
- 144
I am converting my braking system from surge to electric and it seams this can be a highly debated topic.
One universal opinion I've seen is don't use electric brakes in salt water...check...I'm a freshwater only fella.
Another seemingly less informed opinion I've seen is "electricity and water don't mix, don't do it." Well, that might be valid but if one were to disconnect power before backing into the water (which I do now) I don't see how there would be an issue. Electric brake systems are always exposed to moisture, whether it be road spray or from sitting outside and they still function just fine. I think to some folks, moisture inside a brake drum could cause malfunction much like moisture in a distributor cap, but I don't believe this to be the case. These brake drums are not sealed units and are not trying to jump a gap at a precise time and therefore the presence of water or moisture should not cause a crippling malfunction.
Anyone with some experience on the subject care to chime in and offer some empirical observations regarding electric brakes on boat trailers? This is a discussion, so anything you have that is in favor of, opposed too or indifferent to the idea is welcome and appreciated.
One universal opinion I've seen is don't use electric brakes in salt water...check...I'm a freshwater only fella.
Another seemingly less informed opinion I've seen is "electricity and water don't mix, don't do it." Well, that might be valid but if one were to disconnect power before backing into the water (which I do now) I don't see how there would be an issue. Electric brake systems are always exposed to moisture, whether it be road spray or from sitting outside and they still function just fine. I think to some folks, moisture inside a brake drum could cause malfunction much like moisture in a distributor cap, but I don't believe this to be the case. These brake drums are not sealed units and are not trying to jump a gap at a precise time and therefore the presence of water or moisture should not cause a crippling malfunction.
Anyone with some experience on the subject care to chime in and offer some empirical observations regarding electric brakes on boat trailers? This is a discussion, so anything you have that is in favor of, opposed too or indifferent to the idea is welcome and appreciated.
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