I am partial to the Jordan Ultima 2020(R) brake controller.

Id like to share my findings on brake controllers with anyone interested.

Some manufacturers use pure electronics which are usually time delay Ramp up devices .  You select a value of power you want and set the time you want it to take to get there. The downfall to this design is whether you are feathering your brakes or in a panic stop, you will only and always get this preset value after the preset time expires.  Both values are adjustable, but in a panic stop situation you may risk mis-adjustment or may not have time to make necessary adjustments.

Some manufacturers have gained additional information about the action of the tow vehicle by implementing a mechanical inertia device that senses change of motion in the tow vehicle.  Once the tow vehicle begins to slow, the inertia device would sense this change and applies braking power to the trailer.  This made stopping rely heavily on the tow vehicle braking.

Manufacturers recognized the problem of the dependency on the tow vehicle to activate the braking and added the ability to provide 'Gain', 'Boost' or 'Lead' capabilities by triggering off the light switch and provide a preset value to the trailer brakes ahead of the tow vehicle braking.  However, Inertia activated devices still seem to rely on the tow vehicle slowing.  If the 'Gain' is improperly adjusted, this could cause wheel lock at slow speeds.  Additionally, if the tow vehicle should lose traction (snow or ice) the inertia device may not work correctly if at all.

Most older inertia devices were position sensitive and had to be mounted in the tow vehicle reasonably level.  Some owners indicated there was undesireable brake drag when the tow vehicle would begin a descend down a hill.
 

Jordan Ultima 2020(R) - Jordan has truly developed a new technology. The Jordan controller implements an electronic device that uses a form of linkage (vinyl jacket and inner wire, much like a lawnmower throttle cable but much more flexible) that attaches to the brake pedal arm of the tow vehicle.  I believe this is the only brake controller that provides true control to the driver.  The Jordan controller also works in reverse.

The Jordan controller uses 3 wires - positive (+), ground (-) and brake (output).  There is no need to initiate the Jordan off the light switch - it is activated by the linkage connected to the brake pedal.  The vinyl jacket cable and inner wire are attached to the electronic controller.  http://www.jordanbrake.com/id20.htm   The outer jacket of the cable attaches to the dashboard  of the tow vehicle with a screw clamp at the lower part of the dashboard inline with the brake pedal arm.  The inner wire connects to an adjustable spring loaded cylinder which sits in a bracket on the brake pedal arm of the tow vehicle.  The only holes to drill are for the clamp/bracket into a cross-member of the dash.  When done, this should be out of sight.  The electronic device, cable, bracket and hardware are all provided by Jordan.  The Jordan controller is totally insensitive to position other than needing to be within 18" of the brake pedal arm.

The operation is simple - when you press the pedal lightly you get light braking to the trailer. When you press the pedal hard you get high braking to the trailer.  In my opinion this is the only brake controller that provides true proportional braking to the drivers actions.  I do not believe any other controller can make this claim.

There was a post on the forums (Mar 2002) regarding the use in a 2002 Suburban.  The concern was related to the 'Hydraulic assist' brake system which may allow the brake pedal to have extended movement.  Since the Jordan Ultima 2020 connects to the brake pedal arm I would recommend investigating before attempting installation.

Amps vs Voltage on the display

Trailer brakes work proportionally to voltage applied.  Therefore, most brake controllers display voltage.   Voltage is read 'across' the brake solenoids.  The problem with displaying voltage is regardless of what may happen with the brake system, the value on the display will remain the constant relative to the output setting.  Whether you have 1, 2, 3 or 4 brakes, for any given value it will always read the same.  The voltmeter will continue to display the preset value whether you have 1 - 4 brakes still in operation (ie: 4 brakes, 12 volts, lose 1 brake the value displayed will be 12 - yet you only have 3/4 the braking power and nothing tells you otherwise).  Additionally, voltmeters are about 25% the cost of an ammeters.  I dont know of any brake controller manufacturer that doesnt use a voltmeter for their display other than Jordan Ultima 2020.

The Jordan  Ultima 2020 incorporates an ammeter.  The ammeter displays the actual power being applied to the brakes.  You set your brakes to some predetermined value.  In the event you should lose a brake solenoid or a wire short, the value will decrease by the proportional amount of brakes (ie: 4 brakes, amps 12, lose 1 brake the value displayed will be 9 - you know something is not correct - inherent diagnosis).

There are a few assumptions made here - the vehicles should have the 'Tow Package' option - but not necessary.  Just makes installation easier - but is true for all controllers.

There is a little more to the installation of the Jordan than some of the pure electronic devices and I suspect that is why many of the RV dealers offer the 'easy to install' controllers as their standard - but the time is well worth the comfort gained by the operation of the controller.

The controller can be mounted just about anywhere any other controller can be mounted but must be within 18" of the brake pedal arm.  The Ford Superduty trucks have a convenient cubby hole where it fits nicely.  Whether you have the cubby hole or not, is not important.  Mount the controller per the instructions and location of your choice - just within the cable reaching distance of the brake pedal arm.

The unit is provided with a vinyl jacket and inner wire that interact with the brake pedal arm.  The vinyl jacket (outer jacket) must be secured to a non-moveable part of the tow vehicle - usually a cross member at the knees of the driver.  If a cover panel is available, try to mount this bracket behind the panel.  The vinyl jacket is held onto this bracket with a single screw clamp.  This must be tightened securely to keep the jacket from slipping.

Jordans cable clamp bracket:

My design for the cable clamp bracket:

The wiring is simple - 3 wires - positive (+), negative (-) and brake (output).  These wires can be attached to the pigtail like any other controller.  Plug the pigtail into the factory tow package connector.

There is a bracket provided that attaches to the brake pedal arm and does not require drilling.
See here: http://www.jordanbrake.com/id20.htm.
It wraps around the arm like a horseshoe with the the closed end to the rear of the pedal arm.  The front hole is assembled with the barrel washer to avoid mashing the bracket.  The center hole/set screw is used to hold the bracket in place on the brake pedal arm.

The inner wire wire should be laced into the spring loaded cylinder with the locking set screw toward the rear of the cylinder and loose end of the wire (put the wire into the round end of the cylinder first).  Before tightening the locking set screw, slide the wire into the open slot of the brake pedal bracket.  Hold the open end of the wire and push the cylinder against the pedal bracket - leaving a little slack and tighten the set screw.

Do the test per the instructions and you should be ready to test the setup with your rig.  All tests for the setup require the trailer to be connected.  The instructions indicate to fully depress the red manual operator button and while depressed adjust the controller setting on the front panel to read approximately 07.0 - 08.0 (verify from the instructions).  This is a nominal setting.  You may need to fine tune for your specific setup.

Bruce A. Wittmeier
wittmeba on the Forums
Email me: bruce.wittmeier@cox.net
 
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