Can anyone tell me what this is??

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ButchM

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It was not uncommon to have that hydraulic-over-electrical controller, drip on your leg or shoes; they were however, the only thing going for lighter vehicles, although surge brakes - which are NOT integrated into the vehicle's hydraulic brakes, were used occasionally.

Tapping into a single-cylinder master cylinder to operate the hydraulic-electric brake controller was rapidly made illegal even though Pep-Boys and Western Auto decided --- if they couldn't sell them in California, they'd sell them to other states.

They slowly became illegal if not by becoming the cause of brake pedals dropping to the floor in a panic stop; remember --- this is a single piston master cylinder system! This is what/where it was designed to operate.

It was never advertised (TTBOMK) as a trailer brake controller on dual-master cylinder systems.

I tried one once --- it wasn't good and the brake pedal was always a lot lower than it should be --- and it would trip the overcenter switch if used in a hard stop.

Surge brakes are still in use --- legally --- in California but only on boat trailers as they are a sealed system, not electric, and can work well if some maintenance is performed.

If I used any big words that you - (as a collective, not any particular individual) - can't understand, let me know, and I can use sock puppets to act out this post for you.
Surfer
First off please refer to my post last week and reread the entire thread.
An example may illustrate, have you ever been in a group setting and someone asks "why do politicians suck so bad?" and there is that guy who pipes in with "well actually, just like an internal combustion engine, when the piston moves down it doesn't really SUCK in air, the higher atmospheric pressure outside pushes the air into the engine due to the pressure differential across the intake tract"? While technically correct, it wasn't answering the question that was asked or even in the spirit of the conversation.
BTW, telling people on here that being a retired mechanic is your superpower is kinda implying that you believe you know more than most here, doubtful.
If you read through the various threads you will realize that there are many people here with decades and decades of non-professional mechanic experience that have learned the "old fashioned" way. As you may, or may not know, before the advent of the interweb and computers/scanners we learned by trial and error or asking someone (same as here but in person) for advice/help, or some combination of both. Most of the problems/questions posed here although new to the poster, have been experienced many times by someone previously. That is why this is an awesome resource for "young-uns" getting into what are now called square bodies, as well as un not so young-uns who come upon new problems. Cringe.... I bought an 84 K10 new at a Chev dealership. They're looking for assistance and guidance, not fire and brimstone from a pulpit.
As for the whole sock puppet thing.... LOLOLOL
 

ButchM

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It was not uncommon to have that hydraulic-over-electrical controller, drip on your leg or shoes; they were however, the only thing going for lighter vehicles, although surge brakes - which are NOT integrated into the vehicle's hydraulic brakes, were used occasionally.

Tapping into a single-cylinder master cylinder to operate the hydraulic-electric brake controller was rapidly made illegal even though Pep-Boys and Western Auto decided --- if they couldn't sell them in California, they'd sell them to other states.

They slowly became illegal if not by becoming the cause of brake pedals dropping to the floor in a panic stop; remember --- this is a single piston master cylinder system! This is what/where it was designed to operate.

It was never advertised (TTBOMK) as a trailer brake controller on dual-master cylinder systems.

I tried one once --- it wasn't good and the brake pedal was always a lot lower than it should be --- and it would trip the overcenter switch if used in a hard stop.

Surge brakes are still in use --- legally --- in California but only on boat trailers as they are a sealed system, not electric, and can work well if some maintenance is performed.

If I used any big words that you - (as a collective, not any particular individual) - can't understand, let me know, and I can use sock puppets to act out this post for you.
Did CA outlaw the surge brakes on U-Haul trailers?
 

RanchWelder

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I did an hour of research to find anything about the hydraulic controllers not being allowed legally, and i cannot find anything. The only thing I have found is that the Kelsey-Hayes company went through business changing of hands around when they stopped making the last unit (90s), and by time it did anything new in the controller world, it went to the electric-automatic (with accelerometers and stuff)
And the company restructured again in 2023. I sent them an email asking if they by chance know what the reason is. we will see if they respond or what they say.

I was digging through Federal Register listings and Code of Federal Regulations for these things, and nothing comes up.
It's above your pay grade to find the court cases because of the Trade Association's heavy hand on this crap...dark Hand erased it from the internet.

Some of the operatives for that org are likely undecover here, arguing with you?
Nahhhhh, never....

You know if GM had to recall 450,000 over brake controllers, these simple stoopid resistors must have failed brilliantly in the auto parts hydro units with zero defect o-rings and stamped tin valve levers?

The threads were cut without 000.99999 capable CAD software and highly altered thread tollerance proprietary machinery in China? What could go wrong?

(The Auto CAD thread software was $6000.00 plug in module in 2000-2008. AC had to authorize you to be accepted into the "Safe and Approved Vendore's Team", in order to buy it though...)

Nah, they work great!

Spit on it and stick it in!

Cockroach never killed one yet, let alone a cold soda pop on that cheapo resistor controller? Nah.....

https://www.motortrend.com/news/201...rado-hd-medium-duty-trucks-recall-fire-hazard

3.8 Million bad brakes?
https://www.nbcnews.com/business/co...y-3-8m-pickups-suvs-fix-brake-issues-n1052356

Engines are good too:
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/gm-recall-calls-out-721k-trucks-and-suvs-for-v8-engine-failure/

Trust a foreign brake controller made by a minimally insured fly-by-night company because I'm a Redneck, daminit!

Those ikids in China/Indjuia/Mexicalli make good stuuuuf!

California is the problem, (but that's besides the point), although I love them West Coaster's, really I do... Something about the sun setting on the ocean makes them super hot women. (I'm from West Coast FLA, so I know the tuned down Gulf of America bikini sunset version.)

It's where they ship all the cheap stuff that bother's me.
Why do them CAL importer's get all the imports, duties and terrifs money?
I want some terrif's money too.

On a lighter note:
Please move AG?
You deserve to be free and un-taxed and less poisoned in the Fly-Over States.
We run 4WD's , fish, hunt Deer/Elk day and night.

Like both ya'll's arguments though, only one of you could honestly be trusted to service my brake system. Lot's of good ideas get the shin dig though.

Bet me 450,000 recalls they are not safe for real people with real liability?

The best engineers get it wrong with billions to spend.

It's all a crap shoot.

The electric systems seem to work well if installed "into a factory harness by a certified professional", like AG.

Just don't drop your soda pop on it either, OK?

You win Auroragirl just because you are Super Cool, in my guestimate.
Shreck video really hit a nerve, huhuhuh.

Ya'll give the lady some space?
She's just teasin'.

*** No disrespect to "sock puppet's" was implied or should be interpreted while reading this comment. Honestly don't know any SP\s, so if I offended one, did not mean too.***
 
Last edited:

AuroraGirl

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It's above your pay grade to find the court cases because of the Trade Association's heavy hand on this crap...dark Hand erased it from the internet.

Some of the operatives for that org are likely undecover here, arguing with you?
Nahhhhh, never....

You know if GM had to recall 450,000 over brake controllers, these simple stoopid resistors must have failed brilliantly in the auto parts hydro units with zero defect o-rings and stamped tin valve levers?

The threads were cut without 000.99999 capable CAD software and highly altered thread tollerance proprietary machinery in China? What could go wrong?

(The Auto CAD thread software was $6000.00 plug in module in 2008. They had to authorize you to be accepted into the "Safe and Approved Vendore's Team", in order to buy it though...)

Nah, they work great!

Spit on it and stick it in!

Cockroach never killed one yet, let alone a cold soda pop on that cheapo resistor controller? Nah.....

https://www.motortrend.com/news/201...rado-hd-medium-duty-trucks-recall-fire-hazard

3.8 Million bad brakes?
https://www.nbcnews.com/business/co...y-3-8m-pickups-suvs-fix-brake-issues-n1052356

Engines are good too:
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/gm-recall-calls-out-721k-trucks-and-suvs-for-v8-engine-failure/

I trust a foreign brake controller made by a minimally insured fly by night company because I'm a Redneck, daminit! Those ikids in China/Indjuia make good stuuuuf!

California is the problem, (but that's besides the point), although I love them West Coaster's, really I do...
It's where they ship all the cheap stuff that bother's me.
Why do they get all the import, duties and terrfi's money?
I want some too.

On a lighter note:
Please move AG?
You deserve to be free and un-taxed and less poisoned in the Fly-Over States.

Like both ya'll's arguments though, only one of you could honestly be trusted to service my brake system. Lot's of good ideas get the shin dig though.

Bet me 450,000 recalls they are not safe for real people with real liability?

The best engineers get it wrong with billions to spend.

It's all a crap shoot.

The electric systems seem to work well if installed "into a factory harness by a certified professional", like AG.

Just don't drop your soda pop on it either, OK?

You win Auroragirl just because you are Super Cool, in my guestimate.
Shreck video really hit a nerve, huhuhuh.

Ya'll give the lady some space?
She's just teasin'.
i dont live in cali lol
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RanchWelder

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Boneyard makes the cut.
Keep cold, drink fresh.

Knew you were Super Intelligent O/C Blond.

Green Flag!
 
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