A hydraulic disc brake conversion needs something on the trailer to create brake pressure. On a DeeMaxx conversion, that job belongs to an EOH Alpha actuator. DeeMaxx offers four versions, plus black-finish versions of two of them, and the differences come down to pressure, fluid capacity and wiring. Here is how they compare and which one belongs on your trailer.
What an electric-over-hydraulic actuator does
Electric-over-hydraulic (EOH) means the actuator takes an electric brake signal and turns it into hydraulic pressure. It mounts on the trailer with its own fluid reservoir. When the brake signal comes from the tow vehicle, the actuator pressurizes the brake lines, and the calipers clamp the pads onto the rotors. Because the pressure is made on the trailer, the tow vehicle only has to send the electric signal.
Pressure is the first thing to match. DeeMaxx rates its drum brake actuator at 1,000 psi and its disc brake actuators at 1,600 psi. All Alpha models have a built-in compatibility adapter.
The Alpha lineup at a glance
| Model | Brakes | Axles | Pressure | Fluid | Dimensions | Wiring | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EOHA1000 (silver) | Drum | Single or tandem | 1,000 psi | 15.7 fl oz | 11.5" x 3.5" x 7" | Spliced/manual | 11.65 lb |
| EOHA1600 (silver) / EOHA1600-BLK (black) | Disc | Single or tandem | 1,600 psi | 15.7 fl oz | 11.5" x 3.5" x 7" | Spliced/manual | 11.65 lb |
| EOHA1600P&P (silver) / EOHA1600P&P-BLK (black) | Disc | Single or tandem | 1,600 psi | 15.7 fl oz | 11.5" x 3.5" x 7" | Plug-in | 23.35 lb (kit) |
| EOHA1600XL (silver) | Disc | Triple or more | 1,600 psi | 28.7 fl oz | 13.75" x 3.5" x 7" | Spliced/manual | 12.30 lb |
Alpha 1000: for hydraulic drum brakes
The EOHA1000 is the drum brake model: 1,000 psi and 15.7 fl oz of fluid capacity, for single or tandem axle trailers with hydraulic drum brakes. It has the same 11.5" x 3.5" x 7" dimensions, spliced/manual wiring and 11.65 lb weight as the Alpha 1600. For a disc brake conversion, choose one of the 1600 models below.
Alpha 1600: the standard disc brake actuator
The EOHA1600 delivers 1,600 psi from a 15.7 fl oz reservoir and is designed for single or tandem axle trailers with hydraulic disc brakes. DeeMaxx lists its wiring connection as spliced/manual, so you wire it into the trailer yourself. It is the actuator in every DeeMaxx tandem master kit, such as MK-TA-7K-MAXX. The EOHA1600-BLK has the same specifications in a black finish.
Alpha 1600 Plug & Play: wiring and breakaway in the box
The EOHA1600P&P has the same 1,600 psi, 15.7 fl oz and 11.5" x 3.5" x 7" figures, but its wiring connection is plug-in, and the kit adds:
- a 10.5 ft wiring harness
- a 5-pin flat plug for the trailer lights
- a 10Ah breakaway battery with LED indicator
- a breakaway switch kit
The complete kit weighs 23.35 lb, against 11.65 lb for the standard actuator on its own. It is rated for single or tandem axles with hydraulic disc brakes, and the EOHA1600P&P-BLK is the black version. If you are building a single or tandem conversion from one-axle or single-wheel kits and want the harness, breakaway battery and switch sourced together, this is the version to look at.
Alpha 1600 XL: for triple axles
The EOHA1600XL keeps 1,600 psi but raises fluid capacity to 28.7 fl oz, and DeeMaxx designs it for trailers with triple axles or more. It is longer, at 13.75" x 3.5" x 7", and weighs 12.30 lb. Wiring is spliced/manual. It is the actuator in every triple master kit, such as MK-TR-7K-MAXX, where it feeds 6 wheel kits.
Which actuator do you need?
- Hydraulic drum brakes, single or tandem axle: EOHA1000.
- Disc brakes, single or tandem, wiring it yourself: EOHA1600 or EOHA1600-BLK.
- Disc brakes, single or tandem, harness and breakaway included: EOHA1600P&P or EOHA1600P&P-BLK.
- Disc brakes, triple axles or more: EOHA1600XL.
- Buying a master kit: the actuator is included, EOHA1600 in MK-TA kits and EOHA1600XL in MK-TR kits.
Brake lines to go with it
The actuator reaches the calipers through hydraulic brake lines. Master kits include a line kit. For other builds, DeeMaxx offers three:
- DOT-SA18K: 18' single axle kit with a 220" flex line, a brass 3-way fitting, clamps and axle tie straps.
- DOT-TA20K: 20' tandem axle kit with a 240" flex line, one brass 4-way and one brass 3-way fitting, 12 clamps and 12 axle tie straps. Included in MK-TA kits.
- DOT-TR20K: 20' triple axle kit with a 240" flex line, two brass 4-way fittings and one 3-way fitting, 14 clamps and 18 axle tie straps. Included in MK-TR kits.
For custom runs or repairs, single lines come in rubber, such as the 24" rubber line (DOT-RFL-24"), and in stainless steel braided with a Teflon core, such as the 24" stainless line (DOT-SSFL-24"). Both have 3/16" inverted flare male ends, and there is also an 18" stainless line with 90° male/female ends.
Questions about wiring or which actuator suits your brakes? Contact us, or browse the full DeeMaxx collection.
Specifications are DeeMaxx’s published figures. Confirm your axle rating, bolt pattern and brake flange before ordering.