An electronic control system (20) for an electropneumatic brake for a rail vehicle having a power trainline (18), comprising a battery (34); a functional control module (30) and a power management module; wherein the functional control module (30) includes a brake controller for the electropneumatic brake, an interface to the power trainline, a transceiver for receiving brake signals, a power supply circuit deriving a power supply from the power trainline (18), and a control management controller for the transceiver and the power supply circuit; and wherein the power management module includes a battery charging circuit connected to the power supply and a power controller for the battery charging circuit and the power supply circuit.