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Brake Buddy

Yahoo Message Number: 3372
I just wanted to tell about the exceptional service received recently from the folks at Brake Buddy. Recently my 12V plug over heated and melted. I called them for a replacement. They not only sent the replacement but wiring and instructions to put a receptacle that is connected directly to the battery. The man there said that the reason that the plug melts is usually because the car wiring is too light. The did not charge me anything for this stuff. I bought the unit last year from a friend that had to sell his MH.
While wiring in the BB plug, I put in a battery disconnect so I don't have to pull fuses any more. I frequently had a dead battery even when pulling fuses.

Ree

Full-Timing in a 2003 Allure

Brake Buddy

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 3914
Would anyone have opinions on the Brake Buddy? Its easiness in hooking up appeals to me. (I have had a simple brake system that hooks up to the tow bar and it is a hassle moving from one vehicle to another and cutting holes for cables. It is several years old now and may not provide as much braking power as newer units.) I have read that the brake buddy can drain the car's battery. On my Allure there is a 7pin Bargman plug and I think one of those pins could be used to transfer alternator power from the coach to the car. Any opinions? Mike Lewis

2000 Allure #30493
98 Honda CRV

Re: Brake Buddy

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 3922
Thanks David. Two questions...first what is the problem if the brake lights are on? Besides being a nuisance to drivers behind you, and perhaps getting them to slow down, will this also cause battery failure? Second, you mention having a Honda Odyssey. I am getting interested in getting one as I find the CRV slightly too small. I do hope to start fulltiming quite soon and would like to be able to sleep inside a car for shorter jaunts. I still dream of my old VW Van (1960's version)...New Eurovans are too heavy and besides they can only be towed on a flatbed. The Odysseys are not approved by Honda for towing. Do you follow the same sequence of shifting gears that I do with the CRV? I also make it a habit to run thru the gears every 4 hours or so. Is the Brake Buddy a nuisance at that point as I assume it has to be disconnected. Thanks again.
On Thu, 30 Jan 2003 21:30:05 EST F102508@... writes:

Re: Brake Buddy

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 3923
I have used a brake buddy for at least 6 years. they are a great company do purchase from they stand behind their products.
I had a problem with the unit that goes in the coach to let you know that the unit applies the brakes in the toad. they sent me a replacement at no cost to me.
Greg

Re: Brake Buddy

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 3927
Mike

I have no idea how the braking system on the CRV is designed and can only relate to my recent analysis of selecting a brake system for my 1999 Chevy Tahoe. I looked at many systems over the past several months and talked to many owners as well as the manufacturers and their reps. I had considered the Brake Buddy, but quickly scratched that one off my consideration list. My Tahoe, as with most GM vehicles, uses a vacuum assisted brake system. While the Brake Buddy does not tap into the brake system in any way, I did not like the design of dead pedal braking that depended on inertia and battery power for brake application.

If you look at all the different systems, they all promote that the system will stop your towed vehicle in at least 33% less distance than without brakes. This value is not much to compare by and is basically usless data. You need to know your own vehicle and how it's brake system works. Then match an aux brake system to it that provides as close to the same type brake application as if driven.
The closer you get to that point, the less dependent your towed vehicle is on your coaches brakes for stopping. I do not think that there is any system that will replicate brake action 100%. So, you are always dependent to some extent or another on the coaches brakes.
It took me about a year now before I decided on a brake system for my Tahoe. I just spent three days at the Tampa show talking to the various manufacturers of the different brake systems for the last time. I looked at their mock-ups, talked to their engineers. At one point one of the manufacturers (U.S Gear) took out his cell phone and called one of his suppliers who builds the brain box for the US Gear system. I was able to discuss with the supplier's engineer potential RFI effects on the circuit design. Since I am a ham radio nut and have already installed allot of ham radio equipment, I wanted to make sure the brain box design was not sensitive to RF that may be created by my ham radio equipment. I was quite impressed with the discussion and design of the US gear, but held my decision until I could look at all the others once again. On the last day of the show I decide on and purchased the US Gear system. This system may not be the system to everyone's liking or need, but I felt it best for my application.
Why?

The US Gear taps into the vacuum line to the vacuum boost using a tee and check valve. A vacuum pump is attached to provide constant vacuum to the Tahoes brakes. The pump is powered by 12Vdc from the coach and the Tahoe's battery which is also being trickle charged at the same time. The vacuum pump is a low ampere draw. So, the power available through the Bargman 7-pole connector is sufficient.
So, now you have constant vacuum on the brake system. An actuator is then hooked to the brake pedal by a cable. The actuator is small enough to either mount under the seat or up under the dash of my Tahoe. The cable is hidden under the carpet and runs in a channel to the brake pedal. The actuator is controled by a brain box and a indicator/control which is mounted in the coach. The brain box senses brake application through the brake light switches in the coach and applies the brakes according to the requirements setup in the gain control adjustments. The brain box also provides positive feedback indicaton as to the status of the system. There is also a dead-man cable to apply the brakes if the towed vehicle should come unhitched. The vacuum pump will continue to run from power being provided by the Tahoe's battery. That is the only time there is any power drain on the towed vehicle's battery.

When researching the other brake systems, my next closest system I was considering was the M&G design. There were a couple of things there I did not care for. The M&G is basically a hydralic cylinder extension to the vehicles master cylinder. It is fabricated from aluminum and has a steel piston return spring. I asked about the material specifications of the metals used and never got an answer.
Having spent the last 37 years working with US Navy aircraft as an engineer and manager, I know first hand the problems with disimilar metals. I wanted to stay away from that design. Another concern was the actual tapping into the coaches air brake system and braking into the Tahoe's hydraulic brake system in not knowing what it would do to the overall balance of the existing brake systems.

I talked to several people who use the M&G system and they are very please with it. It may very well be a great system. But, there were a few unknowns that I could not get answers to that persuaded me to stay away from it.

All the other systems seem to be a variation of one or the other.
Most relied on dead pedal braking. Some were too bulky and would be difficult to install or require assembly, disassembly and storage of system components. Then there were some that were just plain poor design.

Maybe I am too critical, but I would rather be over cautious when it comes to my family's safety and the safety of others. As with most things, the designs have a certain margin of safety that will allow most to get away with operating outside the recommended specifications. The safety margin varies and failure is often unpredictable or sometimes ignored by the consumer.

Again, your CRV is likely different in its brake system design and your vehicle may be better suited with another system. Only you can determine that and what you feel safe with using. I can only relate to my own application and desires. Good luck.

Jim Hughes

Jacksonville, FL
2000 Allure #30511

Re: Brake Buddy

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 3952
David,

Are you sure you were not a used car salesman in an earlier life?

Dick May

2002 Intrigue, #11438
Dick May
2002 Intrigue, #11438, towing a
2014 Jeep Gr Cherokee ecoDiesel

Re: Brake Buddy

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 3953
Thanks, Jim. I am not nearly as technically minded as you and really do not know what the braking system is in my CRV. I will read and ask about that. However, I have always been uneasy about cutting into any lines nor do I have the ability to install such a system. I think I will go with the Brake Buddy but there is no rush. I guess what you relate below about tech details and talking with designers is what you also did at the CC rally...Wish I had the knowledge! If you read my email sent to the group today about the Battery Disconnect switches I would welcome your reviews. The man who owns the business where I park my Allure was the one who really looked at the wires (cables) and questioned how the disconnect switch could not disconnect the loads. Perhaps he and I are overlooking something but the battery loss has been constant and large.
It has warmed up here into the 20's and 30's! But more snow is predicted for this weekend...Have a good weekend. Mike.
On Fri, 31 Jan 2003 12:23:20 -0000 "Jim Hughes kc4fws@...>" kc4fws@...> writes:

Re: Brake Buddy

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 3973
I use the Brake Buddy and have been very pleased with it. "Everybody" said that with the weight of the coach and the small car, I would not even know the car was there. I was really surprised and very pleased at the ease of stopping with the BB. Not to mention the legal aspect!
From the time I got my car (1999 Alero) I have had a problem with the battery draining even when pulling fuses as required. This was a problem not related to the BB. A while back, the BB plug melted. When I contacted BB, they sent me a new plug and a new 12 v. receptacle to hard-wire directly to the battery. At the same time that I did this, I put a battery disconnect at the battery. Now, rather than pulling fuses, I just lift the hood and pull the handle on the disconnect. No current is used except for the BB and I no longer have a problem with the battery draining.
I do need to contact the nice people at BB. Recently the little antenna broke off the alert transmitter. They sent me a new one, but it does not work. These people have been so helpful. I bought my BB from a friend, but the company has still been most supportive. They sent the plugs and wiring at no charge as well as the new alert transmitter.

Ree

Full-timin' in a 2003 Allure #30852
Currently at www.eldoradoranch.com on the Baja near www.sanfelipe.com.mx

Jurhee Ivy
ICQ#: 1741223

More ways to contact me: http://wwp.icq.com/1741223