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Anyone install US Gear braking system

Yahoo Message Number: 4649
I just installed the US gear brake system in my toad (1999 Chevy Tahoe 4WD LT) and 2000 Allure. I am looking for someone who has done it themself or can provide a solution to a problem. In the coach, the controller (gain control) taps into the brake switch wiring (wire #52 at steering column connector). As part of the installation US Gear included a diode (one side of a rectifier) to put in the brake switch line. My problem is that the bulb and socket lights I wired in my toad work fine while hooked up to the coach and standing still. However, I have no brake lights on the toad while in motion.
Turn signals, emergency flashers and tail lights all work fine while in motion and standing still.

The diode is supposed to be for blocking a feed back loop to other systems such as cruise control, exhaust brake, etc. according to the written instructions. While I plan to call both US Gear as well as Country Coach in the morning, I thought I would throw the following questions out to the group and see if there are any different suggestions or ideas,
1. What are all the different systems that are controlled by the brake switch? Or, specifically wire #52 from the brake switch?
2. Is there a potential problem with any system if the diode was removed from the circuit and the tap was done direct to the brake light switch?

3. I understand that according to the schematics, there is a turn/brake signal control board somewhere in the coach that can be programed with jumpers for single and dual bulb installations in a toad. Does anyone know where it is located specifically? Country Coach tech said it was either behind the bottom drawer of the night stand or in the engine bay. Not under the night stand and I be darn if I can see it in the engine bay.

4. What kind of performance are you getting with the US Gear braking
system? By performance, I mean do you feel the toad braking, what gain control setting you find best and do you find the indicator lights on the control a good gauge of how much braking you are actually applying?

Thanks

Jim Hughes

Jacksonville, FL
2000 Allure #30511
 

Re: US Gear braking system

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 4656
Jim, I am using this system, Holland Motors did the install... they set the gain at #5. To set and test the system, one guy rode in the car and watched the action of the brake pedal while another guy and I rode in the coach.

You will see the red lights progressively light as you brake harder...

I don't really notice much difference in normal braking, with abs, if you over-brake the toad, the wheels will not lock.
When they did my install, we had to use a drop-down extension to keep the tow bar level, and they did not extend the length of cables that came with the kit. First time I turned, the breakaway cable pulled tight and pulled the vacuum plug, locking the toad brakes. A beeping sound came from the controller, sounds just like the one that smart tire makes when it first comes online. I stopped and found the line had pulled out, but did not notice much difference in how the coach drove, due to toad abs, the wheels do not lock up.
Bill Harris
03 Allure 30912

Quote from: Jim Hughes
I just installed the US gear brake system in my toad.....
4. What kind of performance are you getting with the US Gear

braking