Blue Ox BX88144 - Manual (Page 4)

© 2005, 06, 11 Blue Ox Division, Automatic Equipment Mfg. Co. • One Mill Road, Industrial Park
Pender, Nebraska 68047 • Phone 402-385-3051 • Fax 402-385-3360 • www.blueox.com
TM
c. Connect a wire from the cold side of the RV’s brake light switch to upper left terminal of the switch.
d. Connect a wire from a constant 12 VDC power source (generally from the fuse panel) to the upper right terminal of
the switch.
e. Connect the center terminal of the RV dash switch to a wire that runs to the RV wire receptacle on an unused pin,
across the tow bar to the activation signal wire of the solenoid on the Vac Brake®.
TESTING THE VAC BRAKE® WITH THE RV
THE VACUUM HOSE MUST BE CONNECTED BETWEEN THE VEHICLES TO TEST THE SYSTEM. CONNECT THE ELECTRICAL WIRE
HARNESS AND THE VACUUM HOSE ACROSS THE TOW BAR.
a. The RV dash remote control switch is to be fl ipped ON during this test (fl ipped off center, and remains in place when you remove your fi nger). With
the RV running, depress the brake pedal, noticing that the dash switch should light up as the brake is applied, and go off slightly after releasing the
pedal.
b. Repeat the test above with the switch fl ipped OFF (fl ipped center, and remains in center place when you remove your fi nger). The dash switch
should not light up, nor should the Vac Brake® apply.
c. The third test is to press the paddle of the switch to the momentary position. The switch should light up, as well as the brakes of the toad apply.
The light should go out and the Vac Brake® should disengage after releasing the switch.
d. Pull the breakaway pin and check to see that the Vac Brake® activates, and then releases as you re-insert the pin in the breakaway switch. The
RV dash switch should also light to indicate braking in the toad.
THIS SYSTEM PROVIDES FULL DRIVER FEEDBACK AND CONTROL
WARNING: You are responsible for monitoring the “FEEDBACK LIGHT” on the RV dash switch. If the switch light does not “LIGHT” during
normal application of the brake in the RV, there is a problem that you MUST investigate! If the switch light does not “GO OFF” during release
of the RV brake, there is a problem that you MUST investigate! (a slight delay as the pedal releases is normal for the operation of this system,
this is just the regulated release speed as the pedal returns to full released position)
If the light comes “ON” by itself you must “STOP” and investigate the cause, it may be that the “BREAKAWAY PIN” HAS PULLED DUE TO A
TOW COMPONENT FAILURE.
TROUBLE SHOOTING
If the Vac Brake® worked properly during the tests of the TOAD alone and not with the RV, double-check your vacuum source and electrical
connections making sure the harness terminals align properly between vehicles. Make sure vacuum check valves are allowing the vacuum to
fl ow in the correct direction.
System will not activate from RV. Check the “ground” between vehicles, (system uses only ½ amp to activate) and the lighting ground between the
vehicles may not be good enough for the Vac Brake® system to get ground. A better ground from the Vac Brake® solenoid may be needed (closer to the
lighting ground wire between vehicles).
System will not release from RV. Check for a “12VDC backfeed” to the activation wire on the solenoid. Isolate and add diode or change wiring to
eliminate the “12VDC backfeed” condition. Pulling apart the wire harness between the vehicles should release the Vac Brake®. Also check to be sure
the “breakaway” switch is not triggering the system.
Feedback light on RV dash does not light. Make sure all connections between vehicles are correctly made between corresponding terminals at the
wiring plugs on both vehicles. Test for power feed along all wiring between vehicles.
System will not pull pedal and stop satisfactorily. Check vacuum level in system during operation with a vacuum gage (18”-20”vacuum needed
to work). Check for vacuum leaks by shutting down engine with gage on and see if vacuum holds. Levering the cable attachment down the pedal
can compensate for lower vacuum level and make stopping force “STRONGER”. Check to be sure there are no ”SHARP” turns on the cable housing
between the pedal and device. NOTE: this system can only deliver braking as good as is provided by the vehicle, if fl uids in brake system have not been
serviced every two years as recommended, it may effect fi nal performance. Cable must slide freely in housing, check to be sure there are no kinks by
sliding cable back and forth to feel for internal drag.
Brake system adjustments after brake service. None should be required unless the driver wants to change performance from the original
installation. You can install new brakes on your vehicle immediately after this system is installed, and the performance will not be effected.
Page 4 of 10 292-5809 Rev. C 2/21/11