Brake buddy/ brake lights.

jjrbus · May 19, 2007, 03:08:49 PM

I have a 79 MCI5C with 24V lights I have made an adaptor with relays to use the 12 volt bulbs in the toad. I also bought the doohickey with the diodes in it to prevent back flow of voltage into the toad. I have been using this setup for 7 years with no problem.
I just purchased a Brake Buddy. When it applies the brakes the toad brake lights will come on. But they will already be on because the bus brakes are applied. Can anyone see a problem with this?
I thought of disconnecting the bus to toad brake lights. But the Brake Buddy does not always apply the brakes when the bus brakes are applied.

bobofthenorth · May 19, 2007, 03:50:37 PM

Does your adapter use 12V from the towed or do you supply the 12V from the coach?

gumpy · May 19, 2007, 04:30:57 PM

If you used diodes which prevent backfeeding both the toad from the coach (above the tail lights) and the coach from the toad, there should be no problem.

There are some photos of the type of diodes I'm talking about here: http://www.gumpydog.com/bus/Toad/Taillight_Wiring/taillight_wiring.htm

They're about $10 each, if I recall correctly. Basically they prevent the bus from feeding anything in the toad EXCEPT the tail lights, and prevents the toad from feeding to the bus.

The only potential problem I see is maybe your toad battery being drained some by the brake buddy since that will be using toad battery to run lights. You could remedy this with a charging wire through your harness, but I doubt it will ever be a problem for you since it's only brake lights controlled by the brake buddy, not continuous tail lights, which should be powered by the coach.

craig

jjrbus · May 19, 2007, 06:09:19 PM

The 12 volt for the tail lights is provided by the coach.
The diodes I am not sure on. I bought a commercial towing adaptor which I hooked into the tail lights, it was a small black box with a schematic on it and some wires sticking out. I wired it in according to directions. Its purpose is to keep bus current from back feeding into toad, but I have no idea if it will prevent van from feeding into bus.
The Brake Buddy does draw power from the toad. According to what I have read it does not cause a problem if you start toad and charge battery each day.

gumpy · May 20, 2007, 09:07:16 AM

With an ohm meter, you can probably check to see if your black box works both ways. You might have to unwire it, but maybe not. Just check for continuity between the output and the two inputs. Then switch the probes and check again.

Jerry32 · May 20, 2007, 09:21:54 AM

I had this too and ended up just pulling the fuse to the brake lights on the toad. or disconnect the bat. Jerry

jjrbus · May 20, 2007, 02:08:03 PM

Thanks I appreciate the input. Checking the diodes will be a several hour job, by the time I get to where they are mounted. Removing the fuse looks like the KISS fix for now. (Why didn't I think of that?)

jjrbus · May 21, 2007, 05:47:00 AM

I'm electrically challenged but had a thought. To test diodes, with toad unhooked from bus. I can apply brakes and check to see if I have votage at towing connector on front of toad. Any flaws with this idea?

gumpy · May 21, 2007, 05:52:12 AM

Sounds like the easiest approach to me.

See, you're not as challenged as you think

jjrbus · June 24, 2007, 08:00:41 PM

Pull the fuse, no brainer, bullet proof fix, why did I not think of that.
I depart Arcadia and get to Cape Coral, head to my pre selected spot in the park. People run out and stop me. electric is out gotta go to different sight.
I've got the driveway blocked, need to unhook toad, move bus and do it quick. I unhook, move bus to new site, go back unhook Brake Buddy, try to move van, will not come out of park? Ok I really do not need this. I'm trying to do this fast as I am blocking the driveway, so I am going to wait to put brake lite fuse back in.
The brake interlock for the gearshift is on the brake circuit, I'm not going anyplace till I replace the fuse!
Learn something new everyday.

gumpy · June 25, 2007, 05:52:52 AM

Please tell me you didn't pull your toad all that way with the tranny in park??

I assume you pulled the fuse AFTER it was in neutral and hooked to the bus, and when you unhooked, you put it in park to unhook.

jjrbus · June 25, 2007, 04:34:36 PM

Of the few mistakes I have not made, like driving down the road with the awning out. I have not pulled the toad in park,
yet!!!! So your assumption is right.

DrivingMissLazy · June 25, 2007, 05:53:29 PM

I tried one time. Did not get very far. Raised a big cloud of dust and lots of others waving their arms. Fortunately it was on a gravel drive and did not do any damage to the toad.
Richard

Quote from: jjrbus on June 25, 2007, 04:34:36 PM
Of the few mistakes I have not made, like driving down the road with the awning out. I have not pulled the toad in park,
yet!!!! So your assumption is right.

Dallas · June 26, 2007, 02:40:13 AM

Just to relate a story about toads....

A few weeks ago the CG we are at was pretty full and the only 50a hookup was next to us.

An older couple, (Maybe late 60's early 70's) pulled in in a 40' Dutch Star with the 330 Cat engine and an H3 Hummer for a toad. The spot next to us has a mud hole where the motor homes have cut the corner and missed the asphalt with their drive tires. This hole is nearly bottomless as far as I can tell.... Craig Kerrs KIA toad just about disappeared into it.

Anyhow, the Dutchstar owner spent a couple of nights here and went siteseeing during the day. The night before they pulled out, they hooked the H3 back up and put all their toys away to be ready for an early morning start.

The next morning they got up, had breakfast, put out the garbage and fired up the engine for about 30 seconds before trying to pull out. When the owner put the coach in gear, it crept forward about 3" and stopped. The guy gave it more throttle and still nothing happened. I guess he figured he was stuck in the mud hole because he put the coach in reverse to try pushing the H3 backwards. Nothing happened. More throttle, still nothing. Even more throttle still nothing.
The next thing I knew, he put the coach in forward, laid on the throttle, and hit the brakes as he let off. Then he put it in Reverse and romped on the throttle HARD! Big mistake.
It seems the Hummer was still in Park and the big tires were buried in the mud.
I have to hand it to the Blue Ox tow bar... it didn't give! At least until it had broken loose from the hitch and embedded itself through the plastic bumper into the engine compartment of the M/H. The Hummer didn't escape either, The M/H backed up into it and removed the hood, foglights and fenders back to about where the vents in the hood were.
I suppose I should have gone out to help, but my mouth was both slack and agape at what carnage the driver had caused. Besides, I was laughing too hard.
From what the wrecker drivers and some other people said, it looks like there was more than $20,000 in damages to both vehicles.

Moral of the story.... H3's have darn strong transmissions and big tires don't roll well when stuck in the mud!

Dallas

Edit:
I forgot to mention the motorcycle carrier with motorcycle that was mounted above the bumper of the M/H. Thanks to Cat for pointing out my neglect!

DF

GO BUSSING!

jjrbus · June 26, 2007, 08:01:50 AM

Dallas you get to have all the fun!!!
I have a Blue Ox tow bar, it is a very substantial piece of equipment. I am surprised he could generate enough force to brake one.