"The problem with doing nothing is not knowing when you're finished" - Benjamin Franklin

And they say buy Australian, $226 for what looks like a plastic box with a printed circuit board, outrageous, what's the betting the Chinese could make the same thing and have it on the market for under $10.

If I needed one and there was a choice between Aussie made for $226 or Chinese for $10 I doubt it would be a difficult decision.

If there was a big demand for them I'm sure the Chinese would have it reverse engineered and on the market in a flash.

Baz421 wrote:

---

Olley

If you simply want to see if it's being charged,,,  start the car and put a voltmeter on it. This will tell you if charging system is working, which it seems is what you want to know.

If you want a voltmeter on the battery get one at Jaycar,,, about $20.

Don't know why you need one in the car????

Keep it simple works.  Baz

---

 Simples Baz, NSW road regs require it. If your van is over 2 t tare you must have breakaway brakes fitted and a monitor visible from the driving position to keep an eye on the breakaway systems voltage.

I have one above the brake controller it will buzz if voltage goes over 15v or under 11.8.

 

frank

-- Edited by KFT on Sunday 21st of April 2013 07:01:28 PM

KFT wrote:

---

Baz421 wrote:

---

Olley

If you simply want to see if it's being charged,,,  start the car and put a voltmeter on it. This will tell you if charging system is working, which it seems is what you want to know.

If you want a voltmeter on the battery get one at Jaycar,,, about $20.

Don't know why you need one in the car????

Keep it simple works.  Baz

---

 Simples Baz, NSW road regs require it. If your van is over 2 t tare you must have breakaway brakes fitted and a monitor visible from the driving position to keep an eye on the breakaway systems voltage.

I have one above the brake controller it will buzz if voltage goes over 15v or under 11.8.

 

frank

-- Edited by KFT on Sunday 21st of April 2013 07:01:28 PM

---

 OK that explains it thanks Frank.

why would there be thousands that are illegal?

mine is legal and the breakaway system runs from the house battery. which must be charged from the towing vehicle and in NSW must have a battery monitor visible from the driving position.

It is all on the RMS website if you look under vehicle inspectors bulletins.

Ozjohn is very aware of the rules he might pop in and quote the relevant regs.

frank

KFT.
Answer is response top your request. Lots or reading Mate.

National Requirements Ref: VSB1

15.2 All other trailers that do not exceed 4.5 tonnes ATM

These trailers must be fitted with an efficient brake system that complies with ADR 38/-. Except for over-run brakes, all brakes must be operable from the driver's seat of the towing vehicle.

For trailers up 2 tonnes GTM, an efficient braking system is considered to have brakes operating on the wheels of at least one axle. Over-run brakes may only be used on trailers that do not exceed 2 tonnes GTM.

Every trailer over 2 tonnes GTM must have brakes operating on all wheels. The brake system must cause immediate application of the trailer brakes in the event of the trailer becoming detached from the towing vehicle. Under these circumstances, the brakes must remain applied for at least 15 minutes.

 

NSW Requirement     VSI 22 (Bulletin)

Installation of Equipment
To ensure the safe towing of trailers equipped with electric brakes, it is necessary that:
1. a breakaway switch is fitted to the trailer and its point of attachment is compatible with the
towing vehicle;
2. the trailer is equipped with its own battery (of sufficient capacity to maintain the brakes in the
applied position for at least 15 minutes);
3. the towing vehicle is equipped with an electrical circuit which will automatically maintain
the trailer battery in a fully charged condition and is capable of warning the driver if the
condition of the trailer battery is such that it may not be capable of meeting the above
requirements;
4. earthing or grounding systems for the trailer brake units is specifically and individually
wired (i.e. one earth wire to each brake unit) and not via the trailer suspension
components, wheel bearings or tow couplings;
5. the trailer is fitted with a readily visible label stating that the towing vehicle must be
equipped with a compatible control, charging and warning system.

 

VSI 6 (Bulletin)

 

This bulletin is issued to clarify the minimum requirements and to outline the testing procedures for electric braking

systems fitted to large trailers.

The Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2007 requires that all trailers with a Gross Trailer Mass (GTM)

exceeding 2 tonnes be provided with a braking system which will operate automatically and promptly upon breakaway

of the trailer from its towing vehicle, and that such application should be maintained for at least fifteen minutes.

Such trailers, if fitted with electrically actuated braking systems, must be equipped with a device which applies the

brakes in the event of a breakaway from the towing vehicle and maintains application for at least fifteen minutes. It is

essential therefore, that an energy source, such as a battery, be carried on the trailer and that means be provided to

ensure that the battery is maintained in a fully energised condition. In this regard, it will be satisfactory if any trailermounted

battery is constantly charged by the towing vehicle and a warning device is fitted to warn the driver (from

the normal driving position) if the trailer battery charge falls to such a level as to render the trailer brakes incapable of

meeting the requirements.

Trailers required to be fitted with breakaway systems are not registerable if there is no means for maintaining the

breakaway energy source in a fully-energised condition (for example, if a charging and warning circuit is not fitted). An

acceptable warning circuit must incorporate either a visual or an audible warning device.

The earthing system between the electric brake units and the trailer chassis must be by an earth wire and not via

suspension components or wheel bearings.

In order to vary the trailer braking effect in unison with the towing vehicle, some trailer brake controllers use a

pressure sensing device fitted to the towing vehicles brake system. The controller and its connections should be

examined for any hydraulic leaks. If the vehicle is subject to ADR31/--, Hydraulic Braking Systems in Passenger Cars

or ADR35/--, Commercial Vehicle Brake Systems, installation of the control unit must not change the design of the

towing vehicles braking system. In particular, all the functions of the dual circuit system must be retained.

Whenever a trailer is presented for inspection, the towing vehicle must be equipped with a compatible charging

system which is connected to the trailer and is fully operable. Any vehicle not so equipped must be rejected.

Any trailer equipped with electric brakes, must have a label affixed which states that ... any towing vehicle must be

equipped with an acceptable charging/warning circuit.

NOTE: I have been unable to find any Legislation or Regulation that requires a battery condition monitor.
The only reference is in NSW Vehicle Inspectors Bulletins. (Above).

The following is a response to a question posed to the NSW authorities.

As of 1/11/2012

There is no Legislation or Regulation requiring a breakaway battery monitor to be fitted to the tow vehicle.

It's not included in the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulations 2007 (Reviewed 2012) Ref: Clause 141 nor in schedule 2 of the Regulations clause 137.

It's a requirement for heavy trailers over 4.5 tonne and a PROCEDURAL POLICY for inspectors at the time of registration for vehicles towing light trailers in excess of 2 tonne GTM. 

And then only at time of registration.

If stopped at any other time there is no requirement for a monitor to be operational or even fitted.

However I would think it would be a hell of a lot cheaper and easier to install a visual or audible monitor than to fight the authorities.
Cheers Ozjohn.

OzJohn, many thanks for popping in with that info. I knew you would have it from other post of yours I have seen.

much appreciated

frank