BRAKE AWAY CABLE

Dougwe · Chief one feather

BRAKE AWAY CABLE

Snail · Senior Member

Hi Chief,

if you pull the cable out at the caravan end the brake lights may come on and say on

snail

Chief, I mis read your post, I see what you are getting at. snail

-- Edited by Snail on Friday 3rd of April 2015 07:15:31 AM

Glenelg · Guru

Hi Doug . I leave the breakaway locked to hitch when on the road, when parked up disconnect from ute not the 5th wheeler .

Brenda and Alan · Guru

Dougwe pulling the cable out of the caravan end will not work the brake lights but will apply the van brakes and flatten the breakaway battery very quickly. If left like this it will rapidly destroy the batteries capacity. Could you not cnnect to car end via a small shackle or snap clip thus making disconnecting easier.

Alan

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Thanks so far. I only noticed the other day when I pulled the cable out of the CV, the brake lights were on and brakes applied. Once I connected back all came good.

I have had a brake problem I was actually unaware of due to obviously having good brakes on the Collie. Things are all different now. I was puling the cable out of the van all the time when stationary for any length of time but never noticed the lights on. May have been contributing to why there was always power being used even when I had nothing on (lights etc that is)

I will say here that I never got a good hand over at delivery of the van and never towed anything so big before so I am learning all the time, as we all do anyway.

Yes a shackle has come to mind Alan. The people that worked on the van last week mentioned I should be connecting the cable to the car not tow bar but everyone I have seen has it connected to the tow bar somewhere.

iana · Guru

Its my understanding that the breakaway cable should be attached to the towbar but not to any part that can come adrift, i.e. that is held on by a pin, such as the removable tongue. My preference would be to wrap it around the tube going across the back of the vehicle forming the towbar, and bring it back on itself using a good quality carabineer hook. That what I advise at work, but the guys usually hook it up any which way.
The unit we have on our trailer has its own battery, but I see no reason why you couldn't use the vans house batteries, be the same thing. But the battery/s should be checked for charge before you drive off towing, as part of your pre start check.

Olley46 · Guru

Brenda and Alan wrote:
Dougwe pulling the cable out of the caravan end will not work the brake lights but will apply the van brakes and flatten the breakaway battery very quickly. If left like this it will rapidly destroy the batteries capacity. Could you not cnnect to car end via a small shackle or snap clip thus making disconnecting easier.
Alan

Hi Alan

Alan by pulling the cable out of the caravan end (DOES) make your brake lights come on and applies your van breaks at the same time ,That is if your breakaway battery is working, Dougwe the cable should be connected to a bracket on the tow vehicle (NOT) the tow bar,if you had a misshap and the tow bar happen to break off the tow vehicle the cable would not engage the van breaks, being connected to the tow vehicle would work the breakaway breaks.

Lance C

-- Edited by Olley46 on Friday 3rd of April 2015 10:20:09 AM

deverall11 · Guru

Brenda and Alan wrote:
Dougwe pulling the cable out of the caravan end will not work the brake lights but will apply the van brakes and flatten the breakaway battery very quickly. If left like this it will rapidly destroy the batteries capacity. Could you not cnnect to car end via a small shackle or snap clip thus making disconnecting easier.
Alan

That's what the breakaway system is designed to do. When the pin comes out the brakes are applied, whether or not the van is moving. The system does not recognised the difference between being parked or having a mishap. Pin is out therefore apply the brakes.

Larry

TAJ · Senior Member

DOUG always put my wriggly thing on the towbar where the

shackles fit not many solid places on the vehicle

TAJ

KFT · Guru

I always wrap mine around the bar itself and secure it with a small shackle. That way if the hitch comes apart the breakaway will pull out of the van switch and on go the brakes.

mine too is just a small stainless steel cable.

frank

iana · Guru

TAJ because tow bars are usually painted black, if it is a hot sunny day the tow bar can get very hot. Your wriggly thing may get badly burnt.
KFT if you can wrap yours around the tow bar and secure it you should be very proud of your self! smile yawn

ken thomas · Guru

Hello doug
The spiral cables are available at caravan joints or online
Ken

Brenda and Alan · Guru

Olley46 you are quite correct the brake light circuit is activated at the same time my apologies. Be hard to see though for the smoke pouring of 4 tyres with 12v applied direct to each brake.

Alan

shekon · Guru

furious Dougwe, as stated in previous posts, I am in a silly mood today, so here are my thoughts. furious

I have a spiral or curly breakaway cable, and I have to disconnect it from Seedling and leave it attached to Miss Daisy, in order for me to drive Seedling. Of course not having a caravan I really don't know the answer.

OOOPPPPPSSSSS off topic again. Sorry Doug can't follow directions either. biggrin biggrin

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Due to me being the original poster and question asker I have no problem with anyone going

I'm actually surprised that the master of "off topic" (KFT) has not done so before you Sharon biggrin

Now, I will have another look at the "curly" cable as I think it will do the job at hand well and easier. I also understand better how it all works now, thanks to great people on this forum. Just surprised it wasn't applying brakes until now but then again it also shows the brakes were not at their best then.

Phil C · Guru

I drilled a small hole on the side of the tow hitch receptacle, put a ring in the hole and that attaches the wiggly blue thing. Pulling out the tongue will kill the break away battery quick smart (I think they are only good for 15 mins??).

BTW I'm not aware that there is an independent charging circuit or a circuit on the van or when towing so I have bought a small charger and its on 24/7. Last time I went bush I tested the brake away and had zippo effort, not such a great thing if it all gets nasty.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe the battery is charged even when connected to the tug, I do hope that's wrong as it's the only way they get a charge.

Cheers, now it's back to the popcorn.

TAJ · Senior Member

iana wrote:
TAJ because tow bars are usually painted black, if it is a hot sunny day the tow bar can get very hot. Your wriggly thing may get badly burnt.
KFT if you can wrap yours around the tow bar and secure it you should be very proud of your self!

iana took awhile to get it good sense of humour

off topic TAJ

Olley46 · Guru

Brenda and Alan wrote:
Olley46 you are quite correct the brake light circuit is activated at the same time my apologies. Be hard to see though for the smoke pouring of 4 tyres with 12v applied direct to each brake.
Alan

Now that would be interesting to know ,what will the van brakes do if it does come from together, will they lock up ? Will they just come to a normal stop? I think if they lock up you could end up with 4 tyres with big flat spots, I know what a truck dog trailer does when it blows an air hose at 100KMH.

Lance C

Cupie · Guru

Phil C wrote:
I drilled a small hole on the side of the tow hitch receptacle, put a ring in the hole and that attaches the wiggly blue thing. Pulling out the tongue will kill the break away battery quick smart (I think they are only good for 15 mins??).

BTW I'm not aware that there is an independent charging circuit or a circuit on the van or when towing so I have bought a small charger and its on 24/7. Last time I went bush I tested the brake away and had zippo effort, not such a great thing if it all gets nasty.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe the battery is charged even when connected to the tug, I do hope that's wrong as it's the only way they get a charge.

Cheers, now it's back to the popcorn.

Just checked my wiring diagram. (As Jayco couldn't provide me with a wiring diagram, I checked mine out & drew up my own .. see attached oops. wouldn't load 1MB bmp file it seems)

My break free battery is charged via pin 2 (black) accessory power lead when driving.

ps. I attach my break free/safe cable to a large anchor (Tow?) point on the back of the Patrol, using a spare D shackle. I only pull the plug out of the van switching unit to test the system every couple of months or so. I give it a squirt of WD40 too as water tends to get in & rust out the metal contacts & springs. Had to twice replace the switch over a period of 15 years.

-- Edited by Cupie on Saturday 4th of April 2015 12:24:09 AM

-- Edited by Cupie on Saturday 4th of April 2015 10:08:01 AM

littledick · Senior Member

Olley46 wrote:
Brenda and Alan wrote:
Dougwe pulling the cable out of the caravan end will not work the brake lights but will apply the van brakes and flatten the breakaway battery very quickly. If left like this it will rapidly destroy the batteries capacity. Could you not cnnect to car end via a small shackle or snap clip thus making disconnecting easier.
Alan
Hi Alan
Alan by pulling the cable out of the caravan end (DOES) make your brake lights come on and applies your van breaks at the same time ,That is if your breakaway battery is working, Dougwe the cable should be connected to a bracket on the tow vehicle (NOT) the tow bar,if you had a misshap and the tow bar happen to break off the tow vehicle the cable would not engage the van breaks, being connected to the tow vehicle would work the breakaway breaks.
Lance C

--
Absolutely correct. The van brakes will stay on for approx 15min as I have been advised. And the cable NOT attached to any part of the towbar.
Having a Pajero, I attached a cord to run under the spare wheel, the breakaway cable attached to that.
Dick.

-- Edited by littledick on Saturday 4th of April 2015 09:19:25 AM

Phil C · Guru

Cupie wrote:
Phil C wrote:
I drilled a small hole on the side of the tow hitch receptacle, put a ring in the hole and that attaches the wiggly blue thing. Pulling out the tongue will kill the break away battery quick smart (I think they are only good for 15 mins??).

BTW I'm not aware that there is an independent charging circuit or a circuit on the van or when towing so I have bought a small charger and its on 24/7. Last time I went bush I tested the brake away and had zippo effort, not such a great thing if it all gets nasty.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe the battery is charged even when connected to the tug, I do hope that's wrong as it's the only way they get a charge.

Cheers, now it's back to the popcorn.
Just checked my wiring diagram. (As Jayco couldn't provide me with a wiring diagram, I checked mine out & drew up my own .. see attached oops. wouldn't load 1MB bmp file it seems)

My break free battery is charged via pin 2 (black) accessory power lead when driving.

ps. I attach my break free/safe cable to a large anchor (Tow?) point on the back of the Patrol, using a spare D shackle. I only pull the plug out of the van switching unit to test the system every couple of months or so. I give it a squirt of WD40 too as water tends to get in & rust out the metal contacts & springs. Had to twice replace the switch over a period of 15 years.

-- Edited by Cupie on Saturday 4th of April 2015 12:24:09 AM

-- Edited by Cupie on Saturday 4th of April 2015 10:08:01 AM

Cheers Cupie, I had a suspicion that was the case. As I said I keep my battery on charge 24/7 ready for my next trip, would hate to think what would happen if I got 100 yards down track and all disconected with a dead flat battery.

Hope ps you are well mate.

Cupie · Guru

Phil C wrote:
Cupie wrote:
Phil C wrote:
I drilled a small hole on the side of the tow hitch receptacle, put a ring in the hole and that attaches the wiggly blue thing. Pulling out the tongue will kill the break away battery quick smart (I think they are only good for 15 mins??).

BTW I'm not aware that there is an independent charging circuit or a circuit on the van or when towing so I have bought a small charger and its on 24/7. Last time I went bush I tested the brake away and had zippo effort, not such a great thing if it all gets nasty.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe the battery is charged even when connected to the tug, I do hope that's wrong as it's the only way they get a charge.

Cheers, now it's back to the popcorn.
Just checked my wiring diagram. (As Jayco couldn't provide me with a wiring diagram, I traced mine out & drew up my own .. see attached oops. wouldn't load 1MB bmp file it seems)

My break free battery is charged via pin 2 (black) accessory power lead when driving.

ps. I attach my break free/safe cable to a large anchor (Tow?) point on the back of the Patrol, using a spare D shackle. I only pull the plug out of the van switching unit to test the system every couple of months or so. I give it a squirt of WD40 too as water tends to get in & rust out the metal contacts & springs. Had to twice replace the switch over a period of 15 years.

-- Edited by Cupie on Saturday 4th of April 2015 12:24:09 AM

-- Edited by Cupie on Saturday 4th of April 2015 10:08:01 AM
Cheers Cupie, I had a suspicion that was the case. As I said I keep my battery on charge 24/7 ready for my next trip, would hate to think what would happen if I got 100 yards down track and all disconected with a dead flat battery.
Hope ps you are well mate.

I should probably follow your lead & fit one of those small solar smart chargers & float mine too. I currently just give it a charge in the week before I set out on a trip. Last battery 'lasted' for around 10 years, but I suspect that inj the end its capacity was far less than what is necessary for 15 min operation.

I too have had a recharge & all bodily functions OK, or as OK as you could expect from an ageing unit.

keep laughing ... G

-- Edited by Cupie on Saturday 4th of April 2015 10:49:00 AM

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Mmmmm, so the moral of the story is,

Leave the brake away cable connected to the CV at all times.

Phil C · Guru

Dougwe wrote:
Mmmmm, so the moral of the story is,

Leave the brake away cable connected to the CV at all times.

Yep, and find something to keep the battery charged if you are sitting still for a while. The solar idea is perfect as long as you have it through a solar regulator as it may discharge the battery overnight. I use a ctek 5 amp charger, it's the 5 step job that is meant to condition the battery as well as keep it in tip top condition.

Cheers all

-- Edited by Phil C on Saturday 4th of April 2015 02:39:24 PM

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Thanks Phil. I now know why I call you a mate, mate.

I have mine connected to the batteries in the van and they are always getting charged by solar. If the van is not being actually used like as we speak due to house sitting, they are still charging away as needed and I check every day. All good mate.

Olley46 · Guru

Here is a question ,what do you do if some smart a$& flogs your cable and plug? This could happen ,haven't herd of it but what if, I carry a spare from an old buggered one. This could cause a problem.

lance C

Olley46 · Guru

Cupie your caravan is the same as mine when you plug the van into the tug a light on the breaksafe box comes on to indercate it is charging,when it is unpluged you can push a button on the breaksafe box to show what charge is in your breaksafe battery,may be you already know this.

Lance C

patrolst · Senior Member

Olley46 wrote:
Here is a question ,what do you do if some smart a$& flogs your cable and plug? This could happen ,haven't herd of it but what if, I carry a spare from an old buggered one. This could cause a problem.
lance C

Lock the cable to the safety chain though the loop on the breaker way lead.

This would prevent opportumists from removing it.

Cupie · Guru

patrolst wrote:
Olley46 wrote:
Here is a question ,what do you do if some smart a$& flogs your cable and plug? This could happen ,haven't herd of it but what if, I carry a spare from an old buggered one. This could cause a problem.
lance C
Lock the cable to the safety chain though the loop on the breaker way lead.
This would prevent opportumists from removing it.

That's what I do.............. As well I have bath plug chain on my WDH spring bar pins to stop them being pinched.

................................................

LanceC Unfortunately my BS unit is located under the lounge seat & not easily seen but I do use the button to check its operation & state of charge. Was unaware of the charging indicator light. Thanks, I will check it out.

...........................................

Delta18 · Guru

Any tow vehicles registered in NSW must by law have an indicator visible to the driver at all times to show that the Breakaway Battery is charged and functional.

I have run a length of Tie Wire attached to the chassis by my spare wheel, through a convenient hole in a panel to an easily reached spot by the towbar. A loop is formed in the rear end of the wire and to this I attach my curly cable for the breakaway pin.

The Breakaway manufacturers recommend replacing the Switch every 4 - 5 years as they DO corrode inside and will become useless.

Cheers Neil