Caravan breakaway system
Submitted: Saturday, Jul 16, 2011 at 17:59
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pop2jocem
Hi Guys,
If I may I would like to tap the considerable knowledge base of the
forum once again.
OK question..........I have a breakaway system on my van that has it's own 12v 7 amphr battery which is now dead. Can anyone see any reason why I could not just hook up the two 12v 105 AHr deep cycle house batteries (in parallel of course)to power the electric brakes in the unfortunate event that the van decides to try and go it's own way? The old 12v 7AHr battery was not even hooked up to the Smart Charger and relied on me remembering to charge it now and then whereas the two 105 AHr jobbies are, and both are charged from the vehicle when travelling.
In practical terms I don't see a problem but it occured to me that there may be some obscure legal requirement for an independent battery to be used.
Thanks in advance for any input
Cheers Pop
Reply By: gottabjoaken - Saturday, Jul 16, 2011 at 19:06
Saturday, Jul 16, 2011 at 19:06
Yes, you certainly can use the house batteries to power the BrakeSafe unit.
Just be aware though, that if "someone" pulls the safety plug, without you knowing it, then it could kill your house batteries.
A new separate battery would be cheaper. Just connect the house battery to the trickle charge connection of the BrakeSafe unit, so it doesn't go flat, but put a switch (or plug) in the link if your van sits idle for long periods.
Ken
AnswerID:
460108
Reply By: Motherhen - Saturday, Jul 16, 2011 at 20:04
Saturday, Jul 16, 2011 at 20:04
Hi Pop
Many of the caravans with
solar power like ours use the house batteries, which are constantly monitored. The scenario of accidental pulling of the pin can happen and had us confused at the rapid power draw for a while. Another time the pin came out and was destroyed while travelling, so it was panic following wires to disconnect before the batteries were flattened. We need to have a kill switch in case this happens again.
Those with their own separate batteries are required to have them being charged from the tow vehicle and it sounds like yours was not.
Motherhen
AnswerID:
460115
Reply By: pop2jocem - Saturday, Jul 16, 2011 at 20:33
Saturday, Jul 16, 2011 at 20:33
Thanks for the replies guys. Yeah I thought about the possibility of the system being accidentally activated. I guess if I was to take off with the caravan brakes applied hopefully it would be noticeable before I burnt out the linings. In the case of being stationary for an extended period with the brakes applied and draining the batteries a switch or plug would isolate the brakes from the batteries but if I forgot to switch it back on when hitting the road again I would not have the protection of the system in case of a mishap. This would be OK as long as I had a procedure in place to remind me to make sure I re-activated it. Maybe just the action of connecting the lanyard should suffice.
Once again thank you for your advice.
Cheers Pop
AnswerID:
460119
Follow Up By: snoopyone - Saturday, Jul 16, 2011 at 20:52
Saturday, Jul 16, 2011 at 20:52
If the brakes are adjusted correctly you probably wont go anywhere. It is designed to hold the brakes on HARD for at least 15mins.
The installation of a Breaksafe 5000 or 6000 which has a trickle charger built in would be the way to go.
It then should have a wire to connect it to the car on Pin 2 of your connectiing plug and will be charged while you travel.
Sounds like yours was bit like my Roadstar which had a battery under the fridge and nothing to charge it.
To ensure the system works correctly the lanyard should be connected to a separate fixing point on the CAR NOT THE TOWBAR.
Towbars have come off cars and so the breaksafe wouldnt work.
FollowupID:
733727
Reply By: Mark C - Sunday, Jul 17, 2011 at 17:56
Sunday, Jul 17, 2011 at 17:56
One way to go would be to connect to the house batteries using a low voltage cut out from Jaycar would cut charge off at 11.5v.
Cheers
AnswerID:
460208
Reply By: Member - Vince M (NSW) - Sunday, Jul 17, 2011 at 19:07
Sunday, Jul 17, 2011 at 19:07
I would
check your breaking system as it should charge when its hooked up & not up to you to charge
Electric breakaways are often not wired the way most vehicle are
the std electric brake wire from car only runs the solenoids in the trailer unit & the power wire from car powers the brakes & charging etc
AnswerID:
460231