MAX BRAKE

BenK wrote:

wittmeba wrote:
I believe this is the one Yellermanx is referring too:

http://direclink.webplus.net/direclink.html

It is really disappointing to see Jordan, BrakeSmart and now MaxBrake dissolve their business.

Thanks for the link...all I knew till this visit has been postings from
others

Am not a fan of overly complex anything, though love them on 'certain'
applications and used to be a designer in many technical fields

Am a KISS fan and was/am an oxymoron in the high tech field (they said,
but always saved the day by tossing un-needed components/sub-systems)

directlink wrote:


Built-In Diagnostics

DirecLink Monitors:

Trailer Connection

Good, but they all do that...or the good ones do too

Vehicle Battery Voltage

Good, but again they all do, unless this one then varies its output
voltage to make for low voltage/over voltage

Brake Controller Ground Connection

They all do this

Brake Controller Power Connection

They all do this

Brake Switch Voltage

All the ones which uses brake pedal switch do this, or do they also
vary their output voltage ?

Blue Wire Voltage Output

Blue Wire Current Output

Most good ones do both the above

Engine RPM

What does this have to do with a trailer brake controller?

Part of my KISS and overly complexity just because it is there and
why not use it...some times (rare) it is a good thing, but most times
just adds over head (bandwidth of op, diagnostics and failure points)

Transmission Temperature (Ford & GM)

Ditto what does this have to do with trailer braking?

It is monitored elsewhere more appropriate and only adds complexity
and failure points. Possible conflicts with the bigger computers
or more important computers

Without a 'good' Program Manager and/or upper management of the
design team...engineers will always over engineer...as it is both fun
and the thing engineers do

Similar to my philosophy against touching my brake's hydraulic system
of the MC PSI sensed...this one taps into the computer system of the TV
So no way would I recommend this one, when there are better (to me)
choices out there.

:R

I think your beef is the price point more so than connecting it to your vehicles computer.

You DO realize that even the P2/P3 controllers ARE connected to the vehicle computer via the BRAKE LIGHT?

Yep, now days the brake light signal that you plug your ready made P2/P3 controller pigtail into is actually being fed DIRECTLY from the body control COMPUTER, not the brake light switch.

Did you know that the P2/P3 controllers do not start out as "proportional"? Yep, they apply a small voltage to the brakes when the brake light turns on. This voltage has NO proportional value at all. That is why you have the "boost" setting so you can fuss around with. Then when the COMPUTER in the P2/P3 is able to DETERMINE the rate of decel then it CALCULATES an amount of voltage needed according to IT'S "tables".

It is more "smoke and mirrors" than actual proportional.

I'M not SCARED of something BETTER than a P2/P3 even if it costs MORE than a P2/P3, heck I even was able to install a Jordan Ultima 2020 and it works perfectly :B

You're welcome.

I agree with the KISS principle too. But in regards to the last item in the list I believe many are buying ScanGage II to provide transmission temp. This is directly related and should be watched when towing. Engine RPM, no. I think most tow vehicles have a tach so this is not necessary. And if you allow your transmission to do its thing, it should not be necessary even without a tach.

Dont understand "Brake Switch Voltage". That should be a constant of 12VDC unless Im missing something. The blue wire voltage and current should vary with adjustment and braking demands.

wittmeba wrote:
I believe this is the one Yellermanx is referring too:

http://direclink.webplus.net/direclink.html

It is really disappointing to see Jordan, BrakeSmart and now MaxBrake dissolve their business.

Thanks for the link...all I knew till this visit has been postings from
others

Am not a fan of overly complex anything, though love them on 'certain'
applications and used to be a designer in many technical fields

Am a KISS fan and was/am an oxymoron in the high tech field (they said,
but always saved the day by tossing un-needed components/sub-systems)

directlink wrote:


Built-In Diagnostics

DirecLink Monitors:

Trailer Connection

Good, but they all do that...or the good ones do too

Vehicle Battery Voltage

Good, but again they all do, unless this one then varies its output
voltage to make for low voltage/over voltage

Brake Controller Ground Connection

They all do this

Brake Controller Power Connection

They all do this

Brake Switch Voltage

All the ones which uses brake pedal switch do this, or do they also
vary their output voltage ?

Blue Wire Voltage Output

Blue Wire Current Output

Most good ones do both the above

Engine RPM

What does this have to do with a trailer brake controller?

Part of my KISS and overly complexity just because it is there and
why not use it...some times (rare) it is a good thing, but most times
just adds over head (bandwidth of op, diagnostics and failure points)

Transmission Temperature (Ford & GM)

Ditto what does this have to do with trailer braking?

It is monitored elsewhere more appropriate and only adds complexity
and failure points. Possible conflicts with the bigger computers
or more important computers

Without a 'good' Program Manager and/or upper management of the
design team...engineers will always over engineer...as it is both fun
and the thing engineers do

Similar to my philosophy against touching my brake's hydraulic system
of the MC PSI sensed...this one taps into the computer system of the TV
So no way would I recommend this one, when there are better (to me)
choices out there.

I believe this is the one Yellermanx is referring too:

http://direclink.webplus.net/direclink.html

It is really disappointing to see Jordan, BrakeSmart and now MaxBrake dissolve their business.

scouser wrote:
Hi,
Well if a Max Brake is not going to be an option I'll do a little more research and see which controller is the more popular one on the forum, I'm sure I have a lot of reading to do. Thank You

There was a thread a while back of a brake controller that used the vehicle computer for braking info. Maybe someone else can remember what brand.

Shame you can't find a Max Brake. Gonna cry if anything ever happens to mine.

Hi,
Well if a Max Brake is not going to be an option I'll do a little more research and see which controller is the more popular one on the forum, I'm sure I have a lot of reading to do. Thank You

BenK wrote:
Checked Cequent family of products and no MaxBrake

Since they also own Tekonsha, wonder why they would have acquired
MaxBrake?

Some corporations will buy a competitor to kill it, but the SEC will
check with a fine tooth comb for violations to the Sherman Antitrust Act

Few will have competing product groups/divisions, but not to say
they don't exist.

Would the OP mind an oblique discussion of the various brands and
their 'sense' mechanism ?

Or continue to look for a MaxBrake controller?

Or both?

Ben, I love your responses!! I worded mine incorrectly. I was trying to allude to the way Cequent seems to sell 2 out of 3 brake controls (3 out of 4?) on the market and new competitors seem to just give up and go away after a few years.

Seems (very scientific, I know) if the brand isn't Cequent, Hayes, Curt, or Hensley.. they just won't be around very long.

OP... sorry for the sidebar.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

Checked Cequent family of products and no MaxBrake

Since they also own Tekonsha, wonder why they would have acquired
MaxBrake?

Some corporations will buy a competitor to kill it, but the SEC will
check with a fine tooth comb for violations to the Sherman Antitrust Act

Few will have competing product groups/divisions, but not to say
they don't exist.

Would the OP mind an oblique discussion of the various brands and
their 'sense' mechanism ?

Or continue to look for a MaxBrake controller?

Or both?

Another one bites the dust? First the Jordan, then the Brake Smart, now the Max Brake? Hmm. sounds like a Cequent conspiracy!

scouser wrote:
Hi Cummins,
Dutch & Di have on their web site they no longer supply Max Brake she also gave me the new Phone # and E-mail address.....but no answer from phone or email? Thanks

I don't like the sound of that!