Brake Buddy - bought from ebay, not sure if it is damaged

[JCat]

So I thought I would upgrade to a Brake Buddy system, looks easy to use and a used one is not too expensive.
Went on EBAY, won a Brake Buddy Classic "2 years old", right.
When it arrived the box was beat up, had a hole in it, corner ripped open, other corner crushed, looked like it got abused.
I picked it up and could hear all the internal guts moving around inside the unit.
I called brake buddy to see if all these parts were suppose to be attached to the housing and they said yes.
The seller has not been responsive so I opened a claim with PayPal and ebay to resolve.

Anyway, none of the internal parts appear to be broken, no pieces falling out of the slot, I have not opened it up to check in detail.

I wanted to ask those who own one, should the internal parts be attached or are they free floating ?

[JCat]

UPDATE:
I bought a Brake Buddy Vantage off EBAY and the seller packed it correctly this time. No rattling of any internal parts, everything attached inside.
Plugged it in and works like a charm.

So in the end I got a better unit for the same money, but I was out the packing and the return shipping on the first unit.

Oh well, still chaper than buying a new one.

[John_Joey]

Thanks for the update. Nice when OP's do that.

[JCat]

The final word:

I tried the unit out in the passenger seat of my car and it seemed to work ok, but it rattled like crazy everytime it activated so I sent it back. Better safe than sorry.

I spent $22 to get Fedex to pack it correctly for shipping back seller.
If he had done that before he shipped to me, he would not have gotten it returned.

[JCat]

as usual more good info on this forum

[Rwake901]

This same thing happen to me. I bought mine on Ebay and the box was all beat up when I got it. It was poor packing. After looking at the Brake Buddy, I noticed the bottom was broken so I took it apart and the compressor broke loose from the bottom where it mounts. I called Brake Buddy and they can't send you the parts "THEY" have to fix it. So I sent it to them and they replaced the bottom and the compressor plus found a couple other things wrong which they repaired. I was lucky when I contacted the seller he refunded me for most of the repairs.. But in answer to your question NO it's not supposed to rattle inside...

[John_Joey]

Easiest way to check it is to put it in the passenger seat with the seat as far back as possible. Plug it in and drive around and see if it is working or not. Just be careful that the "foot" part does not mark up anything when it extends out.

[Bumpyroad]

Wrong Lane wrote:


Keep in mind that a Brake Buddy will drain your car battery in four or five hours of towing behind your rig. You will need to run a charge wire from your MH to the toad to keep the battery from discharging.

Fun but dirty job running a wire from front to back but you get to know your MH undercarriage intimately.



Safe Travels

I carried a small jump start battery to plug my brake buddy into. wanted it along anyhow. no extra wire to run, worry about discharging toad, etc.
bumpy

[Gonzo42]

It is absolutely essential that you are plugged into a dedicated 15 amp circuit for your BB power or you WILL burn out your compressor. Don't ask me how I know this.


If you run the start-up procedure the compressor will actuate 5 times. If it will not do all five times and the "check brake buddy" light on your remote lights up, you don't have 15 amps available.

I have a 12 gauge wire pair directly from the battery with a 15A fuse and an aftermarket cigarette lighter socket.

[JCat]

thanks guys

[Wrong_Lane]

Mine make rattling noise, the arm moves and the inertia sensor moves. They are supposed to.

Like said above, plug it in, sit it on the passenger side floor and go for a drive that includes stopping, and slowing. Watch to see if the arm that attaches to the brake peddle moves out then retracts. If it does it is working.

Keep in mind that a Brake Buddy will drain your car battery in four or five hours of towing behind your rig. You will need to run a charge wire from your MH to the toad to keep the battery from discharging.

Fun but dirty job running a wire from front to back but you get to know your MH undercarriage intimately.

Discharge your toad battery just a few times and you will be buying a new one (speaking from experience)

Safe Travels

[rav]

rbrock wrote:
Plug it in set it on passenger floor and take a ride. It will work the same as if was installed.

x2

[sch911]

Biggest issue with used Brake Buddies is the dreaded burned up compressor motor. Get it plugged in and make sure it runs.

[rbrock]

Plug it in set it on passenger floor and take a ride. It will work the same as if was installed.

[Bumpyroad]

I think that mine, which was the original BB, has a moving pendulum to sense braking is going on.
bumpy