Balking Brake Buddy

[jeeperdude10]

I set up my Brake Buddy as I always have, and today after installing it...I had to touch the test button several times for the TEST to take place, and when it did....it would not reset itself, unless I unplugged from cigarette liter socket and reinstall-it reset itself then. But once it activated it basically SHUTS DOWN. Any one else have this issue? Guess I need to contact Brake Buddy and check with them. Other than this episode, it has worked great-no issues whatsoever in 9 years.

[jeeperdude10]

I have to agree with low amperage issue.....I 'alligator clamped' the cigarette lighter adapter to the battery (as I had done in the '98 JEEP), and all is well. The Brake Buddy performed as it always had, after activating, it reset as supposed to. Thanks for all the responses...only way to learn things is thru others with same challenges.......

[j-d]

^^^^ Same here.

[klm]

I agree with the posters that suggest installing the bb 12v power kit. Another thing to check is the car battery. My bb was acting up, it turned out the car battery (which started the car ok) was weak, once a new battery was installed no problem with the bb. Now fast forward 7 yrs - my bb classic needed repairs, so I sent it in - I talked to a bb tec - and decided to replace the unit with the newer bb vantage. They offer a great deal, about 1/2 price compared to retail - I am a fulltimer, my bb get a lot of use and a new unit (with a 3 yr warranty) is peace of mind.

[Robocop]

et2 wrote:
Had mine do that this summer. It's not he Brake Buddy. It's the lack of power getting to it. Starting the car got it to set.

X2....

Just had the same thing happen to me for the first time over NYE. I did not start/run my toad for 5 days in very cold temps and when I hooked up to leave, the BB would not set-up. I only had to start the toad for a few minutes to get the BB to set-up with no further issues.

[et2]

Had mine do that this summer. It's not he Brake Buddy. It's the lack of power getting to it. Starting the car got it to set.

[rockhillmanor]

jeeperdude10 wrote:
I wrote Brake Buddy and response was that the newer vehicles do not carry proper amperage...which causes BB to shut down. Requests that I need a 'battery direct kit'...guess I will go back to my alligator clamps that I used on my '98 to keep from having to turn key to accessory. At least now I know...thanks for your opinions-right on track!!!
Thankful that it is not the unit itself.......whew!!

Before you do that plug it in and try ALL your cig lighter outlets.

My SUV has 3 cig lighters and only one would run the Brake Buddy. The other 2 did not. So some cars still have 'one' that is full power.

And I also found out you had to really push it in new openings seem to be tighter/narrower so the tip of the Brake Buddy doesn't make good contact.

[j-d]

A BB tech told me it requires more Amps to operate the control portion of the unit than the compressor itself. If you ask BB, I think they'll send you a kit with Socket, Bracket, Wiring, Fuse with Holder, and Terminals to connect to Battery. They used to send a kit with a cheap plastic socket and those melted at the center terminal. The ones they send now are metal.

[jeeperdude10]

I wrote Brake Buddy and response was that the newer vehicles do not carry proper amperage...which causes BB to shut down. Requests that I need a 'battery direct kit'...guess I will go back to my alligator clamps that I used on my '98 to keep from having to turn key to accessory. At least now I know...thanks for your opinions-right on track!!!
Thankful that it is not the unit itself.......whew!!

[rockhillmanor]

BB had problems with the 12v plug on the units. The earlier ones had 2 metal clips on each side of the plug that came loose and prevented good contact in the cig lighter. Check you plug.

Before The metal clips on mine broke clean off, I had problems with setting up the brake buddy also, I had an RV shop cut the 12v plug off and instaled a better one without those dump metal clips.

[lj2654]

sounds like a low power issue to me.

[j-d]

First, has your power supply to the BB changed? They need an ample wire size and fuse capacity. I don't think they're happy with most vehicles' power outlets, and BB will provide a kit for power direct from toad's battery.

Otherwise, call BB. Might be some troubleshooting they could talk you through. If they ask you to send it in, you may/may not end up with it back. Ours was a "Classic" with separate monitor units. One plugged into the BB with cable, the RV was a one-piece unit that plugged into a 12V outlet. They called and said it needed most of its internal components and offered replacement with the newer BB Vantage Select. It's more sophisticated and can be adjusted from the RV, same familiar installation.