Electric Breaks - Just don't feel they're right..

R

Robert.Smith

Member
Jan 7, 2013
78
13
8
Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
Hi Guys,

We've just come back from our second trip in our Expanda and I'm just not confident I've got the breaks right and I was hoping for some advice. Apologies for the lengthy story!

I have a RedArc controller towing a 17.56-2. Previously we had a Swan with the same brake controller. I didn't have any issues with the old setup, but I believe this is because the van was so light, there wasn't a need for a lot of brakes, so whenever I could feel the van pull, I dropped them right down.

On our first trip in the Expanda, I gradually increased the breaking force ach time we stopped until I could feel the van pulling... I got to the maximum setting (9) and didn't feel anything... after approx 30 mins of driving, I started to feel it. The van started to pull a bit, and I began to buck them off. Before the end of our hour long trip, it was as though the brakes warmed up, and I started to get a lot of locking up in the van (Needless to say that wasn't a nice feeling!!). On our return I started with a much lower setting, but again began to get lock up. By the end, I think I had it about right with a setting of 3 to 4.

On this trip, I still managed to get a little lock up on a similar setting so I feel I am getting closer, but I did start to hear a buzz when braking - When we left the caravan park we were next to a fence and it was as though there was an echo that allowed me to hear it.

So has anyone else either A) had the locking up before and managed to remove it when they found the right settings, and B) Had the Buzz noise from the van when breaking? I am hoping this is all normal, but I don't know anyone else with a Redarc controller, or this problem.

Any help or advice would be great as it’s just taking the edge off my confidence towing at speed, and it's taking a lot of my attention when towing.

Cheers,

Rob
 
bully66672

bully66672

Member
Jun 30, 2011
98
13
8
Melbourne
Doesn't sound right.
maybe check all connections are clean and well connected.
my brothers van brakes were playing up and it turned out the wire connections under the van at the wheels were loose.


cheers
 
Burnsy

Burnsy

Well-Known Member
Mar 26, 2012
2,663
977
113
Newcastle
Thanks CD, yeah that's right, my connections were not crimped so as mentioned climb under and check them out. Check correct adjustment of brakes at the drum and also make sure you have enough slack on the handbrake cable when handbrake is off. If all is good It might have something to do with brake controller, I do recall some members having trouble with some RedArcs.
 
Hubble80

Hubble80

Well-Known Member
Nov 22, 2012
524
303
63
Moranbah, QLD
There is a recall from Jayco in regards to the brake connections. I have pretty much the same rig as yours and I found if I set mine to any higher than 3 it will just about throw us through the windscreen!

I would set it to half and try driving at about 20km/h (idle along) and push the manual activation button. It should just about lock up the van brakes. I assume you have the remote head RedArc like I do... What is the LED doing when connected and brakes on???
 
Hubble80

Hubble80

Well-Known Member
Nov 22, 2012
524
303
63
Moranbah, QLD
Next time you hook up the van ensure the light is green. Then try to hold your foot on the brake pedal and the light should change colour. While holding your foot on the brake pedal still try adjusting your adjustment knob up and down which should change the light from green/yellow to bright red.

If this isn't happening I reckon your controller will be the issue. The other quick tip is to push the manual override button and get someone to check if your brake lights come on. If you can't get an assistant you should be able to use the manual override button instead of the brake pedal (hope your Prado is Auto??) to start the engine!!!
 
cruza driver

cruza driver

Hercules
Staff member
Nov 9, 2010
6,550
4,447
113
Mighty Victoria
If you have the connected light glowing green and it doesn't change to red as @humbble80 mentioned you may still have a loose connection at the brake light wire which is a trigger wire for the controller to activate the van brakes.
 
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R

Robert.Smith

Member
Jan 7, 2013
78
13
8
Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
Hi Guys,

Jut a quick update. I can confirm that the light is working as described - Green, changing to red when brakes applied, or more orange at the current setting. After a weekend away running at around setting "3" we seemed to have no problems. I still have the "Buzzing Noise" but they appear to work as they should.

I do need to try the starting with the override button held in though.

Thanks for the directions - Hopefully I've now got it on the right setting and no more locking up!

Cheers,
Rob
 
I

icetechaus

Active Member
Nov 21, 2012
142
85
28
The buzzing sound is fairly normal. Electric brakes are controlled using Pulse Width Modulation. Usually between 1000 and 2000 Hz, this is within audible range. The amount of time that the power is applied during each cycle determines how much braking effort is applied.
 
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