[Break Safe Series 5000]

Hello,

I need some advice. My van is fitted with the Break Safe 5000. Being a good little caravanner I have been working through all the recommended testing and maintenance tasks including those for the Break Safe.

Following the manufacturers instructions I tested the battery - OK - then I disconnected the trailer plugs from the tow vehicle and pulled the breakaway pin from the breakaway switch. I could not hear the brakes activating and the brake lights did not come on. Seems the system is faulty. I went looking for the fuses as it says to ckeck the "internal fuses" in such cases. I did not want to start pulling things apart with the total lack of knowledge that I possess before first finding out what I should pull apart to find these fuses.

I assume the fuses are inside the black Brake Safe box that is screwed to the wall in the van boot. Is that correct? Is there any issues or things I should know about before I get stuck into it? Has anyone else had to change or inspect these fuses?

Any advice will be appreciated.

Regards

Colin

Hi Collin, Just had my Van in to Kedron and found that the breakaway system requires 12 volts to be supplied from the 7 pin trailer plug (pin 2 ) to keep the internal battery of the breakaway charged, if battery goes flat breaks engage!

It was identified that my socket was not providing power to pin 2, the way to check if yours is connected is to ensure that the red LED is on when van is connected to your vehicle.

An emergency solution is apparently to connect a battery to the red and black terminals on the breakaway unit to get the brakes to release.

Hope this assists

Best regards,

Peter.

[Phone & Computer Aerials]

Hi Barra Pete, Many of the newer type Next G phones can be connected to an external antenna by purchasing a BURY brand car kit, this kit has a passive connect type antenna couple which works very well, it has adaptors to suit nearly all new smart phones including I phone and Blackburry. The cradles may be interchanged if you upgrade to a newer phone. While the complete car kit enables you to charge your phone also, it is not necessary to connect it all if you just want the antenna feature.

Best to Google BURY as there are many kits available.

Once installed you can then set up the Iphone as a "wireless hot spot" and connect your PC via wireless (WiFi). Providing you have a data pac on your phone plan, this way you have both phone and Internet / email available on 1 antenna

If not the Next G wireless USB modem (blue one) has an external Next G antenna input and you would have received an adaptor plug when purchase so you can simply connect direct to the antenna plug

Hope this assists

Regards,

Bear Essentials (Pete)