Max Brake controller problem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Stickbender]

Well I was wondering if anyone had any issues with their MaxBrake controller not shutting down and draining battery? If I let our truck set for a cuple weeks it drains battery as it is constantly on. I have addressed this with both my dealer and Max brake and their solution is to send in my new unit and let them check it out and repair it.
Thought someone on here may have already solved this issue. I guess its alright for me to have a new unit repaired, but Maxbrake cant send me a new unit to try as then they would have a used unit.
Im not to impressed with the policy that they wouldnt just replace my unit and have me send old unit in, as it has never been used, and I have tried everything they ask me to try to resolve .

 

[Stickbender]

Sorry it is installed on a 2010 Ram 3500.

 

[Dutch & Di]

As the dealer mentioned in Bob's post, I felt the need to respond. If the moderator feels this is inappropriate he is free to remove it.

We all know that it is very hard to diagnose a problem via phone or e-mail but Dutch & I have been working diligently with Bob to isolate his problem. To ask for a new replacement control box before the other one has been sent in for testing I feel is unreasonable, as we haven't yet been able to determine if it is the box or another issue. After exhausting all avenues and having Bob try different things, the only thing left to be done was to ask him to return the Max Brake to have it checked out.

He also failed to mention that he had painted the control box therefore rendering it "used". While I do understand how frustrating it is to spend hard earned money on something to have it not perform as advertised, his statement of "their solution is to send in my new unit and let them check it out and repair it. " leaves a bit out. He failed to mention the hours I spent on research, the time Dutch and I took to talk to him on the phone and via e-mail suggesting various things to try first all in the hopes his problem could be fixed without him having to send in the unit to be checked out. Every company that I know of has a policy of trying to isolate a problem 1st. We have to try solutions before we can get authorization to have the product sent in for repair or replacement.

I also understand as an RV'er that it definitely takes bit of doing to find a place to be "set" down long enough for the product to be returned, checked out & either repaired or replaced then returned back. I assured him that if he would let me know when he was sending it back in, I would make sure that checking it out was a priority so everything could be done as quickly as possible to get it back to him in minimal time.

I am awaiting that information from Bob so I can work hard to make sure he has a brake controller that works as it should. I strive for 100% customer satisfaction and still have high hopes of making that happen for Bob. Di

Well I was wondering if anyone had any issues with their MaxBrake controller not shutting down and draining battery? If I let our truck set for a cuple weeks it drains battery as it is constantly on. I have addressed this with both my dealer and Max brake and their solution is to send in my new unit and let them check it out and repair it.

Thought someone on here may have already solved this issue. I guess its alright for me to have a new unit repaired, but Maxbrake cant send me a new unit to try as then they would have a used unit.

Im not to impressed with the policy that they wouldnt just replace my unit and have me send old unit in, as it has never been used, and I have tried everything they ask me to try to resolve .

 

[HBarlow]

Does a MaxBrake controller have a computer-controlled "sleep mode?"

My faithful old BrakeSmart that I've been using for about ten years, perhaps eleven, has a sleep mode that automatically shuts it off and stops any current draw. The length of time before it shuts itself down is adjustable.

I assume MaxBrake has something similar.

 

[AClayton]

I have left my truck unattended for periods of up to 3 weeks without starting. I don't think my MaxBrake draws any current off the battery, well at least no more than a typical stereo would to maintain station settings and the like.

@Dutch and Di - Your reputation has been nothing short of phenominal here and I'm confident you two will solve the issue with the OP. These types of problems can be frustrating for all parties involved but there are always two sides to every story and all of us on TDR know that. Good luck to all of you in getting this problem solved.

 

[DAN V]

sleep mode

Mine goes into sleep mode. I have yet to hook up truck to any trailer to even check out the MB. I did have a slight problem with install and called Dutch and Di a couple of weeks ago. They were very helpful with my situation. I can't wait to try out the MB.

 

[fox]

Well I was wondering if anyone had any issues with their MaxBrake controller not shutting down and draining battery? If I let our truck set for a cuple weeks it drains battery as it is constantly on. I have addressed this with both my dealer and Max brake and their solution is to send in my new unit and let them check it out and repair it.
Thought someone on here may have already solved this issue. I guess its alright for me to have a new unit repaired, but Maxbrake cant send me a new unit to try as then they would have a used unit.
Im not to impressed with the policy that they wouldnt just replace my unit and have me send old unit in, as it has never been used, and I have tried everything they ask me to try to resolve .

Where are you located? Maybe you are close to a member who will help in troubleshooting it.

Did you pull the plug and let it sit for a few weeks?
Did you do a current draw with it connected and disconnected to compare amp load?
My Maxbrake works great.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Is there a factory brake controller involved in the equation?

 

[HBarlow]

If the MaxBrake has a sleep mode be sure to wait the specified length of time before it is supposed to enter the sleep mode before measuring current draw when plugged in.

 

[HBarlow]

As I reread this thread and thought about this issue a little I don't think there is anything in a hydraulic over electric brake controller like BrakeSmart and MaxBrake that could run a Dodge's two batteries down in a couple weeks. The only real current draw that occurs is when the controller senses hydraulic line pressure and sends the high current brake signal to the trailer. The controller is only acting as a relay when that occurs. The rest is tiny transistor circuits that draw very little current for the display and lighting.

My guess is the OP has another problem.

 

[drag racer]

Just installed mine recently. Instructions say it has a sleep mode after 5 minutes. Mine never shuts off. No reply on this subject from Di. Not happy about this, as I already have a boatload of electrical stuff and battery drain is a problem. This just adds to it.

 

[HBarlow]

I have not owned or used a MaxBrake but my old and experienced BrakeSmart has a "set up" mode where I can click through adjusting each setting including timing for the sleep mode. Perhaps your MaxBrake has something similar?

 

[Dutch & Di]

I apologize if I have not gotten back to you as I thought I had contacted all customers who have requested information, asked a question or needed help. If you will e-mail me at -- email address removed -- or call me at 941-416-0918 10 am to 10 pm 7 days a week EST right now with your name-not your forum name, I can look through my records to see if/what we have done. I want to assure you that I do not leave my customers stranded. Thank you, Di

Just installed mine recently. Instructions say it has a sleep mode after 5 minutes. Mine never shuts off. No reply on this subject from Di. Not happy about this, as I already have a boatload of electrical stuff and battery drain is a problem. This just adds to it.

 

[HPSimpson]

:-lafI have Max Brake installed after about 10 minutes of non use the screen shutoff even with tandem axle trailer connected driving down the freeway. :-laf Been like this since I bought the unit last year, I believe this is normal operation.

 

[HBarlow]

That's what my BrakeSmart has always done. It doesn't know if you're driving or parked. It senses no brake use for a period of time and goes into the sleep mode. It's instantly back on the job when the brake pedal or manual override is touched.

 

[Blu-meanie]

Brake lights on? The biggest problem I had with mine was the harness had a bad splice in it. Oh, then It didn't work at all, that was solved by unplugging the harness and rebooting the unit. Works fine now.

 

[HBarlow]

Gary,

Is the photo under your screen name the forward torpedo room shot I saw?

 

[Blu-meanie]

That's it. That's where the fog rolled up from the bilges when the snorkle valve closed.

 

[Dutch & Di]

Just to update, I have been in contact with Drag Racer and we are working to diagnose his problem. Once done, I will post again. Di