MaxBrake Install

[DaveHess]

I installed my MaxBrake Saturday night. Really not difficult at all. Haven't hooked up a trailer as the driveway to the trailers has about a 3 foot drift across it. I tried hitting it with a snowblower and it just wasn't up to the task. Even a buddy with a small skid steer had a difficult time with it. No where to put the snow. I'll have to wait a couple of weeks. I mounted my controller on the left side of the knee bolster as oppossed to the pics above where it is on the right. For me it made a cleaner install with the wiring. The controller lit right up, cal went as advertised, and it went into sleep mode after about 5 minutes. Woke it up by manually operating the controller and it went to sleep again after about 5 minutes of inactivity. No leaks from any connections. I made a small pad from roll bar padding and placed the pad between the brake line leading to the sensor and the top black hose that runs next to the master cylinder. It was a slightly tight fit which was I wanted. I then zip tied the brass fitting connecting the sensor to the pad and that should take car of any vibration that brake line may have encountered. Mainly as strain relief. Can't wait to tow with it now.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Use Flare nut wrenches

 

[Dutch & Di]

Dave, I am sorry you are still uncomfortable with the installation of the Max Brake controller you purchased from me. I will add again, that if you have any questions either before or during installation, we are available by phone from 10 am to 10 pm 7 days a week at 941-416-0918. I discussed the issue with you regarding the first controller. Between my own Max Brake, other customers I have shipped to and the Max Brake owner, we feel this was an isolated incident. As a courtesy, I offered to help you with part of the shipping to send the original controller back to Max Brake. I dropped the ball on getting the check out to you but will put one in the mail to you today.

I am sorry your experience in dealing with me & my company was not a positive one. Diana

I did find that you will need a 12mm Inverted Flare Nut wrench. I started to use an open 12mm wrench and quickly felt it start to give way. Part of my fear here is this is the second MaxBrake I ordered. The first came to me and it appeared someone had taken the faceplate off the controller and the Cal button on the back was mashed into the unit. So that did not instill a whole lot of confidence in me. Now I am gun shy about this unit. I read a lot of good things about it but my Tekonsha, even though it needs constant attention, has never let me down. But, I spent a lot of money that I don't have (courtesy of an ex and child support) so I may as well do this thing. Funny story here. Went to open a savings account in my name this morning and they want a street address due to the Patriot Act. Hmmmmmm... . What is the street address for a 29' Jayco Eagle in a Wal-Mart parking lot????????? Just goes to prove, nice guys do indeed finish last (or with nothing). Diana, I really need that shipping refund!!!!!!!!

 

[Dutch & Di]

Dave, I am glad to see you were able to get the Max Brake installed without any issues. Diana

I installed my MaxBrake Saturday night. Really not difficult at all. Haven't hooked up a trailer as the driveway to the trailers has about a 3 foot drift across it. I tried hitting it with a snowblower and it just wasn't up to the task. Even a buddy with a small skid steer had a difficult time with it. No where to put the snow. I'll have to wait a couple of weeks. I mounted my controller on the left side of the knee bolster as oppossed to the pics above where it is on the right. For me it made a cleaner install with the wiring. The controller lit right up, cal went as advertised, and it went into sleep mode after about 5 minutes. Woke it up by manually operating the controller and it went to sleep again after about 5 minutes of inactivity. No leaks from any connections. I made a small pad from roll bar padding and placed the pad between the brake line leading to the sensor and the top black hose that runs next to the master cylinder. It was a slightly tight fit which was I wanted. I then zip tied the brass fitting connecting the sensor to the pad and that should take car of any vibration that brake line may have encountered. Mainly as strain relief. Can't wait to tow with it now.

 

[DaveHess]

Ok, I need to eat some crow here in this public forum. In post #17, I made a comment to Diana that needed my refund. That comment was meant to be funny based on my situation. You divorced guys know what I mean and as much as I love North Dakota, I see this state as a father hater state now. Anyhow, I want it to be very clear to anyone looking to purchase from Diana or Plug-It-Right, that she has been very helpful at all steps along the way. It is true that the first MaxBrake I received was unsatisfactory but Diana immediately stepped up to make it right. I apologized to Diana in a PM but I felt that I needed to set the record straight with the public.

 

[Dutch & Di]

Thank you Dave, I really appreciate your post. Diana

Ok, I need to eat some crow here in this public forum. In post #17, I made a comment to Diana that needed my refund. That comment was meant to be funny based on my situation. You divorced guys know what I mean and as much as I love North Dakota, I see this state as a father hater state now. Anyhow, I want it to be very clear to anyone looking to purchase from Diana or Plug-It-Right, that she has been very helpful at all steps along the way. It is true that the first MaxBrake I received was unsatisfactory but Diana immediately stepped up to make it right. I apologized to Diana in a PM but I felt that I needed to set the record straight with the public.

 

[jakprince]

Child support sucks no matter what state your in.

 

[DaveHess]

Child support sucks no matter what state your in.

I know it is for their betterment and maintenance but when it puts my ex's income to twice what I am left with... That just doesn't seem "equitable". If I hear the word "equitable" one more time, I think I'll throw up. She was already making 10G more a year. Go figure... . On the other hand, my MaxBrake looks really nice... ... ... .

 

[Grizzly]

I installed my MaxBrake Saturday night. Really not difficult at all. Haven't hooked up a trailer as the driveway to the trailers has about a 3 foot drift across it. I tried hitting it with a snowblower and it just wasn't up to the task. Even a buddy with a small skid steer had a difficult time with it. No where to put the snow. I'll have to wait a couple of weeks. I mounted my controller on the left side of the knee bolster as oppossed to the pics above where it is on the right. For me it made a cleaner install with the wiring. The controller lit right up, cal went as advertised, and it went into sleep mode after about 5 minutes. Woke it up by manually operating the controller and it went to sleep again after about 5 minutes of inactivity. No leaks from any connections. I made a small pad from roll bar padding and placed the pad between the brake line leading to the sensor and the top black hose that runs next to the master cylinder. It was a slightly tight fit which was I wanted. I then zip tied the brass fitting connecting the sensor to the pad and that should take car of any vibration that brake line may have encountered. Mainly as strain relief. Can't wait to tow with it now.

Congratulations on your install. I told you it wasn't all that difficult.



george

 

[DaveHess]

Thanks George and you were right! I have found as I get older I am more hesitant to mess with things that are not broke. But once I delve into a project I thoroughly enjoy myself and this project was no exception. I enjoy the feeling afterwards of a job well done. I just have to overcome all the reservations at the start! I am really looking forward to pulling the TT with this unit.

 

[richardcoxid]

When I installed my Max Brake I replaced the supplied steel brake line with a length of brake hose and fabrecated a small bracket to mount the transducer to the fire wall. The brake hose was custom made by a local Hydraylic Hose Supplier. Cost? about $20

 

[JSooter]

For those that have a MaxBrake installed; I'm curious what message is displayed when no trailer is connected.



I just installed a MaxBrake tonight and it displays 'check trailer wiring', but the trailer is not connected.



I pick up the trailer tomorrow. Any ideas on how to test the brake control output? Maybe check for a voltage change on pin 2 of the 7 pin connector?



Also, when I calibrated it, there was no 'T' number as described in their install guide. I forget what exactly was displayed, but I think there was an 'A' number to the left that changed when I pressed the brake.



I'll give them a call tomorrow, but thought I'd post here to see what others may have ran into.



Thanks!



Jerry

 

[Grizzly]

When I installed my Max Brake I replaced the supplied steel brake line with a length of brake hose and fabrecated a small bracket to mount the transducer to the fire wall. The brake hose was custom made by a local Hydraylic Hose Supplier. Cost? about $20

WHY? What is wrong with the manufactures method?

 

[HBarlow]

Some RV dealers sell a handy, inexpensive little LED tester device that plugs into the seven pin connector at your rear bumper. It lights tiny red lights for trailer stop/turn/hazard flashers, taillamp/clearance lights, brake controller output, and 12volt charge line if everything is wired properly and hot when supposed to be.

I forget but think Tekonsha or other well known RV industry name brand makes it. It is round, the size of the opening in the seven pin female receptacle, made of black molded plastic, and about 4" or 5" long. I think I paid $20+ for it several years ago.

 

[odinjunior]

WHY? What is wrong with the manufactures method?

Guess that you missed this, Grizzly.



Install was Fairly easy. Two steps gave me the most aggravation. First was putting a bend in the straight piece of tubing provided. I used a Dog Food can to prevent Kinks.



That 6 inch piece of pre-formed brake line could have been done better in my opinion. Check my pictures.





#ad

 

[DMather]

For those that have a MaxBrake installed; I'm curious what message is displayed when no trailer is connected.

I just installed a MaxBrake tonight and it displays 'check trailer wiring', but the trailer is not connected.

That message is normal and correct. I just talked with them because mine said the same thing. If you have no trailer attached, you ignore the message as there is nothing for the MaxBrake to check.

(a more appropriate message might be "NO TRLR/CHK WIRING")

When there is no trailer connected, there is no wiring that can be checked. The MAxBrake only uses three of the four wires, power in (black), ground (white) and power out to the trailer (blue). The fourth wire, vehicle brake lights (red) is not used since the MaxBrake is monitoring the brake pressure. If the unit lights up the power and ground are good. That only leaves the power out to the trailer, which, without a trailer is an open wire. Is it not connected or broken? No way for the controller to tell.

If you want to check the actual output at the trailer plug have someone manually actuate the controller or press the brake pedal while you watch for voltage between:

6 PIN connector - the pin at the 10 oclock position (power out) and the pin at the 2 oclock position (ground).

7 PIN connector - the pin at the 5 oclock position (power out) and the pin at the 7 oclock position (ground).

5 PIN flat connector - upgrade to a 7 pin but check between blue and white.

4 PIN flat connector - there is no brake wire.

(set meter to 20 Volt DC scale, red lead to power out pin, black lead to ground pin)

 

[Grizzly]

Guess that you missed this, Grizzly.



Install was Fairly easy. Two steps gave me the most aggravation. First was putting a bend in the straight piece of tubing provided. I used a Dog Food can to prevent Kinks.



That 6 inch piece of pre-formed brake line could have been done better in my opinion. Check my pictures.









I didn't miss a thing!

 

[JLandry]

A reminder for those considering a MaxBrake purchase, Southwest Wheel Co. offers TDR members a 5% discount. Use the code "turbodiesel" at checkout.



I'm installing a MaxBrake in my truck to replace a Prodigy P3 this weekend.



John L.

 

[DMather]

A reminder for those considering a MaxBrake purchase, Southwest Wheel Co. offers TDR members a 5% discount. Use the code "turbodiesel" at checkout.



I'm installing a MaxBrake in my truck to replace a Prodigy P3 this weekend.



John L.

That "reminder" would have been nice to know before the purchase.

 

[JSooter]

I spoke to MaxBrake this morning. Indeed, the displayed message is normal for no trailer connected.



As for the calibration process being different... it seems the software has been updated but the install guide that I received was for the previous software. When in the calibration menu, it is the 'A' number that needs to be set via pressing the brake pedel.



I think that the software change included the ability to lock the trailer brakes... thus a parking brake mode.



Jerry

For those that have a MaxBrake installed; I'm curious what message is displayed when no trailer is connected.



I just installed a MaxBrake tonight and it displays 'check trailer wiring', but the trailer is not connected.



I pick up the trailer tomorrow. Any ideas on how to test the brake control output? Maybe check for a voltage change on pin 2 of the 7 pin connector?



Also, when I calibrated it, there was no 'T' number as described in their install guide. I forget what exactly was displayed, but I think there was an 'A' number to the left that changed when I pressed the brake.



I'll give them a call tomorrow, but thought I'd post here to see what others may have ran into.



Thanks!



Jerry