| Unique
BrakeSmart Features The
BrakeSmart is a truly "set it and forget it" trailer brake
controller. The ability to measure the tow vehicle output brake
pressure and then turn that data into an appropriate signal for
the application, makes this controller second to none! Every 2 minutes
the BrakeSmart performs a total system diagnostic test. Its microprocessors
perform over 2000 computations per second! As the BrakeSmart is
executing an instruction, it is acquiring a command. It's a pretty
busy guy. But this is only scratching the surface. The BrakeSmart's
microprocessors have the ability to perform 4 million computations
per second! That's power for the future!
Trailer
Compatibility: The BrakeSmart is compatible with any trailer
that has electric brakes. In addition, it is one of the only controllers
that will work with electric/hydraulic brake actuators. It will
work with any trailer out there, from one axle to four and even
more with reprogramming. Travel trailers, Horse and Livestock trailers,
5th Wheel RV and Gooseneck RV trailers, Equipment and Cargo trailers,
Car Haulers, Boat and Transport trailers.
Intensity
adjustments: When the display is in the default mode, simply
adjust the arrow keys up or down to adjust the brightness.
Amps
& Volts Mode: In this mode the BrakeSmart displays
the measured amperage and voltage under load. If a problem is detected
in either, a visual and audible alarm will be present. A reading
of 10 volts or less will kick in a warning. The BrakeSmart automatically
detects the number of axles on your trailer. With optimum wiring
and connections for an electric brake trailer, you should show amperage
readings accordingly:
1 axle trailer - 5.8 - 6 amps
2 axle trailer - 10.8 - 12 amps
3 axle trailer - 15.5 - 18 amps
General rule of thumb is 6 amps per axle, 3 amps per wheel/magnet.
Adjust
The Brake Controllers Gain: Use this feature to set gain
mode. BrakeSmart has 8 gain settings from minimum to the 50% level
and 8 gain settings from 50% to the maximum gain setting. With 16
available gain settings, BrakeSmart provides the most proportional
truck brake to trailer brake response available. There is an optimum
setting for any truck to trailer combination. The BrakeSmart is
programmed with a gain setting of 50% from the factory. Most people
find that there is no need to adjust from this point.
Set
Initial Brake Constant: The default setting for the "Initial
brake constant" is 26 without a trailer attached. If your trailer
has electric brakes and when you attach it, the value should be
right around 20. This feature allows you to adjust the initial voltage
that is sent back to your trailer brakes as soon as you have a brake
action. The "Initial brake constant" is a voltage figure
being assigned a value. The value being assigned is in brake pressure.
For instance, if you tap on your brakes just enough for the brake
lights to come on with the "IBC" at 26, the first PSI
reading on the BrakeSmart display should read right about 51 psi.
What is being "said" is that with a setting at 26, voltage
is being sent to your trailer brakes that is equal to 51 psi. You
can increase or decrease the "IBC" with the result being
a harder or lighter initial brake action as soon as your stop light
circuit is activated, your initial brake action. This feature is
helpful in "balancing" the truck and trailer brake action
especially with bumper pull type trailers.
Set
Time of Day: This feature allows you to set the time of
day.
Set
Today's Date: This feature allows you to set the Month,
Day, and Year.
Enter
Your Own Custom Message: You can enter a personal message
of up to 16 characters . Your custom message will be displayed along
with the Day, Date, and Time when the BrakeSmart is in the default
screen mode. You can choose from a variety of symbols, both upper
and lower case letters, and numbers. Simply "arrow up or down"
to scroll through letters, numbers, & symbols until you find
the one you want. Then press "E" which will move the cursor
to the right one space. Repeat until you have up to 16 characters
or blank spaces.
Set
Power Off Delay: You may adjust the time allowed before
the display screen goes blank when there has been no activity such
as a brake application. The BrakeSmart is programmed with a power
management system that automatically shuts down power to the display
after a period of time. The power off delay time is adjustable through
the menu from 30 minutes to 5 hours in thirty minute increments.
This reduces the battery drain from less than one ampere to a few
thousands of an ampere. Any activity will bring the display back
on.
Press
Enter for Power Save Mode: You may instantly turn off the
display with this feature. Note: This does not disable the controller.
Your trailer brakes will continue to function if applied. This function
is most commonly utilized during long stretches of night driving.
After adjusting the intensity level you may still find the display
too bright. The display will come back on as soon as there is any
activity such as a brake application.
Communication
Mode: This function is to be turned "On" if you
have a Master Brake Systems electric/hydraulic brake actuator the
Elecdraulic. The BrakeSmart will communicate with specific programming
in the Elecdraulic.
Set
Pressure Sensor: The BrakeSmart can be used with both hydraulic
and air brake tow vehicles. There are two types of pressure sensors,
hydraulic & air, each of which are included in the appropriate
wire harness kit. For hydraulic brake tow vehicles choose 2000.
For air brake tow vehicles choose 150. There was an earlier version
of the pressure sensor that was scaled to 1500 psi. All current
kits are using the 2000 psi sensor. The BrakeSmart controller will
now recognize the appropriate sensor.
Fuse
Test Mode: This design feature will alert you if the 15A
fuse in the back of the BrakeSmart has blown. This fuse is on the
Brake Light Circuit only. Your BrakeSmart controller will continue
to work if this fuse is blown. This is to alert you that the circuit
is being overloaded possibly by other lights. Note: If you have
LED lights on the Brake Light Circuit, turn this function to Off.
LED lights may flash when the BrakeSmart is running it's system
check every 2 minutes.
Set
Beeper Mode: Allows you to turn on or off the audible alarm.
If an error is detected, an initial visual and audible alarm will
commence. The audible alarm will then go into a cycle mode. You
may find that it will be some time before you can investigate. This
feature allows you to turn off the audible alarm which may become
distracting. The visual alarm will remain.
Set
Pump Mode: This is to be set to "On" only if
you have an Ausco brand trailer brake actuator on your trailer.
There is a value of 1.0. This can be scaled between .1 and 2.0.
This feature immediately applies full brake for the corresponding
time in seconds when you have a brake application. This allows the
Ausco unit to "wake up" and thus decrease the lag time
between brake action and application. A value of 2.0 is the maximum
setting recommended.
Set
Power Factor: Think of this as a very fine tuned gain adjustment,
a voltage tuning mechanism. The unit is programmed from the factory
at 1.0. This scale can be adjusted in increments from .5 to 1.5.
Most users will never need to adjust this setting. Always adjust
the Brake Controller Gain first. What this function does is limit
or increase the amount of maximum brake you can achieve. Roll it
down past 1.0 and essentially maximum brake availability will not
be achieved. Raise this up past 1.0 and you will achieve maximum
brake at a lower brake pressure, essentially achieving maximum brake
faster.
Trailer
Battery Test Mode: Set to "On" if you are using
the Master Brake Systems Elecdraulic brake actuator. This mode will
keep tabs on the break-away battery or unit battery system if you
have an RV unit.
Manual
Button Gain Percentage: You can actually adjust the gain
setting for the manual thumb control from 30% to 90% in increments
of 5. Remember that the manual control is separate from the pressure
sensor at the master cylinder. The brake achieved by the manual
control is only proportionate to how far you depress the manual
control.
Set
EGT Cutoff Temperature: An EGT and Turbo boost module is
in the works and will be available soon. This function will allow
the user to set the maximum temperature at which the exhaust gas
will reach before an alarm is set off.
BrakeSmart® - FAQ
Will the BrakeSmart work with my trailer?
The BrakeSmart is compatible with any trailer that has electric
brakes. In addition, it is one of the only controllers that will
work with electric/hydraulic brake actuators. It will work with
any trailer out there, from one axle to four and even more with
reprogramming. Travel trailers, Horse and Livestock trailers, 5th
Wheel RV and Gooseneck RV trailers, Equipment and Cargo trailers,
Car Haulers, Boat and Transport trailers.
Will installing the pressure sensor in the master cylinder
affect the the ABS of my tow vehicle?
No, the pressure sensor does not displace any brake fluid or air.
The sensor is a solid state device that is simply measuring the
pressure output of the master cylinder. This is the same pressure
sensor used with many manufacturers Vehicle Dynamic Control Systems
for ABS.
Do I need the wire harness kit and why do you sell it separate
from the controller?
All BrakeSmart Controllers require a Wiring Harness Kit. You have
the option of choosing the BrakeSmart color as well as the wire
harness kit that is tow vehicle specific. Since some customers have
several different tow vehicles, Wiring Harness Kits are also sold
separately to allow them to use the BrakeSmart controller in all
of their trucks. The wire harness kit includes the BrakeSmart to
factory tow package receptacle or tow vehicle trailer wire harness.
It also contains the BrakeSmart to pressure sensor harness, the
tow vehicle specific master cylinder tee, the pressure sensor, and
wire ties. These kits are specific to your tow vehicle and the BrakeSmart
controller.
Why do I need a BrakeSmart controller?
The peace of mind and ease of use that the BrakeSmart brings to
your trailering experience. Say "goodbye" to annoying
gain adjustments when trailer weight or driving conditions change.
BrakeSmart gives a truly proportional trailer brake based on the
output of the tow vehicle. It provides the most proportional truck
brake to trailer brake response available. This translates into
an immediate, smooth brake action with every brake application.
BrakeSmart is capable of applying full brake voltage to the trailer
even when the gain is set to the lowest setting. Remember, a full
trailer brake is available at any gain setting. This provides a
safety factor no other controller can offer.
BrakeSmart
is much more than a trailer brake controller, it is a system monitor.
BrakeSmart monitors the the voltage output of your tow vehicle and
will notify you with both a visual and audible alarm if the tow
vehicle voltage drops to 9.0 volts or less. BrakeSmart performs
the same function by monitoring the amperage on the trailer wiring
system. By keeping tabs on the amperage, BrakeSmart will alert you
to potential problems with trailer wire connections and brake magnets.
BrakeSmart compensates
for electric brake fade caused by heat being generated at the brakes.
This heat creates resistance which the BrakeSmart overcomes by supplying
more voltage to the brakes.
What is the brake hose used for in the wire harness hookup
kit?
The brake hose is included to help with the installation of the
pressure sensor. After installing the brake line tee in the master
cylinder, the sensor port may be at a difficult angle or room may
be limited. The hose eliminates these potential issues.
Does the BrakeSmart activate my brakes in reverse?
Yes, the BrakeSmart does activate your trailer brakes in reverse.
The BrakeSmart controller is relying on input from the master cylinder
not a motion sensing device such as a pendulum or accelerometer.
Movement does not affect BrakeSmart operation.
Is the BrakeSmart compatible with electric/hydraulic brake
actuation systems?
Yes, the BrakeSmart circuitry is designed to be used with both electric/hydraulic
trailer brake systems and electric trailer brake systems. The technology
utilized in the BrakeSmart can handle more power and is designed
to handle the fly-back current that electric/hydraulic brake systems
produce.
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