Brake Signal Connection

[Taxguy]

I need to connect my toad brake controller to the coach brake signal. My 2009 36 MDDS has two wires on the brake pedal, a white marked "brake" and a black. I expected one to be hot all the time and then both to be hot when the pedal was depressed. It not working out as expected. Any suggestions for this toad controller connection?

[EngineerMike]

IIWMI'd take signal for a relay coil off the rear Vansco brake light, and battery voltage thru the switched side of the relay to the toad controller.
Rear Vansco LED#12 is Brake Lamps; it goes out over Pin#9 on the large multi-wire plug on the right, lower side of the module. You can tap the signal there, and take the running voltage from the battery compartment as needed.

[Taxguy]

EMike the controller for the toad brake is mounted under the dash of the coach about 18 inches to the left of the brake pedal. It sends a wireless signal back to the toad. The controller senses when the brake lights are activated

[Old Scout]

Think EM is on to it--assuming you need to leave the wireless controller under the dash [wow--signal strength is not an issue] but need a "hot" wire to activate it, use EM's suggestion of a relay but use what appears to be the grounded circuit from the brake pedal switch to activate the relay [ie, wire the relay hot and use the ground from the pedal switch to activate]. OR--find the corresponding lignt/circuit on the front VANSCO unit to get your activating hot wire. Life is so much more simple in a 2003--smile!

[rmmpe]

If it were me I'd not mess with anything and simply run a 14 Ga. wire directly from the Alpine's brake light down to the hitch plug.

If you feel that might be too much load, have the brake light signal trigger a relay to complete a circuit from the Coach battery to the TOAD (I can send a schematic for this).

Screw the electronic wizardry.

Life is simpler in a 1999

[dgerstel]

My brake light switch has 5 connections on it, only the 2 toward the back of the coach are used. The 2 connections just ahead of the 2 used, are a spst normally open, switch. I pulled a power source from the dash area, fused it and ran it to one of those connections. The other I used as a "normal brake light switch power" source for my towed brakes. The wire connectors for these connections, I got from Auto Zone, are for Ford.

I would not use the brake light switch grounding connection to the Vansco to power a relay, that would most likely cause a feed back problem.

[Taxguy]

Dale I like your idea and you showed that setup to me at Quartsite but I forgot now it was set up. This reminded me. But can you give me a little more help as to what to ask for. Is there a part number or other discription for the pin connections?

Off this subject I would like chat with you about the way you modified the heater vent under the couch. I'm new to posting on the forum and don't know how to PM.

Tom Anteau

[dgerstel]

Tom,

I sent you a PM with my contact info. The connectors come in a package, I think that is labeled "misc Ford wire connectors." Match the connecters from the package with the ones used on your present switch. With the brake light switch connector removed from the switch, push the connectors, with the wire attached, into the holes the same way the present ones are installed.

[Taxguy]

Dale once I got the connectors for the plug on the brake pedal, all went well and everything is working as expected

Thanks

Tom Anteau

[EngineerMike]

Tom- can you post the part# info for the connectors for future reference?

[dgerstel]

Tom,

You are welcome, I try to help out in the areas that I have knowledge. Some of what I pass on has come to me thru other Alpine owners.

[Taxguy]

Sorry for the delay in posting the part number, lost the package for a while.

Purchased @ Autozone called "terminal assortment ford" Part #85377.
There are 10 connectors, 2 each of 5 different types. Only the 2 square ones are used the rest go in the collection box.