Community Forums

Nutmeg · 03-09-2019, 09:00 AM

Looking at replacing my 07 Colorado with a 19 but use a Brake Buddy. Is anyone else doing this? With the need to disconnect the battery for the steering, did you wire an isolated independent accessory outlet either off the Colorado battery or from the Motor home electrical system?
Thanks.

Finance · 03-09-2019, 07:12 PM

You’ll need a dedicated circuit directly from the battery. Don’t use MH power except for a charger line to the toad, toad needs onboard power in case of breakaway.

Nutmeg · 03-09-2019, 08:23 PM

Good point. Did not think about the reservoir bleeding down when the power is disconnected.

vettenuts · 03-10-2019, 06:32 AM

I use the RVI3, but same issue. I ran a dedicated power line to the Colorado battery that remains powered after the required battery disconnect. I located the plug behind the parking brake pedal and there you will find you can tuck it under the carpet when not I use. Before tucking it under the carpet I put a 12v plug cap in the connection. I also put the break away connection in the same place.

Finance · 03-10-2019, 07:31 AM

I also recommend when setting up a Colorado to place the battery disconnect on the positive battery lead rather than the negative as Chevrolet says. They recommend negative for safety reasons when using tools on battery leads; no danger if your wrench contacts the truck body and battery negative simultaneously.

The problem in disconnecting negative arises when you have the need to power an item such as the braking unit while keeping the engine and chassis electronics isolated. There are MANY chassis ground points in the wiring harness. If your braking unit should be internally bonded between the negative power lead and any metal components, it can complete a circuit between the battery negative and the car body, allowing current to reach the vehicle's electronics.

The safest order of work would be:
Disconnect negative at battery -one time only to reduce hazard of tool short circuit.
Install battery disconnect on positive along with bypass lead to brake and charge line from coach.
Reconnect negative- once time only.

Nutmeg · 03-10-2019, 11:03 AM

Thanks - Getting a little concerned on the vehicle weight as my current extended cab only weights 3900 and it seems the crew cabs are now about 4700. Vettenuts, are you using a crewcab and how does your MH do with it?

vettenuts · 03-11-2019, 06:09 AM

I have a Workhorse chassis with the GM 8.1 Vortec and it pulls it fine. Haven’t done too many downhill descents of any magnitude yet but it has been fine so far.