Community Forums

arboldt · 09-22-2023, 05:23 PM

We've been FT since 2016, although stationary most winters. We've always used our Brake Buddy. In the past few months, the compressor sound has increased pitch, gotten louder, and now seems to take several minutes to bring it up to pressure. Not sure how to describe it, but the compressor sound has changed significantly (raspier?).

1) Are there any lubrication points I should oil? Can I take off the outer housing to look for lubrication points?
2) Or has it just exceeded its life expectancy (7 years, maybe 40,000 miles when towed behind our MH)?

krivanj · 09-22-2023, 07:55 PM

Call Brake Buddy. They just replaced my compressor. It was doing those things.

Cousin Ed · 09-23-2023, 08:59 AM

Our BB is over 20 years old (200,000 miles +). It has gone back to BB twice for repairs which were prompt and reasonable. Call them.

HaloThere · 08-14-2024, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arboldt

We've been FT since 2016, although stationary most winters. We've always used our Brake Buddy. In the past few months, the compressor sound has increased pitch, gotten louder, and now seems to take several minutes to bring it up to pressure. Not sure how to describe it, but the compressor sound has changed significantly (raspier?).

1) Are there any lubrication points I should oil? Can I take off the outer housing to look for lubrication points?
2) Or has it just exceeded its life expectancy (7 years, maybe 40,000 miles when towed behind our MH)?

OP: How did you fix your Brake Buddy noise problem?

My BB "Vantage Select" (RED SYSTEM) pump is now making noise and I would describe my problem same as you. Did you replace the pump and/or regulator?

arboldt · 08-15-2024, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HaloThere

OP: How did you fix your Brake Buddy noise problem?

My BB "Vantage Select" (RED SYSTEM) pump is now making noise and I would describe my problem same as you. Did you replace the pump and/or regulator?

The noise stayed about the same until the Brake Buddy ran continuously, thus also draining the toad battery. I tried a connector to keep the toad battery charged and shorted a circuit board in the BIRD. I then surmised both the compressor and pressure switch were defective.
I just didn't trust it anymore, and it was long out of warranty.
So I replaced it with an RVI brake system.

Paul_D · 08-15-2024, 09:15 AM

I had he same issue with my Brake Buddy. After it started making noise, it would not build enough pressure to turn off consistently.

I bought a second used unit off e-bay as a back-up, and sent the first unit to Hopkins for evaluation and repair. I forget the cost, but the turn around was quick.

Paul_D · 08-15-2024, 09:47 AM

I had he same issue with my Brake Buddy. After it started making noise, it would not build enough pressure to turn off consistently.

I bought a second used unit off e-bay as a back-up, and sent the first unit to Hopkins for evaluation and repair. I forget the cost, but the turn around was quick.

HaloThere · 08-18-2024, 03:54 PM

After reading how sensitive the Brake Buddy is to low voltage and low current, I took a closer look at my BB-12V power cord and discovered I was losing power due to to things: 1) The tip was loose and all I had to do was tighten it; and 2) I stepped on and crushed the 12V end 4 years ago... which I fixed by replacing just the tip with a new, heavy duty, 12V male cigarette end.

Turns out: I did not due a good job twisting the wires together and I could see some corrosion forming. I then cut new ends off each wire; and this time, I made sure to twist the wires together tighter. I also did a better job taping these wire-splices together; and now the BB pumps normally and works fine.