Community Forums

BCook57 · 11-05-2007, 08:59 AM

FYI, I checked with M&G Engineering today and they confirmed you cannot use their system with the Acadia/Enclave/Outlook. Not enough room.

So, it will be the SMI Air Force One for me.

BCook57 · 11-05-2007, 08:59 AM

FYI, I checked with M&G Engineering today and they confirmed you cannot use their system with the Acadia/Enclave/Outlook. Not enough room.

So, it will be the SMI Air Force One for me.

cwg · 11-05-2007, 01:11 PM

I just had the Air Force One system installed last week at the factory in Evansville, IN. It has been a real pleasure to use so far, and has been seamless in application with the exception that the Acadia is a hassle to tow unless the fuse is pulled. Otherwise as reported here before, the instrument lights stay on when the key is in the accessory position and the battery may go dead. Also the miles rack up.

Until I can get a blade switch installed or something else circumvented, I just pull the fuse.

majfrizz · 11-06-2007, 05:42 AM

i have the 2008 Acadia, and the GMC dealer told me i did not have to pull the fuse anymore. and they are insatlling the SMI as i talk here.

BCook57 · 11-06-2007, 08:16 AM

majfrizz - can you be more specific on the dealer's comments? Has something changed? Thanks for any help,
Bob

Gary RVRoamer · 11-07-2007, 05:34 PM

Re the fuse pull and the miles accumulating - can you provide relevant quotes from the 08 owner manual on Recreational towing? Not pulling the fuse would be wonderful, but if having miles rack up is the trade-off I'll stick with my 07.

cwg · 11-08-2007, 05:11 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by majfrizz:
i have the 2008 Acadia, and the GMC dealer told me i did not have to pull the fuse anymore. and they are insatlling the SMI as i talk here. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Good luck with that one! Mine is a 2008 and that information has not be correct.. so far as I have seen.

BCook57 · 11-09-2007, 02:36 AM

We just picked up our new '08 Acadia last night. I'm going to go ahead and have a fuse switch installed by Coral Ridge Auto & RV Service in Punta Gorda, FL. They will also install the new Blue Ox base plate and the SMI Air Force One. Guess I'm not going to take a chance on not pulling the fuse, but the switch will make it easier.

majfrizz · 11-09-2007, 04:11 PM

the car dealer told me wrong. talked to the rV dealer today when they finished my Acadia. They tried to install a battery disconnet switch, but no room up there for one. they told me they will figure out something, so in the mean time, i have to pull the fuse. they did run anextra power line from the RV to the car for power. tiem will tell

Gary RVRoamer · 11-11-2007, 03:54 AM

It is pretty straight-forward upgrade to install a switch on the Batt#1 fuse, but there is another alternative that makes life easier. The Batt #1 fuse is a low profile type that is very difficult to grab with your fingers. NAPA stores have a replacement that is about 3/4" taller and easy to pluck out with your fingers. Still fits nicely in the fuse slot and under the cover.

Getting the cover off the underhood fuse box can be a pain, though. One of the three retaining clips is right against the firewall at the back - my fat fingers did not get in their well and I had to use a screwdriver to pop the clip loose. My wife couldn't do it at all (and she usually readies the car for travel).

Finally, if you want a battery disconnect switch instead of a single fuse switch, you can put it on the positive lead to the underhood fuse box. Plenty of room there. That will remove 90% of the power from the vehicle systems and eliminate the battery drain problem.

Shanwick · 11-14-2007, 06:39 AM

Has anyone heard of a product called "Battery Brain"? Apparently it's supposed to moniter battery discharge and disconnect the battery if it senses that it will become discharged. The "gold" version of this product is billed as a anti-theft device, as it also includes a remote control battery disconnect option. I'm having one installed on my '08 Outlook today, as I like the idea of the remote control vs digging under the hood for a fuse. They are going to install it on the positive lead to the fuse box.

BCook57 · 11-14-2007, 12:30 PM

Jeff,
If it disconnects the battery, do you lose all presets or other information in the car's computers?

Shanwick · 11-14-2007, 07:30 PM

Bob,

I'm no electrical expert, but here's what I've found out so far. Others may chime in with other, more recent information, but here goes.

I'm pretty sure that if you disconnect the battery you will lose all presets and other information. The question I had was about pulling the 50 amp fuse. I'm assuming (always dangerous) that if you pull the 50 amp fuse in accordance with the latest bulletin from GM, that you will lose the presets and other stuff anyway. I haven't heard any information to the contrary. If so, what's the difference? so, I'm going with the remote controlled battery disconnect until I hear of a better solution.

I did have a separate 12V power supply from the motorhome added to power the Brake Buddy system.

I haven't picked up the car and motorhome yet, so I can't tell you for sure if this is a good setup or not, but that's another story.

UPS 34 · 11-25-2007, 02:19 AM

I am looking at installing a play and stay in a Outlook . I am having a hard time to find a place for the box. Has anyone installed one. Can't even see the master for the vaccum hose. Looks like it is going to be a fun job.