Bowmonk BrakeCheck Series 2 User manual

© 2001-2002 Bowmonk Ltd.
BrakeCheck
User Manual
Bowmonk Ltd,
Diamond Road
Norwich,
NR6 6AW
UK
Tel: (44) (0) 1603 485 153
Fax: (44) (0) 1603 418 150
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bowmonk.com
2

© 2001-2002 Bowmonk Ltd.
Copyright 2001-2002 by Bowmonk Ltd
Last Updated: 17th December, 2002
Neither the whole nor part of the information herein, nor the product described may be adapted or
reproduced in any material form except with the prior written consent of Bowmonk Ltd.
The product described in this manual is subject to continuous development and improvement. All
information herein of a technical nature, and particulars of the product and its use, are given in good
faith but are liable to change without notice.
All installation, maintenance or service of this product must be carried out by Bowmonk Ltd or its
accredited agent, and loss or damage caused by installation, maintenance or service which is carried
out by unauthorised personnel will not be accepted.
This manual is intended only to assist the reader in the use of the product, and therefore Bowmonk Ltd
shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever arising from the use of any information or
particular in or any error of omission from this manual or any incorrect use of this product.
Bowmonk Ltd welcomes comments or suggestions relating to the product or this manual. All
correspondence should be addressed to:
Customer Service Manager - BrakeCheck
Bowmonk Ltd,
Diamond Road
Norwich,
NR6 6AW
UK
Tel: (44) (0) 1603 485 153
Fax: (44) (0) 1603 418 150
Email: [email protected]
Website:www.bowmonk.com
3

© 2001-2002 Bowmonk Ltd
Table of Contents
BrakeCheck.......................................................................................................5
Unit Description.................................................................................................................... 5
Function Keys...................................................................................................7
Performing a Test ...........................................................................................10
Setting the unit up for a Test.............................................................................................. 10
To Test the Service Brake.................................................................................................. 11
Service Brake Test Results................................................................................................ 12
To Test the Hand Brake ..................................................................................................... 14
Hand Brake Test Results.................................................................................................... 15
To display the Temperature of the Unit.............................................................................. 17
To Print using the Cable..................................................................................................... 18
To Print using the Infra-Red Link........................................................................................ 19
Explanation of Terms .....................................................................................20
Peak Deceleration (Front/Rear) ......................................................................................... 20
Average Deceleration......................................................................................................... 20
Peak Acceleration (Left/Right)............................................................................................ 20
Vehicle pulls to the Left (or Right)...................................................................................... 20
Stopping Distance (metres):............................................................................................... 20
Test Speed (km/h):............................................................................................................. 20
Brake Efficiency:................................................................................................................. 20
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© 2001-2002 Bowmonk Ltd
BrakeCheck
Unit Description
The Bowmonk BrakeCheck is a self-contained unit,
incorporating an Accelerometer, which is used to
determine your vehicle’s braking performance. It can
also be used to monitor the condition of the brake
components in conjunction with normal, routine
inspection.
The BrakeCheck will test the performance of both the
Service Brake (foot brake) and the Hand Brake
(parking brake) and will report the magnitude of any
sideways pull detected during testing.
All of the BrakeCheck’s functions are controlled with
the three keys on the front panel. The unit’s status,
Current Mode and Displayed Result are all indicated
by the LED’s.
The BrakeCheck has a 3 character LED display
which shows the unit’s status, the test to be
performed and the test results. It will also display the
temperature of the unit in both 0C and 0F.
The optional printer can be configured to operate via
cable connection or wireless Infra-Red. The Battery
Charger is used as the power supply for the printer.
A Battery Charger has been provided. The
BrakeCheck should be recharged regularly to ensure
it is ready to use when required.
The BrakeCheck should only be charged when the
temperature of the unit is between 00C and 430C
(320F & 1090F)
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© 2001-2002 Bowmonk Ltd
Page 6 of 20

© 2001-2002 Bowmonk Ltd
Function Keys
Menu
Hold the Menu key down for 2 to 3 seconds to turn
the BrakeCheck ON
Menu
Press the Menu key repeatedly to change the
Current Mode.
Enter
Press the Enter key to change the Displayed
Result.
Print
Press the Print key to send the test results to the
Printer (if available) via either the cable or the Infra-
Red link, depending upon the configuration of your
printer.
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© 2001-2002 Bowmonk Ltd
When the BrakeCheck is turned ON, the Service
Brake Test LED will be lit and the display will show:
The unit is ready to begin the Service Brake Test
routine.
Press
Menu
the Hand Brake Test LED will be lit
and the display will show:
The unit is ready to begin the Hand Brake Test
routine.
Press
Menu
again, the Service Brake Test LED
and the Last Test Result LED will be lit and the
display will show:
The unit is ready to display the results of the most
recent Service Brake Test.
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© 2001-2002 Bowmonk Ltd
Press
Menu
again, the Hand Brake Test LED and
the Last Test Result LED will be lit and the display
will show:
The unit is ready to display the results of the most
recent Hand Brake Test.
Press
Menu
again, the Temperature LED will be
lit and the display will show:
Press
Menu
again, the Temperature LED will be
lit and the display will show:
Press
Menu
again to return to the beginning.
Page 9 of 20

© 2001-2002 Bowmonk Ltd
Performing a Test
Setting the unit up for a Test
Ensure the battery is charged sufficiently.
Choose a safe test area that is as level as possible.
The test area should be straight, flat and long
enough to attain the recommended test speed
and then to stop the vehicle quickly and safely.
Avoid loose and wet surfaces. Avoid areas where
there are other vehicles or people.
Place the BrakeCheck in the vehicle with the arrow
pointing in the direction of travel.
Front
of
Vehicle
NB. The BrakeCheck should be placed on the
vehicle seat or front floor and as close as possible to
parallel with the road surface. The unit is fitted with
rubber feet to help prevent it from moving around
during the test.
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© 2001-2002 Bowmonk Ltd
To Test the Service Brake
Press
Menu
until the Current Mode is Service
Brake Test.
Press
Enter
once, the display will indicate whether
or not the unit is level enough to perform the test.
Before an accurate test can be performed the display
must show:
Do NOT tilt the unit to achieve level. Find a more
level vehicle test area and ensure the unit is
parallel with the road.
Press
Enter
again, the unit is now ready to
perform the test and the display will show:
Accelerate the vehicle smoothly to approximately
35kph (22mph).
Without causing the vehicle to skid, apply heavy and
consistent pressure to the Service Brake until the
vehicle comes to a complete stop as quickly as
possible.
The Test is now complete, move the vehicle off the
roadway if necessary.
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© 2001-2002 Bowmonk Ltd
Service Brake Test Results
If the unit powers down, go to the Service Brake
Test / Last Test Result mode and press
Enter
Then, (or if the unit did not power down),
the Peak Deceleration (Front/Rear) LED will be lit
and the display will show a value, eg:
Press
Enter
and the Average Deceleration
(Front/Rear) LED will be lit and the display will show
a value, eg:
Press
Enter
again, the Peak Acceleration
(Left/Right) LED will be lit and either the Vehicle
pulls to the Left OR the Vehicle pulls to the Right
LED will be lit. The display will show a value, eg:
Page 12 of 20

© 2001-2002 Bowmonk Ltd
Press
Enter
again, the Stopping Distance
(metres) LED will be lit and the display will show a
value, eg:
Press
Enter
again, the Test Speed (km/h) LED
will be lit and the display will show a value, eg:
Press
Enter
again, the Brake Efficiency (%)
LED will be lit and the display will show a value, eg:
Press
Enter
again, the Peak Deceleration
(Front/Rear) is displayed again.
These results will be retained until the next Service
Brake test is performed.
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© 2001-2002 Bowmonk Ltd
To Test the Hand Brake
Press
Menu
until the Current Mode is Hand Brake
Test.
Press
Enter
once, the display will indicate whether
or not the unit is level enough to perform the test.
Before an accurate test can be performed the display
must show:
Do Not tilt the unit to achieve level. Ensure the
unit is parallel with the road surface and then, if
necessary, locate a more level vehicle test area.
Press
Enter
again, the unit is now ready to
perform the test and the display will show:
Accelerate the vehicle smoothly to approximately
20kph (13mph).
Without causing the vehicle to skid, apply the Hand
Brake firmly and consistently until the vehicle comes
to a complete stop as quickly as possible.
The Test is now complete, move the vehicle off the
roadway if necessary.
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© 2001-2002 Bowmonk Ltd
Hand Brake Test Results
If the unit powers down, go to the Hand Brake Test /
Last Test Result mode and press
Enter
then, (or if the unit did not power down),
the Peak Deceleration (Front/Rear) LED will now
be lit and the display will show a value, eg:
Press
Enter
and the Average Deceleration
(Front/Rear) LED will be lit and the display will show
a value, eg:
Press
Enter
again, the Peak Acceleration
(Left/Right) LED will be lit and either the Vehicle
pulls to the Left OR the Vehicle pulls to the Right
LED will be lit. The display will show a value, eg:
Page 15 of 20

© 2001-2002 Bowmonk Ltd
Press
Enter
again, the Stopping Distance
(metres) LED will be lit and the display will show a
value, eg:
Press
Enter
again, the Test Speed (km/h) LED
will be lit and the display will show a value, eg:
Press
Enter
again, the Brake Efficiency (%) LED
will be lit and the display will show a value, eg:
Press
Enter
again, the Peak Deceleration
(Front/Rear) is displayed again.
These results will be retained until the next Hand
Brake test is performed.
Page 16 of 20

© 2001-2002 Bowmonk Ltd
To display the Temperature of the Unit
Press
Menu
until the Current Mode is
Temperature and the display shows the desired
temperature scale. Ie:
or
Press
Enter
once, the display will alternate
between the measured temperature and the selected
scale, for example:
To now display the temperature in Fahrenheit, or to
select another Mode,
Press
Menu
until the display and LED indicate the
desired Mode.
Page 17 of 20

© 2001-2002 Bowmonk Ltd
Printing Test Results
The BrakeCheck can output test results to a printer if
required. A dot-matrix printer is available and is
recommended, although any correctly configured
printer can be used. A cable is provided with the
printer, or an optional Infra-Red link can be used.
To Print using the Cable
Connect the printer to the power pack provided.
Connect the supplied cable to the printer and Brake
Check.
If the BrakeCheck has powered-down due to
inactivity:
Press
Menu
until the Current Mode indicates the
test results to be printed. Ie, either Last…Service
Brake Test or Last…Hand Brake Test
Press
Enter
once, (this is not necessary if the
unit has not powered-down) the Peak Deceleration
(Front/Rear) LED will be lit and the display will show
a value, eg:
Press
Print
once, the display will show:
and the printer will print the results for the last test
performed.
Page 18 of 20

© 2001-2002 Bowmonk Ltd
To Print using the Infra-Red Link
Plug the power pack into the Infra-Red receiver. Plug
the lead from the receiver into the printer.
If the BrakeCheck has powered-down due to
inactivity:
Press
Menu
until the Current Mode indicates the
test results to be printed: ie, Last Service Brake
Test or Last Hand Brake Test
Press
Enter
once, (this is not necessary if the
unit has not powered-down) the Peak Deceleration
(Front/Rear) LED will be lit and the display will show
a value, eg:
With the BrakeCheck pointing at the Infra-Red
receiver,
Press
Print
once, the BrakeCheck will emit a
long beep sound, keep the unit pointed at the
receiver until a second, short beep is heard. The
display will show:
And the printer will print the results for the last test
performed.
Page 19 of 20

© 2001-2002 Bowmonk Ltd
Explanation of Terms
Peak Deceleration (Front/Rear)
This is the maximum recorded G Force (m/s2)
detected during the test, in the front to rear direction.
Average Deceleration
This refers to the average G Force (m/s2) over the
duration of the test., in the front to rear direction.
Peak Acceleration (Left/Right)
This is the maximum recorded G Force (m/s2)
detected during the test, in the left or right direction.
NOTE: This feature is included for reference only.
There may not be any regulatory data available to
determine if a test result should be considered a
Pass or Fail result.
Road camber, tyre condition, driver action and so on
may cause a test vehicle to pull off centre under
heavy braking. If the pull is noticeable, it is
suggested that the brake components be checked for
signs of wear or leaks etc.
Vehicle pulls to the Left (or Right)
This is an indication of the direction from centre the
vehicle is deviating toward during the test.
Stopping Distance (metres):
This is an estimate of the distance the vehicle travels
from commencement of braking to complete stop. It
is calculated from Average Deceleration and the test
time.
Test Speed (km/h):
This is an estimate of the speed at which the vehicle
was travelling when braking was commenced. It is
calculated from Average Deceleration and Stopping
Distance.
Brake Efficiency:
This is an expression of braking performance (%). It
is calculated from Test Speed and Stopping Distance
and can be compared with statutory requirements.
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