BrakeBuddy Select II User manual
Inventor and Leader in Portable Technology!
Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation | 428 Peyton St. Emporia, KS 66801 | www.BrakeBuddy.com
39523
WARNING
Read all instructions before installing or operating the Select II™.
Failure to understand how to install or operate Select II™ could result in property damage, personal injury or death.
INSTRUCTIONS
NEED HELP? CALL - 1-800-470-2287
(MONDAY - FRIDAY 8AM - 5PM CST)
Select II™
Portable Braking System
Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation BrakeBuddy.com 1-800-470-2287
Dash Mount Connector
Towed vehicle firewall
Grommet
Ground
15 AMP
battery charger
Ground wire
to vehicle frame
Battery wire
Positive battery terminal
Black wire from Dash Mount
to battery wire
Connect brown and red wires
from Dash Mount Connector
to wires from Break-Away Switch
Connect to RV
auxiliary power
Break-Away Switch
8 feet of wire
8 feet of wire
4 feet of wire 4 feet of wire
INSIDE THE BOX
BRAKEBUDDY® UNDER TOWED VEHICLE HOOD WIRING
PLEASE FOLLOW THIS DIAGRAM TO INSTALL
BRAKEBUDDY® AND GET READY TO TOW
NOTE: If there is ANY shipping damage, immediately call BrakeBuddy® Technical Service at 800-470-2287
PRIOR TO THE SET-UP OF BRAKEBUDDY® SELECT II™, REMOVE ALL CONTENTS FROM THE SHIPPING PACKAGE.
Control
Panel
Handle
Handle Lock Release
Easy-Pull™ Power Cord
Break-Away Kit 15 AMP Charger
Wireless Remote Dash Mount Connector
Select II™ Unit
Quick Connect™ Clevis
Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation BrakeBuddy.com 1-800-470-2287
1. Look under dash in towed vehicle driver side for grommets or holes to come through
the firewall.
2. Drill a hole wide enough to route the wiring from the Dash Mount Connector through the
firewall to the battery.
3. Select mounting location for Dash Mount Connector and route wire from inside of vehicle
through firewall into the engine compartment. Use provided grommet to protect wire.
4. Use 2 ¼” screws, 2 washers and 2 nuts to secure Dash Mount Connector to vehicle dash.
THE BREAK-AWAY IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE BRAKEBUDDY® SYSTEM AND IS REQUIRED
BY LAW IN MOST STATES. DO NOT OPERATE YOUR BRAKEBUDDY® WITHOUT A PROPERLY
FUNCTIONING BREAK-AWAY.
INSTALLING JUNCTION BOX
1. Find a convenient, sturdy place on the front of your towed vehicle to mount the junction box
(B). This should be installed on the driver’s side of the vehicle if possible.
2. Clean the mounting surface and attach the Velcro patch (A) (Fig. 1)
3. Attach the junction box (B) to the velcro patch (A) so the pin with the ring faces forward and
the wiring harness feeds back into the engine compartment.
4. Place the mounting bracket (C) over the junction box (B) and mark the hole locations to be
drilled and tapped.
5. Remove bracket (C) and junction box (B). Drill marked holes with a 1/8” metal drill bit.
6. Replace the junction box (B) and
attach the bracket (C) using hex socket
head capscrews (D) or sheet metal
screws (E) provided (Fig. 2).
INSTALL DASH MOUNT CONNECTOR
BREAK-AWAY INSTALLATION
NOTE: Please do not drill before making sure there is nothing behind the firewall that
may cause damage to your vehicle.
NOTE: For thin sheet metal or plastic, it may be necessary to reinforce the plastic or thin
metal to ensure bracket will not separate from the vehicle when the break-away pin is
pulled. If you are going to drill through thicker metal, use hex socket head capscrews (D).
You will need to drill a hole using a #25 drill bit and tap the hole using a 10-24 tap.
FIG. 2
FIG. 1
A
B
C
D
E
Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation BrakeBuddy.com 1-800-470-2287
After attaching your towed vehicle to your coach and all hook-ups are complete, you will need to
attach the break-away cable from the junction box to the motorhome. DO NOT ATTACH OR WRAP
THE CABLE AROUND THE TOW BAR, HITCH OR BUMPER.
1. Attach the small clip on the cable to the loop on the pull pin of the junction box, and then
attach the large clip to the motorhome. The coiled break-away cable fits all applications and
needs no adjustment.
2. Install the BrakeBuddy® in your towed vehicle
3. Before the start of every trip, pull the break-away pin to test that the break-away system
activates the BrakeBuddy®.
4. When the use of the towed vehicle is needed, simply unhook the small clip from the loop on
the pull pin of the junction box. Unplug the power cord from the BrakeBuddy® and the dash
mount. Store power cord with BrakeBuddy®.
1. Lift lever on back of unit to pull handle
up into ready position.
2. Insert “Grey” end of power cord into
front of unit.
3. Attach the lock nut and clevis
assembly to the arm extension.
4 Place BrakeBuddy® in floor of drivers
side towed vehicle.
5. Attach clevis to brake pedal.
6. Move BrakeBuddy® forward until the
arm extension is fully retracted. Make sure the
vehicle’s brake pedal is not being pressed.
7. Adjust the drivers seat forward until it is less
than a quarter inch away from the BrakeBuddy®
handle. Again, make sure the vehicles brake
pedal is not being pressed.
8. Plug in “Black” end of the power cord into Dash
Mount Connector.
9. With vehicle’s engine OFF, push the red
Auto Start Button located on top of the
BrakeBuddy®. The arm will automatically extend
/ cycle 5 times. This will remove any vacuum
stored in the brake vacuum reservoir of the
towed vehicle as well as diagnose any errors in
the system startup.
USING THE BREAK-AWAY SYSTEM
SET UP
Step 1.
Lever to raise handle
Step 2.
Insert power cord
READY POSITION
This is how the unit should look prior
to placing in floor of towed vehicle
Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation BrakeBuddy.com 1-800-470-2287
Adjust the air pressure to match the weight of your
towed vehicle. The braking pressure, or how hard your
towed vehicle will brake in tow, is adjusted by the +
/ - Buttons (A) located on top of the BrakeBuddy®. To
find the correct pressure setting specific for your towed
vehicle, please refer to the Vehicle Weight Formula
chart below. The display will adjust in increments or
decrements of 5 when held down and displays air
pressure from 10 to 75 PSI. After 5 minutes the display
will “power down.” Upon a button press, the display will
“power on.”
Choose your braking technology preference.
Full Braking Technology fully employs the brakes when
activated, taking the entire weight of the towed vehicle
o of the motorhome brakes.
Proportional Braking Technology, when activated,
performs the same braking force in the towed vehicle
that is performed in the motorhome.
Remote:
Install the AA battery (included) into the wireless remote system. Attach nonskid pad to the back
of the remote system. Place remote and nonskid pad on a suitable semi-flat surface. The nonskid
pad will secure the remote system.
If you wish to change the braking technology preference, press the Braking Mode Button (C) to
select “full” or “proportional” braking. The braking preference can be changed while traveling.
Adjust the Sensitivity either on the remote or on top of the main unit. The sensitivity is how hard
you must apply the brakes in the motorhome before the BrakeBuddy® will engage the in your
towed vehicle. The more lights that are illuminated, the easier the BrakeBuddy® will activate. Each
time BrakeBuddy is installed, the sensitivity setting remains in the last used setting. Start at setting
#4 and adjust your preferred setting as you are driving (using the remote).
For Hybrid Vehicles: At 20 PSI hybrid light
will come on. Adjust lower if needed based
on the amount of braking force preferred. (B)
UNIT OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS
B
C
A
DIAGNOSTIC FEATURES VEHICLE WEIGHT FORMULA
SYSTEM NORMAL
Everything is working properly
LOW BATTERY
Battery voltage has dropped
below 10 volts. Recharge towed
vehicle battery before traveling
ERROR - Call 1-800-470-2287
BLEED BRAKES
Depress Auto Start Button
HYBRID
Mode for vehicles with electric
power assist brakes
1,500 - 2,000 700 - 900 25 35
2,000 - 2,500 900 - 1,150 35 45
2,500 - 3,000 1,150 - 1,400 40 50
3,000 - 3,500 1,400 - 1,600 45 55
3,500 - 4,000 1,600 - 1,800 50 60
4,000 - 4,500 1,800 - 2,050
1999+ Jeep Gr. Cherokee 55 65
4,500 - 5,000 2,050 - 2,300 65 75
5,000 + 2,300 + 75 75
Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation BrakeBuddy.com 1-800-470-2287
The BrakeBuddy® Remote provides 2-way communication
from the motorhome to the towed vehicle and provides
visual indications of problems that are occurring. (Fig. 3)
F- Main Unit Error (red light will activate) Stop and check
the main unit diagnostics for error.
G- Battery Low on Remote (replace with new AA battery)
H - Breakaway Warning (red light and audible signal will
activate) Stop Immediately!
I - On / O Switch
A 12-volt DC power cord is also included. This bypasses
the on/o switch, and battery removal when using the
12-volt DC cord is not required.
REMOTE SYNCHRONIZE PROCEDURE:
This device works similarly to a universal garage door
opener. If this remote ever becomes un-synced with the
main unit, simply perform the following procedure:
1. Power up / turn on both devices
(dinghy and remote).
2. On the BrakeBuddy® unit, hold down the (+) and (_)
buttons (A) simultaneously until the Air Pressure
setting reads “LL” (Fig. 4 / E).
3. Next, with the remote, hold down the Braking
Mode (C) and Braking Sensitivity (D) buttons
simultaneously for 5 seconds.
4. Once the dinghy has completed the “link-up”
routine, the air pressure display will change from
“LL” to the last air pressure setting (# between 10
and 75).
5. Both the dinghy and coach units should be
displaying the same sensitivity setting and
sensitivity button presses on either unit should
cause both units to update to the new setting.
REMOTE OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS
E
D
A
LL
NOTE: When the BrakeBuddy® system and motorhome
are not in use, turn the remote on / o switch to the
OFF position to conserve remote battery life.
NOTE: When done towing and parked, we recommend
you unplug the BrakeBuddy® system from the towed
vehicle 12-volt receptacle. If that is undesirable,
recharge the towed vehicle battery once every 3 days
to maintain optimum battery condition.
NOTE: User has 5 seconds to synchronize the remote
once “LL” is displayed.
FIG. 3
FIG. 4
F
G
H
I
C
Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation BrakeBuddy.com 1-800-470-2287
Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation thanks you for purchasing BrakeBuddy®. A 5-year limited
warranty and a 30-day money back guarantee apply to your BrakeBuddy® and BrakeBuddy®
accessories. Call BrakeBuddy® customer service at 1-800-470-2287. We wish you safe and happy
travels.
WHAT IS COVERED AND FOR HOW LONG?
We are confident our product will perform well and therefore warrant to you, as the original retail
purchaser, for a period of five years from the date of original purchase, that your new product will
be free of mechanical and electrical defects in material and workmanship.
WHAT WILL BRAKEBUDDY® DO? HOW DO I GET SERVICE?
During the warranty period, we will repair or replace your new product (at our option) without
cost to you, which will be your exclusive remedy under this warranty. Please do not return this
product to the place of purchase. Doing so may delay the processing of your claim and our
repair of your product. Return your product postage prepaid, with proof of purchase and a short
description of the problem.
Call BrakeBuddy® Technical Service for return instructions 1-800-470-2287
LIMITED 5-YEAR WARRANTY
1. To remove the BrakeBuddy® from your towed vehicle, unplug Easy-Pull™ Power Cord from unit
and Dash Mount Connector
2. Adjust the seat back and remove the clevis
3. Disconnect (unclip) the break-away safety coil from the break-away junction box
Information to User:
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. FCC Radiation Exposure
Statement to comply with FCC RF exposure requirements in section 1.1307, a minimum
separation distance of 1.40 cm (0.6 inches) is required between the antenna and all persons. This
equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used
in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If
this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment o and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver
- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit dierent from that to which the receiver
is connected
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio / TV technician for help
REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS
CAUTION: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Hopkins Manufacturing
Corporation could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
WHAT IS NOT COVERED?
Our warranty for your product will not cover damage resulting from neglect or misuse of the
product, use of improper voltage or current, use contrary to operating instructions, or disassembly,
repair, or alteration by any person other than an authorized service station. Any implied warranty
of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose of your product is limited to the duration of
this written warranty. We shall not be liable for any incidental or consequential damages for breach
of any expressed or implied warranty on your product.
HOW YOUR STATE’S LAWS MAY APPLY:
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or the exclusion or
limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation may not apply to you.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights, which vary from
state to state.
311-0288-406 Rev. D 1/18 © 2017 Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation 1-800-470-2287
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