SMI Brake Control - Coach Stop Light Switch

[Curt Sprenger]

I'm at the coach part of the SMI brake control install. I need to locate
the cold side of one of the two stop light switches. I opened up the
drivers front panel. I can see the stop light switches, they are located
next to the dual brake valve, but I can not get to them. Bennie
suggested getting to them from the generator compartment. That doesn't
work.

Is there a floor plate in the drivers compartment that can be removed to
gain access to the dual brake valve and those switches?

Or, it might be easier to locate a brake wire that gets hot when the
stop light switch is activated, and use that wire to activate the SMI unit.

All input is appreciated.

--
Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif.

[Gardner Yeaw]

Curt,
Doesn't your coach have a toad connector on the back already. I
thought that was standard?

Anyway, The SMI is only sensing the presence of 12 volts and not
putting a load on it, so anywhere you get it from (brake light, toad
connector, brake switch) should be fine.

I have a toad connector on the back of my coach so that is where I
will get the signal for my SMI.

Gardner
78FC33



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Curt Sprenger
wrote:
>
> I'm at the coach part of the SMI brake control install. I need to
locate
> the cold side of one of the two stop light switches. I opened up
the
> drivers front panel. I can see the stop light switches, they are
located
> next to the dual brake valve, but I can not get to them. Bennie
> suggested getting to them from the generator compartment. That
doesn't
> work.
>
> Is there a floor plate in the drivers compartment that can be
removed to
> gain access to the dual brake valve and those switches?
>
> Or, it might be easier to locate a brake wire that gets hot when
the
> stop light switch is activated, and use that wire to activate the
SMI unit.
>
> All input is appreciated.
>
> --
> Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif.
>

[Curt Sprenger]

Gardner,
Right. I'll find a place, such as what Dick Hayden recommended, and use
that.

Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif.


Gardner Yeaw wrote:

> Curt,
> Doesn't your coach have a toad connector on the back already. I
> thought that was standard?
>
> Anyway, The SMI is only sensing the presence of 12 volts and not
> putting a load on it, so anywhere you get it from (brake light, toad
> connector, brake switch) should be fine.
>
> I have a toad connector on the back of my coach so that is where I
> will get the signal for my SMI.
>
> Gardner
> 78FC33
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> , Curt Sprenger
> wrote:
> >
> > I'm at the coach part of the SMI brake control install. I need to
> locate
> > the cold side of one of the two stop light switches. I opened up
> the
> > drivers front panel. I can see the stop light switches, they are
> located
> > next to the dual brake valve, but I can not get to them. Bennie
> > suggested getting to them from the generator compartment. That
> doesn't
> > work.
> >
> > Is there a floor plate in the drivers compartment that can be
> removed to
> > gain access to the dual brake valve and those switches?
> >
> > Or, it might be easier to locate a brake wire that gets hot when
> the
> > stop light switch is activated, and use that wire to activate the
> SMI unit.
> >
> > All input is appreciated.
> >
> > --
> > Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif.
> >
>
>

[Gardner Yeaw]

Curt,
I have since discovered that my brake and turn signal lights are
seperate on my Jeep. I may have to come up with a little 'custom'
wiring to make this work. I am concerned that the center light on the
jeep will not work, or will blink with the turn signal. It looks like
my advise doesn't work so well for me. I really didn't want to go
with a light bar, I have enough stuff to carry around and set up
already. I just want to plug the Jeep in and be done with it. I guess
I will need to find the brake light switch after all!

Gardner
78FC33

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Curt Sprenger
wrote:
>
> Gardner,
> Right. I'll find a place, such as what Dick Hayden recommended, and
use
> that.
>
> Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif.
>
>
> Gardner Yeaw wrote:
>
> > Curt,
> > Doesn't your coach have a toad connector on the back already. I
> > thought that was standard?
> >
> > Anyway, The SMI is only sensing the presence of 12 volts and not
> > putting a load on it, so anywhere you get it from (brake light,
toad
> > connector, brake switch) should be fine.
> >
> > I have a toad connector on the back of my coach so that is where I
> > will get the signal for my SMI.
> >
> > Gardner
> > 78FC33
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > , Curt Sprenger
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > I'm at the coach part of the SMI brake control install. I need
to
> > locate
> > > the cold side of one of the two stop light switches. I opened up
> > the
> > > drivers front panel. I can see the stop light switches, they are
> > located
> > > next to the dual brake valve, but I can not get to them. Bennie
> > > suggested getting to them from the generator compartment. That
> > doesn't
> > > work.
> > >
> > > Is there a floor plate in the drivers compartment that can be
> > removed to
> > > gain access to the dual brake valve and those switches?
> > >
> > > Or, it might be easier to locate a brake wire that gets hot when
> > the
> > > stop light switch is activated, and use that wire to activate
the
> > SMI unit.
> > >
> > > All input is appreciated.
> > >
> > > --
> > > Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif.
> > >
> >
> >
>

[Curt Sprenger]

Is the Jeep lighting a "foreign" system. I recall needing an adapter to
wire a 4 wire import system to a 3 wire utility trailer. Local auto
parts stores carry the adapters.

Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif.

Gardner Yeaw wrote:

> Curt,
> I have since discovered that my brake and turn signal lights are
> seperate on my Jeep. I may have to come up with a little 'custom'
> wiring to make this work. I am concerned that the center light on the
> jeep will not work, or will blink with the turn signal. It looks like
> my advise doesn't work so well for me. I really didn't want to go
> with a light bar, I have enough stuff to carry around and set up
> already. I just want to plug the Jeep in and be done with it. I guess
> I will need to find the brake light switch after all!
>
> Gardner
> 78FC33
>
>
>
>

[Gardner Yeaw]

Curt,
Yes there is an adapter (called a converter) for connecting a
three wire trailer to the 4 wire Jeep. The converter uses some kind
of logic to combine the brake and turn signals to use a single light
on each side, but in this circumstance I am going the other way.
There is no simple logic that can seperate the signal. I will need to
get the individual signals for turn and brake at the source. The
brake signal is straight forward, but the turn signal may not be as
easy. Perhaps I am complicating things too much and should just hang
a couple of magnetic lights on the bumper and call it a day.

Gardner
78FC33


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Curt Sprenger
wrote:
>
> Is the Jeep lighting a "foreign" system. I recall needing an
adapter to
> wire a 4 wire import system to a 3 wire utility trailer. Local auto
> parts stores carry the adapters.
>
> Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif.
>
> Gardner Yeaw wrote:
>
> > Curt,
> > I have since discovered that my brake and turn signal lights are
> > seperate on my Jeep. I may have to come up with a little 'custom'
> > wiring to make this work. I am concerned that the center light on
the
> > jeep will not work, or will blink with the turn signal. It looks
like
> > my advise doesn't work so well for me. I really didn't want to go
> > with a light bar, I have enough stuff to carry around and set up
> > already. I just want to plug the Jeep in and be done with it. I
guess
> > I will need to find the brake light switch after all!
> >
> > Gardner
> > 78FC33
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

[Richard Hayden]

Curt,
Are you now not going to use the light bar? If not, I can send you my hand
drawings from when I hooked up our '96 Jeep Cherokee.

Dick Hayden - '87 PT 38 - Lake Stevens, WA
----- Original Message -----
From: Gardner Yeaw
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2006 8:47 AM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: SMI Brake Control - Coach Stop Light Switch


Curt,
Yes there is an adapter (called a converter) for connecting a
three wire trailer to the 4 wire Jeep. The converter uses some kind
of logic to combine the brake and turn signals to use a single light
on each side, but in this circumstance I am going the other way.
There is no simple logic that can seperate the signal. I will need to
get the individual signals for turn and brake at the source. The
brake signal is straight forward, but the turn signal may not be as
easy. Perhaps I am complicating things too much and should just hang
a couple of magnetic lights on the bumper and call it a day.

Gardner
78FC33

--- In
WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Curt
Sprenger
wrote:
>
> Is the Jeep lighting a "foreign" system. I recall needing an
adapter to
> wire a 4 wire import system to a 3 wire utility trailer. Local auto
> parts stores carry the adapters.
>
> Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif.
>
> Gardner Yeaw wrote:
>
> > Curt,
> > I have since discovered that my brake and turn signal lights are
> > seperate on my Jeep. I may have to come up with a little 'custom'
> > wiring to make this work. I am concerned that the center light on
the
> > jeep will not work, or will blink with the turn signal. It looks
like
> > my advise doesn't work so well for me. I really didn't want to go
> > with a light bar, I have enough stuff to carry around and set up
> > already. I just want to plug the Jeep in and be done with it. I
guess
> > I will need to find the brake light switch after all!
> >
> > Gardner
> > 78FC33
> >
> >
> >
> >
>





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Curt Sprenger]

Dick,
Just got back in town. Had to run (drive) over to AZ for a day. I'm
going to use the light bar for now. Please send the drawings and I'll
keep that on hand for the future. Thanks.

Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif.



Richard Hayden wrote:

> Curt,
> Are you now not going to use the light bar? If not, I can send you my
> hand drawings from when I hooked up our '96 Jeep Cherokee.
>
> Dick Hayden - '87 PT 38 - Lake Stevens, WA
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Gardner Yeaw > >
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>
com
> >
> Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2006 8:47 AM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: SMI Brake Control - Coach Stop Light
> Switch
>
> Curt,
> Yes there is an adapter (called a converter) for connecting a
> three wire trailer to the 4 wire Jeep. The converter uses some kind
> of logic to combine the brake and turn signals to use a single light
> on each side, but in this circumstance I am going the other way.
> There is no simple logic that can seperate the signal. I will need to
> get the individual signals for turn and brake at the source. The
> brake signal is straight forward, but the turn signal may not be as
> easy. Perhaps I am complicating things too much and should just hang
> a couple of magnetic lights on the bumper and call it a day.
>
> Gardner
> 78FC33
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>
com
> >, Curt Sprenger
> wrote:
> >
> > Is the Jeep lighting a "foreign" system. I recall needing an
> adapter to
> > wire a 4 wire import system to a 3 wire utility trailer. Local auto
> > parts stores carry the adapters.
> >
> > Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif.
> >
> > Gardner Yeaw wrote:
> >
> > > Curt,
> > > I have since discovered that my brake and turn signal lights are
> > > seperate on my Jeep. I may have to come up with a little 'custom'
> > > wiring to make this work. I am concerned that the center light on
> the
> > > jeep will not work, or will blink with the turn signal. It looks
> like
> > > my advise doesn't work so well for me. I really didn't want to go
> > > with a light bar, I have enough stuff to carry around and set up
> > > already. I just want to plug the Jeep in and be done with it. I
> guess
> > > I will need to find the brake light switch after all!
> > >
> > > Gardner
> > > 78FC33
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>

[Richard Hayden]

Curt,
I did that job several years ago and all I really have is a connection chart
showing which wires and colors go to which connector pins from the coach to the
cable to the car. The drawings were from Roadmaster. They were very good and
helped immensely. As I now recall, I had to open up the rear of the Jeep to
access the wiring and install the diodes. I would toady do it differently today
by putting light sockets in the existing fixtures. I haven't had one bit of
trouble but I think it would be a cleaner system and also avoid the extra cost
of the diodes and the potential troubles associated with them. Sorry if I
mislead you about the drawings but I just didn't remember where they came from.
After making the grand gesture I looked through that stuff and discovered what
really happened. Usually on a project I will make a drawing just to keep track
of the parts and systems. The Roadmaster instructions were excellent and I
didn't apparently have to make my own "cheat sheets".

Dick Hayden - '87 PT 38 - Lake Stevens, WA
----- Original Message -----
From: Curt Sprenger
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2006 7:54 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: SMI Brake Control - Coach Stop Light
Switch


Dick,
Just got back in town. Had to run (drive) over to AZ for a day. I'm
going to use the light bar for now. Please send the drawings and I'll
keep that on hand for the future. Thanks.

Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif.

Richard Hayden wrote:

> Curt,
> Are you now not going to use the light bar? If not, I can send you my
> hand drawings from when I hooked up our '96 Jeep Cherokee.
>
> Dick Hayden - '87 PT 38 - Lake Stevens, WA
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Gardner Yeaw
> >
> To:
WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>
com
> >
> Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2006 8:47 AM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: SMI Brake Control - Coach Stop Light
> Switch
>
> Curt,
> Yes there is an adapter (called a converter) for connecting a
> three wire trailer to the 4 wire Jeep. The converter uses some kind
> of logic to combine the brake and turn signals to use a single light
> on each side, but in this circumstance I am going the other way.
> There is no simple logic that can seperate the signal. I will need to
> get the individual signals for turn and brake at the source. The
> brake signal is straight forward, but the turn signal may not be as
> easy. Perhaps I am complicating things too much and should just hang
> a couple of magnetic lights on the bumper and call it a day.
>
> Gardner
> 78FC33
>
> --- In
WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>
com
> >, Curt Sprenger
> wrote:
> >
> > Is the Jeep lighting a "foreign" system. I recall needing an
> adapter to
> > wire a 4 wire import system to a 3 wire utility trailer. Local auto
> > parts stores carry the adapters.
> >
> > Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif.
> >
> > Gardner Yeaw wrote:
> >
> > > Curt,
> > > I have since discovered that my brake and turn signal lights are
> > > seperate on my Jeep. I may have to come up with a little 'custom'
> > > wiring to make this work. I am concerned that the center light on
> the
> > > jeep will not work, or will blink with the turn signal. It looks
> like
> > > my advise doesn't work so well for me. I really didn't want to go
> > > with a light bar, I have enough stuff to carry around and set up
> > > already. I just want to plug the Jeep in and be done with it. I
> guess
> > > I will need to find the brake light switch after all!
> > >
> > > Gardner
> > > 78FC33
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Curt Sprenger]

No problem. I can look that up when I need the information.

Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif.



Richard Hayden wrote:

> Curt,
> I did that job several years ago and all I really have is a connection
> chart showing which wires and colors go to which connector pins from
> the coach to the cable to the car. The drawings were from Roadmaster.
> They were very good and helped immensely. As I now recall, I had to
> open up the rear of the Jeep to access the wiring and install the
> diodes. I would toady do it differently today by putting light sockets
> in the existing fixtures. I haven't had one bit of trouble but I think
> it would be a cleaner system and also avoid the extra cost of the
> diodes and the potential troubles associated with them. Sorry if I
> mislead you about the drawings but I just didn't remember where they
> came from. After making the grand gesture I looked through that stuff
> and discovered what really happened. Usually on a project I will make
> a drawing just to keep track of the parts and systems. The Roadmaster
> instructions were excellent and I didn't apparently have to make my
> own "cheat sheets".
>
> Dick Hayden - '87 PT 38 - Lake Stevens, WA
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Curt Sprenger > >
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>
com
> >
> Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2006 7:54 PM
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: SMI Brake Control - Coach Stop
> Light Switch
>
> Dick,
> Just got back in town. Had to run (drive) over to AZ for a day. I'm
> going to use the light bar for now. Please send the drawings and I'll
> keep that on hand for the future. Thanks.
>
> Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif.
>
> Richard Hayden wrote:
>
> > Curt,
> > Are you now not going to use the light bar? If not, I can send you my
> > hand drawings from when I hooked up our '96 Jeep Cherokee.
> >
> > Dick Hayden - '87 PT 38 - Lake Stevens, WA
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Gardner Yeaw > > >
> > >
> > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>
com
> >
> >
>
com
>
com
> >
> > >
> > Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2006 8:47 AM
> > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: SMI Brake Control - Coach Stop Light
> > Switch
> >
> > Curt,
> > Yes there is an adapter (called a converter) for connecting a
> > three wire trailer to the 4 wire Jeep. The converter uses some kind
> > of logic to combine the brake and turn signals to use a single light
> > on each side, but in this circumstance I am going the other way.
> > There is no simple logic that can seperate the signal. I will need to
> > get the individual signals for turn and brake at the source. The
> > brake signal is straight forward, but the turn signal may not be as
> > easy. Perhaps I am complicating things too much and should just hang
> > a couple of magnetic lights on the bumper and call it a day.
> >
> > Gardner
> > 78FC33
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>
com
> >
> >
>
com
>
com
> >
> > >, Curt Sprenger
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Is the Jeep lighting a "foreign" system. I recall needing an
> > adapter to
> > > wire a 4 wire import system to a 3 wire utility trailer. Local auto
> > > parts stores carry the adapters.
> > >
> > > Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif.
> > >
> > > Gardner Yeaw wrote:
> > >
> > > > Curt,
> > > > I have since discovered that my brake and turn signal lights are
> > > > seperate on my Jeep. I may have to come up with a little 'custom'
> > > > wiring to make this work. I am concerned that the center light on
> > the
> > > > jeep will not work, or will blink with the turn signal. It looks
> > like
> > > > my advise doesn't work so well for me. I really didn't want to go
> > > > with a light bar, I have enough stuff to carry around and set up
> > > > already. I just want to plug the Jeep in and be done with it. I
> > guess
> > > > I will need to find the brake light switch after all!
> > > >
> > > > Gardner
> > > > 78FC33
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>