Getting Power to SMI DUO Braking System on 2017 Ford Focus
Question:
Installing SMI DUO proportional braking system on 2017 Ford Focus. Looking at your video, it appears you are connecting the system to the positive terminal on the battery and also attach to the negative battery chassis ground lug. Because the Focus must be disconnected from the negative battery terminal, how does the braking system get + and - 12 volt power? We have cutoff switches on both the negative battery post and the positive battery post to make sure no juice makes its way to the vehicle wiring which would possibly destroy the transmission. That's the first question. The second question is, why is the SMI braking system being activated when the turn signals are used? Which wire is connected wrong? The SMI braking system works fine when I push the motorhome's brake, but it also is being activated when I use a turn signal. With each turn signal blink, the towed vehicle's brake pedal is punished by the SMI braking system. We must have some wire wrongly attached somewhere. Any help?
asked by: David L
Expert Reply:
I spoke with a representative of SMI, and they informed me that when using their Stay-IN-Play DUO, # SM99251, you should disconnect the positive cable from the battery, not the negative cable, despite what the owner's manual says. Then you should run the power wire between the positive post and battery disconnect.
I also asked SMI about the braking system being activated when the turn signals are used. They said it was likely that this was happening because the sensitivity knob is set too high. Take a look at the instruction manual, which I have included a link to, and look at "Step 12: Adjusting the G-Force Controller," and that should eliminate the problem for you.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Demco Stay-IN-Play Duo Flat Tow Brake System for RVs w/ Hydraulic Brakes - Proportional
- Tow Bar Braking Systems
- Brake Systems
- Proportional System
- One Time Set-Up
- Fixed System
- Power Assist Brake Compatible
- Hydraulic Brakes
- Demco
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Continue Researching
- Shop: Base Plate for Tow Bar
- Shop: Vehicle Tow Bar Brake System
- Shop: Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Towed Vehicles
- Shop: Vehicle Tow Bar Wiring
- Shop: Demco Stay-IN-Play Duo Flat Tow Brake System for RVs w/ Hydraulic Brakes - Proportional
- Shop: Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Shop: Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Shop: Roadmaster Nighthawk All-Terrain Tow Bar for Blue Ox Base Plate - Non-Binding - LEDs - RV Mount - 8K
- Shop: Demco Stay-IN-Play Duo Braking System for RVs w/ Hydraulic Brakes - Wireless Monitor - Proportional
- Shop: Blue Ox Patriot Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional
- Video: Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit Review
- Video: Roadmaster Brake-Lite Relay Kit Installation - 2021 Ford Ranger
- Video: Blue Ox Base Plate Kit Installation - 2021 Ford Ranger
- Video: Roadmaster Universal Diode Wiring Kit Installation - 2021 Ford Ranger
- Video: Demco SBS Stay-IN-Play DUO Braking System Installation - 2021 Ford Ranger
- Q&A: Choosing Between the Brake Buddy Select 3 and the Blue Ox Patriot Supplemental Braking System
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Video: Blue Ox Base Plate Kit Installation - 2014 Ford Fiesta
- Video: Blue Ox Base Plate Installation - 2012 Ford Fiesta
- Search Results: diode wiring kits
- Search Results: dm86vr
- Search Results: sm99251
- Search Results: invisibrake 8700
- Search Results: demco sm99251
- Search Results: rm~154
- Search Results: rm~677
- Q&A: Differences between Roadmaster Tow Defenders
- Q&A: What is A Base Plate Kit in Relation to Roadmaster Tow Defender # RM-4700 And # RM-4750
- Q&A: Which Roadmaster Vehicle Protector Fits Their Base Plates without Crossbar
- Q&A: Is The Blue Ox Patriot # BLU37TR The Same As The BRK2022