Mechanical reverse lockout troubles

[ghost640]

Hi all - this is a great forum, and I've learned quite a bit about actuators. I have a unique problem related to the reverse lockout that I haven't found in searching the forum.

My surge brakes will engage while backing up, even when I'm using the pin to override the brakes. This has happened on several occasions, and not necessarily backing uphill (occurs on level but bumpy ground). I can back up 10-12 feet before the brakes engage, so it is not related to 'built up' brake line pressure.

I have a soleniod lockout, but it is not currently not hooked up (I learned how that works last night!). But it seems that a mechanical pin that prevents the surge mechanism from shifting should override anything else. What don't I get about this - is there an adjustment I can do?

Any help is appreciated! I have a call in to Tiedown, and will post any response I get from them; they did not have an immediate answer for me.

Thanks!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Mechanical reverse lockout troubles

are you sure you are getting the pin in the right postion. which wiring connector are you using, 4 pin, there is a 5 pin made that you just connect the 5th pin to the back up lights and the acutator. it's just a simple matter of resplicing the wires, and splicing into the back up lights wire. it's at the bottom of this page. http://www.etrailer.com/faq/wiring.aspx

 

[ghost640]

Re: Mechanical reverse lockout troubles

Yes, there's an obvious place for a pin that prevents the actuator from moving foward. One thought I had is that the diameter of the pin is small, maybe 1/4 in, compared with the hole in the actuator, which is almost 1/2 in. - I wonder if there is just enough play that the actuator moves far enough forward to engage.

I do plan to wire up the solenoid, but I don't think that will fix the problem - it seems the pin should provide a reverse lockout independent of the solenoid.

 

[ghost640]

Re: Mechanical reverse lockout troubles

Oops, forgot to answer your other question - currently have 4 way flat on the car, trailer side has 5 wires, the solenoid one unused.

I am assuming that a non-powered solenoid would have no effect (correct?)

And thanks for the wiring link!

 

[dingbat]

Re: Mechanical reverse lockout troubles

Yes, there's an obvious place for a pin that prevents the actuator from moving foward. One thought I had is that the diameter of the pin is small, maybe 1/4 in, compared with the hole in the actuator, which is almost 1/2 in. - I wonder if there is just enough play that the actuator moves far enough forward to engage.

Somethings not right. The lockout pin on my Tiedown coupler was an exact fit to the hole 1/4". Even had a locking "dent ball" on the end of the pin to prevent it from coming loose.

 

[ghost640]

Re: Mechanical reverse lockout troubles

Somethings not right. The lockout pin on my Tiedown coupler was an exact fit to the hole 1/4". Even had a locking "dent ball" on the end of the pin to prevent it from coming loose.

Interesting - I just went and measured the reverse lockout hole - it's 3/8". The "boat side" of the actuator has a semi-circular cutout that surrounds the hole for the pin.

I have been using the 1/4" pin - this always struck me as cheesy, because it just dangles through the hole - the pin doesn't go through to the other side (there is a hole on the far side, but smaller than the pin diameter - so the 'dent ball' is no use here). It makes me wonder if there was originally a different pin that fit the hole and inserts on the far side.

Thanks for the note - I'll post a picture later...

 

[ghost640]

Re: Mechanical reverse lockout troubles

Here is a picture of the reverse lockout setup - the hole exceeds the diameter of the pin by an 1/8"

 

[ghost640]

Re: Mechanical reverse lockout troubles

Another view, labradoodle included for scale.

 

[ghost640]

Re: Mechanical reverse lockout troubles

I didn't realize this would be such a mystery!

I did get a response from Tiedown - they believe that the cutout in the housing surrounding the lockout hole is the reason, I've copied their response below:

--from Tiedown
Thank you for including the photo. I believe I have found the problem. There should be no cut on the actuator were the pin goes for backing up. This is allowing the brakes to engage in certain backing motion. That is why it seems to happen more on a grade than on level ground. In your photo it shows the housing has a groove or cut out were the pin is inserted for backing up. That is your problem spot. The link attached is to the owners manual for this model actuator http://www.tiedown.com/pdf/c100.pdf
On page 5 you can see the housing for the actuator and you will note that there is no cut out. Hope this answers your questions and please feel free to contact me if you have anymore questions.
----

But I wonder - the cutout is definitely fabricated into the housing - which makes me wonder why it was there in the first place. Comments?