INSTALLATION MANUAL SPECTRUM™ BRAKE CONTROL 51170
TABLE OF CONTENTS Controls & Components page 2 Tools List page 2 Before You Begin page 3 Wiring page 3 Wiring Diagram page 4 Mounting the LED Display Rotary Knob page 5 Wiring the Plug Connector to the LED Display Knob page 6 Uninstalling the Brake Control page 7 Mounting the Main Module page 7 Modes & Indicators on the LED Display page 8 Set Manual Control Output and Brake Light Switches page 11 Initial Setup page 11 Test Drive & Adjustment page 12 Bench Test page 12 Troubleshoo
BEFORE YOU BEGIN WIRING One or more of the following may be needed to complete the installation: Disconnect the tow vehicle's negative battery terminal from its battery post before beginning the installation process. Most trucks and utility vehicles are equipped with a plug from the factory that allows quick brake control installation. Check the vehicle owner's manual for plug availability, location and installation.
WIRING DIAGRAM CURTMFG.COM • NEED ASSISTANCE? • 800.798.
MOUNTING THE LED DISPLAY ROTARY KNOB Install the LED display rotary knob before installing the main module. There are two options for mounting the LED display knob in the vehicle. Notes: Do not insert terminals into the plug connector at this time. When inserting the LED display rotary knob into the base plate, ensure the top of the LED arc is facing the upright direction. Base plate installation, drill mount option 1. Determine a suitable mounting location for the LED display knob. a.
MOUNTING THE LED DISPLAY ROTARY KNOB - CONTINUED WIRING THE PLUG CONNECTOR TO THE LED DISPLAY KNOB Base plate installation, surface adhesive mount option 1. Determine a suitable mounting location for the LED display knob. a. The LED display must be mounted securely to a solid surface. b. The LED display must be easily reached by the driver. 2. Place the base plate adhesive pad onto the base plate and adhere the base plate onto the dash in any of the four orientations (Fig 5). 3.
UNINSTALLING THE BRAKE CONTROL MOUNTING THE MAIN MODULE If you wish to uninstall the brake control, the plug connector attached to the LED display knob can be unpinned without cutting the interface cable. Using a small flat head screw driver unlatch the two locking tabs securing the locking mechanism in place (Fig 1). Once the two locking tabs are unlatched the locking mechanism can open (Fig 2).
MODES & INDICATORS ON THE LED DISPLAY The LED display shows the output setting when the control is activated. It is used to setup and monitor the brake control and can be used when trouble shooting. There are four modes of operation and three indicator sequences (shown below). See pages 9 and 10 for more information. Pressing control button switches between modes.
Manual Control (red progression) - continued Manual (red) • Pressing and holding the button during any mode activates the manual brake output • The manual output functions as time-based and ramps up over time • The red LEDs light up in sequence proportionally to the brake output • Adjust the gain in active process by rotating the knob clockwise to increase and counter-clockwise to decrease the gain while holding the button down • Releasing the button returns to the previous mode Brightness Control (white
Overload Indicator (red and yellow flashing) Sensitivity Control (blue to red progression) The sensitivity control adjusts trailer brake aggressiveness. Sensitivity adjustment has no effect on the manual control. The sensitivity control can be adjusted for individual driver preference, trailer load changes or changing road conditions.
SET MANUAL CONTROL OUTPUT AND BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES 1 2 There are two small switches located at the front of the unit, next to the port on the module. Once accessed, the switch positions can be changed using a small pointed tool. In the illustration above, the switch on the right (#2) controls the level of output available to the trailer brakes when using the manual control. The factory default setting is the 'ON' position with the switch down.
TEST DRIVE & ADJUSTMENT BENCH TEST Both the output and sensitivity can be adjusted to achieve smooth, firm stops. Output and sensitivity adjustments should only be made while stopped, with the transmission in park or neutral, parking brake applied, foot off the brake pedal, and no manual control actuation. Output and sensitivity settings will be lit a few seconds after the adjustments are made and will then go into brightness mode.
BENCH TEST - CONTINUED Brake Control Setup - continued Ensure the Spectrum™ is level to the bench surface and connect the signal wire of the bulb to the blue brake output wire of the Spectrum™. The LED display will ramp-up green to indicate it is checking calibration. This ensures power to the Spectrum™, and you can proceed to test manual control and accelerometer. Manual Control Testing Go to the output setting and rotate the LED display knob clockwise to its maximum setting.
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE Condition Problem Cause Possible Solution LED display has no LEDs lit up No power to brake control, no ground, reversed black and white wire on the main module, LED display plug connector not wired correctly Check brake control wiring LED display is lit red for more than 10 seconds Red wire connected to ground side of stoplight switch or is shorted to ground Check and repair connections (see 'Wiring' section) LED display has no LEDs lit up to show output power when brake pedal
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE - CONTINUED Condition Problem Cause Possible Solution LED display shows blue LEDs at the edges Display No connection between brake control and trailer brakes - blue circuit Confirm connection to trailer connected, confirm connector terminal positions, check trailer brakes No trailer brakes, pedal or manual (LED display has no LEDs lit up) Mis-wired trailer connector Confirm trailer connector terminal position No trailer brakes, pedal or manual (LED display flashes red and yel
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