rickeieio Posted March 3, 2016 Report Share Posted March 3, 2016 Can any one supply me with a working contact for BluDot Braking systems? I've been trying to reach them, and they don't answer phones, return calls, or answer emails. Are they still in business? I've tried 4 different extensions on their phone system, at different times of day, and can't get through. Perhaps they're doing so well they don't want any more business? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted March 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2016 Wouldn't you know, they just emailed me.............yes, that's egg on my face. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted March 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2016 So, after BluDot replied (once) to my email, they have stopped responding. I tried to call several times and never got a real person. They're only open 8:00a to 4:00p. What a way to run a business......NOT. So, as much as I'd like to try their products, it appears I need to look elsewhere. I have three Dexter axles, rated at 6k each, with Dexter hydraulic disk brakes. What are my best options to replace or eliminate my failed MaxBrake controller? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SIBERNUT Posted March 11, 2016 Report Share Posted March 11, 2016 Absolutely BLUDOT. If not them, then the Hayes air actuated controller. I ran a test with Hayes, Prodigy & something else all stacked on my dash. Switched outputs between them, Hayes was fastest response time. I had no problem a few yrs ago getting them, very helpful. You can save a few bucks by finding your own air tank, maybe one that the shape etc fits your available location better. Maybe $10 at a yard, but has to be big enough volume. They'll tell you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark and Dale Bruss Posted March 11, 2016 Report Share Posted March 11, 2016 What are my best options to replace or eliminate my failed MaxBrake controller? Another option is the DirecLink Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoDirectionHome Posted March 11, 2016 Report Share Posted March 11, 2016 +1 for DirectLink Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted March 12, 2016 Report Share Posted March 12, 2016 I'd use Directlink if not using BluDot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPL Posted March 12, 2016 Report Share Posted March 12, 2016 Does that complete $3800 for the Directlink setup need to be ordered to replace elec/ over hyd disks on a elec set of axles? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaHybrid Posted March 12, 2016 Report Share Posted March 12, 2016 Another controller question, I see that Directlink has a Freightliner connection but what about other trucks like Volvo and Kenworth? I am also curious how it will give a variable signal to the brake servo with the brakes on the truck being air brakes. I will be needing to make this same decision for a controller on a new truck and am curious as to what everyone would get or recommend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark and Dale Bruss Posted March 12, 2016 Report Share Posted March 12, 2016 There are a few Volvo owners on this Forum with DirecLink, Trey Selden being one of them. The DirecLink controller gets its signals to apply brakes from the ECM. There is really no variable signal for electric/hydraulic brakes. They are on of off as the service brakes of the truck are applied. This was how the MaxBrake worked using an air pressure sensor in the brake lines. BlueDot uses air pressure in the truck brakes lines to open a valve in the trailer to apply pressure from the air tank in the trailer to the hydraulic servo, an on/off action also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaHybrid Posted March 12, 2016 Report Share Posted March 12, 2016 Mark, Are you sure about the on/off action? I have electric over hydraulic brakes and the controllers I have used vary the voltage to the brake servo to allow the braking force to be proportional to the truck. I might have misunderstood how these things work though and I'm not too old to learn (just too old to remember what I learn). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark and Dale Bruss Posted March 12, 2016 Report Share Posted March 12, 2016 Electric over hydraulic, pump on, pressure to brakes, pump off, no pressure. There is no variable pump pressure. The variable settings of brake controllers are for electric drum brakes. The hydraulic servos pretend to be electric drum brakes supplying what appears to be drum brake magnets, but the pump is on or off. The smart controllers like BrakeSmart, MaxBrake, and DirecLink may send on/off pulses to simulate a variable application of the brakes but it is not done with voltage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoDirectionHome Posted March 12, 2016 Report Share Posted March 12, 2016 Here's a link to a review: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f439/direclink-brake-controller-86877.html Easier than me doing a lot of typing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrap Posted March 12, 2016 Report Share Posted March 12, 2016 From what I've inferred from here in the past, it uses the rate of change of 1939 wheel speed. The problem is that there are a lot of wheel speeds on the bus and you are SOL if you don't have the right one.. i do, however, suspect that it is more ABS brand and model # related than truck mfgr related but that is just a guess. Regardless, the power and data plug behind the glovebox we optioned on your spec GH was for this. You'd plug it in behind the glovebox instead of it taking up your diagnostic plug for the rest of the trucks life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted January 15, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2018 So, to wrap this one up, today was our first time to actually pull with the BluDot operating. I like it, a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted January 15, 2018 Report Share Posted January 15, 2018 I really like ours also. Sweet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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