Troubleshooting A Demco Stay-In-Play Indicator Light That Only Activates When Not Towing

Updated 04/24/2023 | Published 04/22/2023

Products Featured in This Question

Demco Stay-IN-Play Duo Flat Tow Brake System for RVs w/ Hydraulic Brakes - Proportional

(754)

$1175.00

Roadmaster Universal Stop Light Switch Kit

(622)

$126.53

Demco Wireless Coachlink Braking Monitor for Flat Tow Brake Systems

(97)

$269.00

Question:

Demco stay and play duo is installed. Controller adjusted per manual instructions. Controller switch is on. When breakaway switch is pulled, pump runs, toad brake pedal activates. Drove the rig with toad attached. LED does not light up when RV brake is applied. Increased sensitivity on controller. Can feel the toad brakes when the RV brakes, but still no LED light. Disconnected toad. Pull breakaway switch, toad brake pedal activates, LED light comes on. Sit in toad, press brake pedal, LED comes on. Im stumped. Why is the LED indicator not working while towing?

asked by: Mike D

Expert Reply:

The only thing I can think of that could cause an issue like this is that you have indicator light wired incorrectly to something that has power when not connected to the motorhome.

In the typical setup you would connect the power for the indicator light to the cold side of the brake light switch, which for a 2022 Ford Maverick would be a purple/white wire. The ground for the switch would be wired to the ground on the G-Force controller of the Demco SBS Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking System # SM99251. In this setup the indicator would only have power when the brake pedal is depressed and only have ground when the G-Force controller is powered on.

If you have the wiring correctly installed then there are three other options to circumvent this situation. Option 1 would be to switch the power wire for the indicator light from the brake light switch wire to the blue wire of the operating unit so that it only gets power when the unit is activated. The only problem with this is that if the pulley ever broke the brake light indicator wouldn't know and would light up thinking that the brakes are being applied because the main unit says to apply the brakes.

Option 2 would be to rewire the power wire from the indicator to a universal stop light switch # RM-751000 so that it only has power when the brake pedal is depressed.

Option 3 would be to install the Demco SBS Wireless Coachlink for Supplemental Braking Systems System # SM99945 which would wire into your system and send a signal to the monitor, which you plug into a 12v outlet in your motorhome.