The breakaway on our van is connected to house batteries.

I knew the van had a breakaway unit but never gave it too much thought. I would just hook it up as part of the process when travelling. I admit, the only reason I knew it had a battery was I found it when I opened a cupboard in a rather inaccessible area of the van when I was trying to resolve my last drama of the power input tripping when I used the kettle. I saw everything was flashing and did not give it a second thought.

When the wheels did not lock when the guy testing it for rego pulled the pin, the first thing he asked me was "where is the battery". He suggested I try an auto electrician as the brakes worked fine when the pedal was depressed in the tug. I saw the auto electrician and he tested the battery and said it was ok. He then checked underneath the van and informed me there was no charge going there. He then decided to change the battery as the first job as he informed me that is the usual problem. That fixed it so I went straight back to the rego man and he passed the van.

The funny thing about it was both the rego checker and the auto electrician both thought the battery was ok because of the flashing light and the voltage test. It was only after I told the auto electrician that the van was a 2012 model that I had owned for the last four years and that I had not changed the battery and that the original owner would not have either as the van had been stored for most of its initial four years.

For those that are still awake through my ramblings, the only way this would have been detected was pulling the pin. How about that!

This is an excellent post D Maxer.

I did not know what a "breakaway battery" was.

So I googled....then put 2 and  2 together.

cheers Bilbo

The tug mounted monitors that were once required by NSW reg. vehicles were just as useless at indicating battery condition as the test buttons on the break safe units as they only indicate voltage. A stuffed battery connected to a charging circuit would give a voltage that says it OK. Maybe this is why this requirement has been dropped.

Alan

There is no longer a requirement in NSW (and other states) for a battery condition monitor in the tow vehicle, according to transport NSW Technical Enquiries.

The old Inspection Document used by their inspectors was VIB6. This is now replaced by AIS 31. See below a copy of AIS 31 from their website:-

"Light trailers with breakaway brakes now inspected by ASCIS and AUVIS Purpose To advise Authorised Inspection Scheme (AIS) proprietors, nominees, alternative nominees and examiners that Authorised Safety Check Inspection Scheme (ASCIS) stations and Authorised Unregistered Vehicle Inspection Scheme (AUVIS) stations can now inspect trailers that have an Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM) of 4.5 tonne or less including those fitted with breakaway brakes, except those fitted with air or vacuum (breakaway) braking systems. Heavy Vehicle Authorised Inspection Scheme (HVAIS) stations will continue to be able to inspect these trailers. Background The new AIS Business Rules for Authorised Proprietors and Authorised Examiners (the AIS Rules) come into effect 1 October 2016. The AIS Rules were amended to include this change of vehicle category to align with Heavy Vehicle National Law and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator implementation.  Brake system definitions Hauling vehicle service brakes Power-assisted hydraulic brakes are those braking systems in which an energy source is used to provide part of the braking effort. This is normally air-assisted for a heavy vehicle and vacuum assisted for light vehicles. Power-operated brakes are those systems normally used on heavy commercial vehicles and in which the total braking effort is supplied directly by the power source. In such systems, the driver operates the system by controlling the energy source which is usually compressed air. NOTE: The essential difference between power-assisted and power-operated is that power-assisted brakes will still function even if air or vacuum is lost, whereas power-operated brakes will not. Trailer brakes Independent brakes are those brakes that are activated by the driver of the motor vehicle towing the trailer from the driving position and will operate whether or not the vehicle is moving. Over-ride brakes are those brakes that are activated by the movement of the trailer relative to the motor vehicle towing the trailer. Breakaway brakes are those brakes that operate automatically and quickly if the trailer breaks away from the towing vehicle. Maximum inspection fees There is no change to the maximum inspection fee for HVAIS for a light trailer with breakaway brakes. For ASCIS and AUVIS these trailers will be treated as a trailer with brakes. For more information refer to AIS Notice 18.
1
Test procedures. Check Method of inspection. Reason for rejection 1. Battery and associated wiring Visual 1. Battery insecure 2. Wiring is not secured at 600mm intervals 3. Insulation is damaged 4. Wiring fouling moving parts 2. Earth return from the trailer to the hauling unit a) Visual b) Disconnect trailer from the hauling unit With the trailer disconnected, the brakes on the trailer do not operate correctly 3. Earth return from brake foundation unit to chassis Visual Missing or damaged direct positive earth system 4. Breakaway protection system operation Disconnect breakaway switch plug/cable from hauling unit 1. Trailer brakes do not apply immediately when the breakaway switch plug/cable is disconnected from hauling unit 2. Trailer brakes do not remain applied for at least 15 minutes 6. Trailer brakes can be applied from the drivers seated position Visual Trailer brakes cannot be applied by the driver whilst retaining normal driving position 7. Check any hydraulic brake controller for leaks Visual  Any indication of an hydraulic leak 8. Presence of controller override device Visual Missing or inoperative control 9. Braking efficiency a) Use of Roller Brake Testing Machine in accordance with VIB 28 b) Where a Roller Brake Testing Machine is not available, test in accordance with Rules 181.01, 181.02, 181.03 and 181.04* of Rules for AIS (ASCIS)  * where fitted, parking brakes must comply with Rule 181.04 1. Performance is not in accordance with VIB 28
 2. Performance is not in accordance with Rules 181.01, 181.02, 181.03 and 181.04* of Rules for AIS (ASCIS)  * where fitted, parking brakes must comply with Rule 181.04
 
 
 
AIS Notice 31  RMS 16.434 2
Inspection procedures The following Vehicle Inspectors Bulletin (VIB) and Vehicle Standards Information (VSI) should be used as guidance when inspecting any light trailer: VSI 22 Electric Brakes fitted to Large Trailers VSI 52 Certification of new trailers up to and including 4.5 tonnes ATM VSB 1 Building small trailers.
 
Further information For more information, please visit the Roads and Maritimes website.
 
Technical Enquiries unit M PO Box 1120, Parramatta NSW 2124 T 1300 137 302  F 02 8837 0037  E technical.enquiries@rms.nsw.gov.au "

How do we download the pdf file?

Laurie