P3 ashtray install

[Mathew Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Mathew]

Hi Guys

This is a Different take on using the ashtray spot for the brake controller. I bought another ashtray from the wreckers, $35 as opposed to $109 from toyota. Using a die grinder ground out a hole for the P3 to fit inside. The cable harness can be plugged in through a hole in the rear of the tray. Having two trays I simply remove the standard tray retrieve the harness plug, connect it to the controller and slide it in to go towing. This gives the uncluttered look for 95% of driving.

Mathew.

Controller tray in stalled.



Controller showing harness connection.


Side by side.


Recess for manual lever.

[LenGXV6 Member Find all posts View Profile Close LenGXV6]

Re: P3 ashtray install

Clever Idea

May have to pinch the idea when I fit my brake controller (when I get it that is)

[droggy Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close droggy]

Re: P3 ashtray install

great idea, thanks for showing us,too bad i've allready fitted mine

[bygrave Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close bygrave]

Re: P3 ashtray install

great idea
just fitted mine the same way

ps
how did you secure the brake unit in the ash tray it self
cheers

[Mathew Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Mathew]

Re: P3 ashtray install

Was planing to use countersunk srcews through the side, with approx 6mm spacers between the tray wall and unit.
But when I trial fitted the unit I found the fit was snug enough that the unit didn't move so I didn't bother.
Can always fit later it it loosen's up.

Mat

[rhs58 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close rhs58]

Re: P3 ashtray install

Very tidy. Impressive.

[Prado BB Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Prado BB]

Re: P3 ashtray install

damn, I just installed mine. Now I have to start again. Thanks for the detail.

[Troutlips Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Troutlips]

Re: P3 ashtray install

Hi Guys

This is a Different take on using the ashtray spot for the brake controller. I bought another ashtray from the wreckers, $35 as opposed to $109 from toyota. Using a die grinder ground out a hole for the P3 to fit inside. The cable harness can be plugged in through a hole in the rear of the tray. Having two trays I simply remove the standard tray retrieve the harness plug, connect it to the controller and slide it in to go towing. This gives the uncluttered look for 95% of driving.

Mathew.

Controller tray in stalled.



Controller showing harness connection.


Side by side.


Recess for manual lever.

Hi Matt
I have just fitted my P3 into the ash tray as you did, where did you pick up the brake wire from? there is a 12v power supply (when brake is activated) at the plug at the back of the brake pedal (green wire) which I have used.
I ran a seperate HD negative back to the battery & the positive I have run through a 30 breaker mounted under the bonnet to the battery. I did not realise until after that the unit is powered on all the time with no power off function, so I am thinking of picking up power from the cig lighter.
I have not tested it yet so I am hoping it is all good, the only concern I have is I heard of possible computer interferrence probs by using the brake wire at the pedal, some have run a seperate wire to the tail lights & some have said it will be OK where I spliced in.?? Who knows, time will tell.
Andrew

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Re: P3 ashtray install

Hi Matt
I have just fitted my P3 into the ash tray as you did, where did you pick up the brake wire from? there is a 12v power supply (when brake is activated) at the plug at the back of the brake pedal (green wire) which I have used.
I ran a seperate HD negative back to the battery & the positive I have run through a 30 breaker mounted under the bonnet to the battery. I did not realise until after that the unit is powered on all the time with no power off function, so I am thinking of picking up power from the cig lighter.
I have not tested it yet so I am hoping it is all good, the only concern I have is I heard of possible computer interferrence probs by using the brake wire at the pedal, some have run a seperate wire to the tail lights & some have said it will be OK where I spliced in.?? Who knows, time will tell.
Andrew

I would keep it direct to the battery, it turns itself off after 15 mins

[Mathew Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Mathew]

Re: P3 ashtray install

Stick with the 30 amp breaker @ the battery like D4D said. The wiring to the cig lighter nor fuse will be heavy enough.
I did mine the same way.

[KevinD4D Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close KevinD4D]

Re: P3 ashtray install

Just as a matter of interest how many who have the P3 connected it directly to the brake pedal vs tail lights?
I went to the brake pedal but am concerned about the ECU and any mis-readings it may get.

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Re: P3 ashtray install

Brake pedal and no problems

[chester Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close chester]

Re: P3 ashtray install

hey what power setting do you guys have your P3 on i tried 6 like the manual says but cant get it to lock up do i just dial it right up or get the brakes adjusted for a 1.2 tonne trailer how far up the scale is normal before you would trouble shoot other areas.

It works well but i found when i dialled it up to 8 to get the near lock up effect by manually working the lever as described in the set up instructions, braking was then pretty savage when using the foot pedal so i went back to 7 is there any right or wrong or is it just what you feel comfortable with your driving style??

I also find i am stopping short of lights etc as there is a bit of a grab when i slow right down to walking pace coming up to lights etc.

Apart from that i find the P3 really easy to use and the brakes work well

[leachy_9 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close leachy_9]

Re: P3 ashtray install

Chester,

How many ks has your camper done? If it's new, it is normal to take a while for the brakes to bed in. After a few hundred k's adjust the brakes and then see how they respond to the the controller. I vary my setting from 4.5 -7.5 depending on the road/track surface and terain.
There are many variables but the results you desribe sound fine. It's just a matter of determining for yourself what max. and boost levels you prefer. Expect to need to vary these based on the conditions.

Leachy

[chester Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close chester]

Re: P3 ashtray install

Thanks leachy it is a brand new camper so as of last weekend 450kms were put on it thanks i will let it bed in for a while and see how things go.

By all means i fell confident with the stopping power and the camper tows really well i do like how the boost function seems to wipe off some speed during the initial braking.

Just being the firs time towing a camper or anything for that matter with electric brakes it is hard to guage what normal should feel like

Sorry for hijacking mods feel free to move to seperate thread of you wish