The Automotive Blog

BrakeCheck approval by National Express

National Express is ordering the BrakeCheck system following a successful demonstration at its Walsall depot. Nick Sorrill, head of quality assurance, explains: “National Express takes every step to ensure our duty of care policy and high safety standards are constantly adhered to. To this end, there is no exception or compromise where our bus and coach Brake Testing programme is concerned.

“For those brake tests carried out where there is no rolling road available or on the rare occasion they break down, we must have confidence that we have a viable alternative for providing an accurate recording of the service, secondary and hand brake. After some research into what products were available to achieve this we found BrakeCheck to be the one.

“BrakeCheck proved to be 100 per cent accurate when compared to a previous test on our roller brake tester. This and the fact that BrakeCheck is VOSA-approved sealed the deal for us. Consequently, we are now rolling them out to our other depots across the bus and coach businesses.”

Brake Tester Using Brake Efficiency to Report On Truck Brakes

aide automotive have introduced the Mechanical Tapley Decelerometer to the product range.

Having marketed and sold thousands of electronic decelerometers since 2002 the Tapley Meter is now available.

A Tapley Brake  Meter has been around for years and used as a back up to a MOT roller brake tester.

A Tapley Brake Meter is  in the main used to test 4×4 vehicles or used if a Roller Brake Tester is faulty within an MOT Test station, this decelerometer can also be used to test all types of vehicles, from heavy trucks and buses to vans. A Tapley Brake Testing Meter needs no electrical connections and it’s so portable that you can take the Tapley Meter to the vehicle instead of the other way around.

A Tapley Brake Meter measures Braking Efficiency.

Matthew Burke said “We see the Tapley name as the name in brake testing equipment and often receive esquiries to purchase. Although we like to promote modern electronic brake meters this product will never die and deserves a place in our product range.”

Contact aide automotive on 0115 8456471 to price a Tapley Mechanical MOT Brake Tester.

MOT Tapley Brake Meter

BrakeCheck 2 Year Warranty!

aide automotive are now pleased to offer a two year warranty on all BrakeCheck’s & Accessories

aide automotive have improved our customer service by increasing the warranty from 1 to 2 years on the BrakeCheck family & accessories!

BrakeCheck is the number one brake tester for commercial vehicle inspections sheets and with over 13,000 testers sold BrakeCheck is now the number one reliable tester on the market.

Matthew Burke Sales Director Said “Since the launch of BrakeCheck in 2001 we have been continually looking at way to improve the tester for reliability and operational, with BrakeCheck Series 2 we now have the over whelming confidence to offer a two year warranty, operationally the BrakeCheck product is at the very top of its product sector and now we feel its top for reliability.”

BrakeCheck is a portable battery-powered device that can be used by vehicle workshops, government traffic authorities, testing and inspection stations to test and report on vehicle brake efficiency. BrakeCheck is VOSA & MOT approved.

If you have any questions on why a BrakeCheck is used on commercial vehicles or within the MOT test station please click on Brake Tester to enquire or phone 0115 8456471.

aide automotive can report on a Rear Truck Brake Fault Solution!
DAF & Scania trucks fitted with Electronic Braking Systems (EBS) could have the same fault but for different reasons. The fault occurs after the vehicle has been driven for a few miles, when the rear brakes slowly start to apply by themselves and in some cases the brakes are on so much that the vehicle is un-drivable.
There are two reasons this fault can appear, the first one is quite simple. On the rear of the vehicle there is a EBS modulator valve which controls the brake pressure to the rear brakes, one of these pipes connected to this valve is from the redundancy valve. This is a saftey back up for the brakes, if in event the EBS fails the truck is left with some brakes to stop the vehicle.

If the redundancy valve starts to leak the air pressure can build up in the pipe connected to the rear modulator valve and start to apply the rear brakes, at the same time the EBS system which constantly monitors the brake pressure when you press the brake pedal sees that there is pressure in the modulator but knows the driver dosnt have his/her fott on the brake so assumes the rear modulator is faulty and puts the EBS warning light on in the cab.

This means there is two faults being caused by the one leaking valve, the EBS causedlight on and the rear brakes applying. The easiest way to identify this fault is by removing the pipe which comes from the redunacy valve when the brakes are on, you will hear the aire pressure being released from the pipe and hear the brake come off.

The Second reason this same fault can appear is a faulty foot brake valve. On a EB System when you press the foot brake on, the foot brake valve not only supplies air pressure to the rear modulator and applies the brakes, it also sends a CAN signal to the rear modulator to apply the brakes. The CAN signal is basically an electronic signal telling the rear modulator to apply the brakes. Inside the foot brake valveare switches which knowhow far you have pressed the pedal down, if these switch’s work incorrectly they can think you have pressed the pedal down when you havent and tell the rear modulator to apply the brakes.
The easiest way to see if the fott brake valve is causing the fault is by removing the electrical connection from the foot brake when the fault appearsand you will hear the brakes release. In both cases the rear brakes usually only apply a small amount but in both cases the EBS light will come on.

aide automotive offer products to test ABS or EBS Sensors or offer brake testers for inspection sheet brake testing.

Trailer testers are available in portable format of wrokshop / van monuted testers.

Brake Faults Most Common At the Roadside, says VOSA
Defective braking systems and components top the list of reasons for prohibitions issued by VOSA at the roadside and depot checks last year.

Nine percent of prohibitions for trucks and 20 percent of prohibitions for trailers were issued because of defective brakes.

The use of a regular deceleration test such as a BrakeCheck could help reduce brake faults and keep inspection sheet paper work in order.

BrakeCheck (decelerometer) can be used and is accepted by VOSA for many vehicles, in the commercial sector VOSA approve BrakeCheck for testing all commercial type vehicles on every inspection. BrakeCheck can be used on vehicles such as, fork lifts, construction / quarry vehicles, tractors and trailers.

This device has moved on significantly from the old mechanical testers such as Tapley Meters. Being electronic there is a much higher accuracy and additional information such as average deceleration, a left/right pull measurement, speed at braking and stopping distance. All tests are time and date stamped.

aide automotive ltd are a leading supplier of brake testing devices for Truck Inspections sheets Brake Tests.

Click on DECELEROMETER to enquire how a BrakeCheck can help you.

January has seen a good start to BrakeCheck sales for aide automotive.

Since the return after Christmas and New Years holidays enquirys and orders have been flowing for us, BrakeCheck is ideal for any truck operator to carry out an inspection sheet brake test with ease or at a cost effective manner. says Matthew Burke of aide automotive ltd.

BrakeCheck is a portable battery-powered device that can be used by vehicle workshops, government traffic authorities, testing and inspection stations to test and report on vehicle brake efficiency. BrakeCheck is VOSA & MOT approved.

If you require an inspection sheet brake tester for your trucks or trailers call aide automotive ltd on 0115 8456471 or click on www.brake-tester.co.uk to read more or contact us.

BrakeCheck the UK’s Number 1 MOT Brake Tester (Decelerometer) is in the aide automotive’s January Sale !!
Used as a back up to the roller tester the BrakeCheck is an electronic tester that can be used to test vehicles that cannot go on the rollers or Quad, Trike bikes and Motorcycles.
Each MOT Garage requires a back up brake tester and aide automotive would like to offer this great deal to those who don?t have a tester or require upgrading their old mechanical meter such as a Tapley. Having the latest tools within the garage will be of benefit when VOSA carry out inspections.
BrakeCheck is easy to use and can also be downloaded to a PC or connected to a supplied printer for hard copy test reports at an optional cost, also for motorcycles a mounting clamp is required.

In the last year we have also seen garages part exchange the Auto Stop Mini, this is an electronic tester supplied by Tecalemit. As this tester is expensive to recalibrate and by reports hard to use, part exchanging to the BrakeCheck should pay back within 2 years.
To read more click on BrakeCheck for the main website page or click on www.brake-tester.co.uk for the dedicated website.

If you would like to purchase a BrakeCheck then call 0115 8456471 or send an email to shoponline@aideautomotive.com and we will call you back.

Dear Sir /Madam,

It has been 24 months since your BrakeCheck was calibrated.

With all tools in your workshop, you need to know they are working correctly and in test situations supplying the correct information. With this, we advise that your BrakeCheck is recalibrated.

We will aim to complete the recalibration of your BrakeCheck within 48 hours of receipt of the unit.

Option 1 – BrakeCheck Recalibration (ONLY)

All prices exclude VAT.

For BrakeCheck recalibration (ONLY), you will need to return the BrakeCheck only.  Please note chargers, cases, printers are not required.
It is suggested that you use a royal mail recorded delivery service / special delivery or courier to ensure that the unit(s) reach us safely.

Returns address: –
aide automotive Limited
Service Dept
Foxhall Business Centre
Foxhall Road
Nottingham, NG7 6LH

Option 2  – BrakeCheck recalibration with Service and test

For BrakeCheck recalibration, service and test, you will need to return your BrakeCheck, Printer, Chargers.
It is suggested that you use a royal mail special delivery service or courier to ensure that the unit(s) reach us safely

Returns address: –
aide automotive Limited
Service Dept
Foxhall Business Centre
Foxhall Road
Nottingham, NG7 6LH

Please be so kind as to provide a full postal address for your return and a purchase order number and invoice address?

If you have any questions, please feel free to call the office on 0115 845 6471.

Many thanks

Matthew Burke
aide automotive ltd
Tel 0115 8456471
Fax 07092 311470
Mobile 0787 6653609
www.aideautomotive.com
Address – Foxhall Business Centre – Foxhall Road – Nottingham – NG7 6LH
All orders are subject to aide automotive ltd business terms & conditions, copies supplied upon request.

aide automotive have posted the user guide for the BrakeCheck TT (Truck & Trailer).

Commercial Vehicle Brake Testing

The following criteria are required for all HGV & Trailer brake testing.

All brake testing should be carried out away from the sites working area; this should be done in an area that has roughly level ground.

The MOT performance figures are for the Peak Reading:

Tractor Unit Service Brake Bare Minimum    50 %
Tractor Unit Secondary Brake Bare Minimum  25 %
Tractor Unit Parking Brake Bare Minimum   16 %

Although the test requirement looks for a peak reading, you could use the relationship between the peak and average to determine brake performance, if you achieved a peak reading of say 51  – 58 this is not indicating good brakes, peak figures of 70 + can be achieved to indicate good brakes, even though high peaks are recorded if a low average is recorded (20 – 30 example only) this would indicate bad brakes or you will more than likely fail a roller brake test!

Brake Tester Position

The brake tester should be positioned in the foot well of the vehicle, preferably up against a bulkhead with the direction of travel arrow pointing in the intended direction and with the tester straight.

Vehicle Test Procedure

With the vehicle stationary, position and arm the brake tester, accelerate the vehicle at a constant rate in a straight line up to a safe site speed then apply the brakes in an emergency stop manner, hold the vehicle on the brake until the vehicle has come to a complete rest.

Arming The Brake Tester For A Tractor Unit Test

BrakeCheck TT (4 Truck & Trailer) has a 99 test memory on the Service, Hand & Trailer feature.

Turn the BrakeCheck on by pressing and holding MENU until Sbr is displayed on the screen.

Press ENTER, the display will now show C1 (Wet Ground), this can be used to indicate test ground condition, Press MENU to alter to C2 (Dry Ground) or C3 (Snow/Ice Ground) & C4 (Tarmac Ground). Press ENTER and the level indicator L-| |- will now show, if this is not the case re-position the BrakeCheck until achieved.
Press ENTER the display should now read 0.00 ± 5. As described above accelerate and brake.

At the end of the test the display will show L#, this is the test number, press ENTER to store the test, (remember to write down your vehicle ID and test number) if the display still shows L-| |- you did not press ENTER!! The peak reading will report after you pressed ENTER,

With the Peak reading displayed press ENTER, this will show the average reading. Pressing ENTER again shows further information.

For a Hand Brake Test press MENU twice, this is while the service brake results are displayed, the display should now show Hbr, now go to the second paragraph under Arming The Brake Tester to carry out a Hand Brake Test.

Commercial Trailer Brake Testing

VOSA offered guidance on testing commercial trailers and advised, “The way to use a decelerometer is to first test the drawing vehicle on its own. Then connect the trailer and the deceleration rate should be similar i.e. the trailer is doing its fair share of work. This is not an exact science but would be enough to give you confidence the trailer brakes were working.”

Further individual brake performance testing can be done by using an Infra Red Thermometer to measure brake disc or drum temperatures, this can be done after brake testing or when vehicles are returning from a journey. An optional accessory to the BrakeCheck TT kit is an Infra Red thermometer; please consider this as a very useful way to review individual brake performance!

We suggest you test a tractor unit on the day you are required to test trailers, to test trailers first test a tractor unit, this only needs to be carried out once, you can then add multiple trailers to the tractor unit through the day, no need to test a tractor unit every time you test a trailer. Trailer tests will be associated with the last tractor unit Service Test!

We recommend clearing the memory of the BrakeCheck TT prior to testing trailers, Turn on the BrakeCheck by Pressing and holding MENU for 3-4 seconds, the display will show Sbr, press MENU until Clr is shown in the display, this will happen after Temperature. Press ENTER, wait for 3 straight digits to move across the display and reset to Sbr. This has now cleared all memory.

Test a tractor unit or shunter, you may warm the brakes up prior to testing if the vehicle has been sat for a period. Test a tractor unit or shunter as per previous guidance Arming The Brake Tester For A Tractor Unit Test. Once an acceptable test has been recorded leave the test in the memory, remember the trailer brake test will be associated wit the latest Sbr brake test in the memory! If one test was completed this will be test 1.

Trailer Brake Testing

Press MENU to turn the BrakeCheck on, with Sbr on the display press MENU twice, trb will be displayed. With the BrakeCheck positioned in the pulling vehicle, press ENTER, the display will now show C1 (Wet Ground), this can be used to indicate test ground condition, press MENU to alter to C2 (Dry Ground) or C3 (Snow/Ice Ground) & C4 (Tarmac Ground). Press ENTER and the level indicator L-| |- will now show, if this is not the case re-position the BrakeCheck until achieved.

Press ENTER the display should now read 0.00 ± 5. Accelerate and brake the combination, when testing trailers we recommend a gradual acceleration and then a controlled emergency stop. Once the test has been completed the display will show L#, this is the test number, press ENTER to store the test, (remember to write down your vehicle ID and test number) if the display still shows L-| |- you did not press ENTER!! The peak reading will report after you pressed ENTER, as per the VOSA guidance stated above this should be similar of the service brake test of the pulling vehicle to confirm a trailer pass.

To Print:-

Point the front of the BrakeCheck at the Printer about 10-30 cm’s apart.

To Print a Service Brake:

If the BrakeCheck has powered-down due to inactivity:

Press     until the display shows Sbr.
Press    three times until the BrakeCheck display shows Sbr and the bottom half of the BrakeCheck shows two lights, one on Service Brake Test and the other on Last Test Result

Press   once, the display will show L n, press MENU the display will show L A (pressing ENTER now will print off all tests in the memory), Press MENU and the display will show L 1, pressing MENU will increase the test number by ONE, holding down MENU will increase the test number at a rapid rate.
With the desired test number on the display press ENTER, the Peak Reading will be displayed, with the printer switched on and the BrakeCheck pointed at the printer press PRINT. Each print out will take roughly 10 seconds to print.

This is not necessary if the unit has not powered-down, the Peak Deceleration (Front/Rear) LED will be lit and the display will show a value, eg:

Make sure the printer is turned on by pressing the button on the front of the printer; a green light should now be on.
If a green light is flashing the printer needs recharging!!
If you have an orange flash your paper is getting low!!

Press      once, the display will show:

and the printer will print the results for the last test performed.

Now do the same for the Hand Brake and Trailer Brake but have the Hand or Trailer brake test light and LAST TEST RESULT illuminated on the BrakeCheck.

DOE Accpet Use of BrakeCheck For Irish Truck Operators & Repairers
After many years of use in England, Scotland and Wales we are pleased to advise the BrakeCheck decelerometer for use on commercial vehicles in Northern Ireland.

BrakeCheck has been proven to be an excellent inspection sheet brake tester for all commercial vehicles with over 11000 testers sold since 2002. With many commercial operators and repairers using the BrakeCheck to conduct a VOSA accepted brake test on every inspection, BrakeCheck is the number 1 decelerometer on the market today!

Richard Lee Compliant and Enforcement Manager of the DOE in Northern Ireland has recently accepted the use of a decelerometer for heavy goods inspection sheet brake testing. Richard states “I can confirm that a decelerometer may be adequate for checking brake efficiency on some vehicles especially if it is linked to a printer and a record of the brake test can be recorded. This would be consistent with our Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness which has a section (5) detailing safety inspection and repair facilities.”

The DOE are now advising commercial vehicle operators, commercial repairers and in house workshops to complete regular inspection sheet brake test, The BrakeCheck is the tester! BrakeCheck will conduct a Service, Secondary & parking brake test with ease and store in its memory for later printing via PC or portable printer.

To purchase a decelerometer or brake tester for inspection sheet brake testing click on  aide automotive ltd