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Electric Hand brake calliper control
unijacko67 - 14/6/25 at 10:53 AM

Hi Guys. I'm using some VW Passat b7 electric hand brake rear callipers on my restoration CRX rally car project.

The callipers are really neat, only 2 pin electrical connection so reverse polarity on/off type operation seems obvious, fingers crossed.

Now I understand that oem controllers will have all sorts of features like hill start, potentially re apply pressure after a disc cooling period, along with fail safes such as not being able to accidently release while parked up and not accidently activated while driving. I'm fairly sure by the simple use of a few relays and clutch switch etc that I can get what I need to happen.

I'm looking for a controller/relay that stops applying force when it reaches that force via current or load sensor type thing, otherwise ill be just using the "time off" type relays, maybe set it two 2 seconds and use a momentary type switch to trigger the timer, not ideal but for a single user "me" id hopefully not keep pressing it and burn out the calliper motors. I'm not after an official set up for a few hundred quid, hopefully £40 on relays and a switch, I have a few bits kicking about anyway.

So if anyone knows of some "overload" sensing relays or over current, amps relays etc that could work for me "handbrake on" action that would be great.


Ps I cant find the calliper amps rating, but any help or advice would be good and be useful info, even if this is a guide of how not to do it....I'm no expert.

It's been a while so treat me gently lol, and thanks....


gremlin1234 - 14/6/25 at 12:30 PM

do you mean something like this

https://cpc.farnell.com/schneider-electric-telemecanique/lrd21/relay-overload-12a-18a/dp/MC02122?st=overload%20relays

they do a range of trip currents as well


unijacko67 - 14/6/25 at 01:11 PM

Cheers for taking the time to read my question, much appreciated...

Haha, I'm looking for answers not questions sorry lol, chuckling at my lack of electronical knowledge sorry.

That link seems to take me to something that's 600v so again, no idea

I guess I'm after a 12v relay or whatever it would be called that can have an adjustable load/amp/current detection cut off.....

Cheers


Mr Whippy - 14/6/25 at 03:14 PM

The actual handbrake control modules are about £30 on ebay. Below is link to a good guide on the systems operation which might make things clearer and show you how to get it operating. Most of these apparently complicated systems actually work with quite simple signals that can be replicated -

Tbh I never knew it moved by a dedicated team of tiny elves, they must have failed cobbler school

VW handbrake link


unijacko67 - 14/6/25 at 04:03 PM

Thanks Mr Whippy, the trouble with that control unit is I'd need to replicate all the signals and the voltages that the ecu sent it perhaps, but if it's all running on 12v and I could get a pin out diagram, ignore the abs bit it could work eh. I'll delve further into it cheers, just need 6 little elves aswell 🤣


unijacko67 - 14/6/25 at 04:06 PM

I rekon the original control unit will get messages from brake line pressure in the abs unit, so it would know when and when not to turn on and of the little elf treadmill

[Edited on 14/6/25 by unijacko67]


adithorp - 14/6/25 at 06:50 PM

This thread might be worth a read...

https://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=220813


unijacko67 - 14/6/25 at 07:57 PM

Thanks adithorp, I've seen this, I'm not sure I'd know how to use the microcontroller, but the last entry on that thread the chap uses the ehb totally manual. So I'm contemplating using a relay that is activated via a momentary switch, then after a set time, 2 seconds will turn off, I may need 2 relays, one for brake on and one for brake off. That way I can make the brake off relay only live when the clutch pedal is all the way down just to stop any unintentionally releases of the brake, I could also make the brake on only function when in neutral or something that makes it a bit safer...

One of these maybe......
https://ebay.us/m/V3DVhM


SteveWalker - 15/6/25 at 10:11 AM

I'd use one timer relay for for brake on and one for brake off - rising edge triggered (i.e. timer starts when it sees a signal and continues to run even if the signal goes away and does not re-trigger if the signal remains present after the timer times out. If your signal is switching to ground rather than 12V, then you'd need falling edge triggered.

I'd use a centre-off, 3-position, momentary switch to provide the signals to the relays. I'd also wire one relay through the other, so off overrides on ... you'd not want to be unable to cancel an accidental brake application whilst on the move.


unijacko67 - 15/6/25 at 11:10 AM

Good call cheers, I've actually bought a 30a on off on momentary, reverse polarity switch, I've bought a couple of the "off timer" relays, but may not even use them as I intend yet, I think it will evolve quite nicely, with a few other relays. I've watched the video from the other chaps link who uses his manually and it seems fairly easy to judge the 2 seconds or whatever you feel it needs. "Keep it simple stupid" keeps popping into the mix.....
Cheers


JAG - 16/6/25 at 07:39 AM

We've had this conversation previously here: https://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=220813

It's tricky but do-able.


coyoteboy - 19/6/25 at 12:42 PM

Worth noting that the rules on IVA parking brakes require the system operate with ignition off to engage the brake, but not to disengage.


WesBrooks - 21/6/25 at 05:46 PM

quote:
Originally posted by coyoteboy
Worth noting that the rules on IVA parking brakes require the system operate with ignition off to engage the brake, but not to disengage.


Impressive you've managed to get onto these forums!


coyoteboy - 22/6/25 at 11:48 AM

quote:
Originally posted by WesBrooks
quote:
Originally posted by coyoteboy
Worth noting that the rules on IVA parking brakes require the system operate with ignition off to engage the brake, but not to disengage.


Impressive you've managed to get onto these forums!


I get spare moments from time to time 🤣