3rd Gen TIM

BERKIT
MANUFACTURING
3rd Generation Towbar Interface Module
Release date 15 March 2012
33MM
15MM
Brief History
1st Generation TIM Jan 2009 to May 2010
TOWBAR INTERFACE MODULE
GEN. 3 03/12 8 CHANNEL
INTELLIGENT
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
012 803 7373
Total vehicle protection and isolation of caravan/trailer
1 unit for vehicles without electronic pulses, and one unit for vehicles with
electronics pulses (Intelligent)
No water protection
Large Size made installation difficult in certain vehicles
POLARITY/
ERROR
CHANNEL 6
PARK DIST. CONTROL
STOP LIGHTS
TAIL LIGHTS
L INDICATOR
R INDICATOR
70MM
2nd Generation TIM June 2010 February 2012
IP67 Water and Dust protection added
Size reduced to half of 1st generation
PCB mounted connectors are removed to allow automotive water sealed
connectors to be used, providing IP67 not only on the module, but the
harness also.
The module heats up when polarity is reversed or short circuit is detected
to allow reuse of the module in the event of faulty installation.
3rd Generation
Design
An injection moulded ABS plastic housing will no longer be used. FLAME RETARDENT, ROHS COMPLIANT
epoxy will be casted into silicone moulds. This reduces tooling costs and provides a very neat and durable finish.
The epoxy will be casted in 2 stages, firstly a clear epoxy to allow the LED check lights visibilty. Secondly a black
epoxy will be used to protect the electronics and INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. Red epoxy will be used for
Bosal applications.
SABS IP67 test results for the new unit will be available before market release.
Function
A host of new functions have been added:
i) Green LED CHECK LIGHTS will be illuminated at installation for each function of the module. This provides
the installer a quick and visual confirmation that the installation has been done correctly, and that all functions are
working on the trailer or caravan.
BERKIT
MANUFACTURING
3rd Generation Towbar Interface Module
Release date 15 March 2012
ii) 3rd Generation units will NOT WARM UP during incorrect installation. A red LED will illuminate indicating to
the installer that the power wires have been connected incorrectly and the fuse will blow.
This allows the module to be REUSED AFTER INCORRECT INSTALLATION and warns the installer
that faulty installation has occurred.
iii) A SINGLE UNIT for pulsed light clusters and standard 12V light clusters
will be used. This was avoided on previous generation modules to reduce
costs on vehicles such as the Hyundai i10, which required intelligent protection,
but not reading of pulses such as a BMW 5 series. Our engineers have sourced
intelligent IC chips and simultaneously reduced costs of pulse reading modules.
This means pulsed modules are manufactured for the SAME COSTS as none pulsed modules!
iv) 5th Channel added for BUZZER WARNING. The buzzer will be microchip controlled.
Driver frustration has been considered in the design. A constant buzzing when a tail
light fails on a night trip from Capetown to Johannesburg will cause serious
DRIVER FRUSTRATION.
INTELLIGENT BUZZER control activates the buzzer ONCE after the vehicle
has been started. When the vehicle ignition has been switched off, and then restarted,
the buzzer will sound again, only once as below:
Pulsed buzzing - All stop lights failure - 10sec continuous buzz
Tail light failure - 5sec continuous buzz
Indicator light failure - 2sec intermittent buzz for 10sec
Additional Safety features
The ALWAYS VISIBLE CONCEPT
Should all the brake lights on the towed vehicle fail, the module will
activate the tail lights to flash when the brake pedal is depressed,
warning road users that caution must be taken.
The same will happen should either of the indicators fail.
The brake lights will substitute the tail lights should both the left
and right tail light fail.
BERKIT
MANUFACTURING
3rd Generation Towbar Interface Module
Release date 15 March 2012
Simplified Installation
A brief explanation of the new process we will be using to supply power to the Towbar Interface
Modules.
Advantages
1. Not necessary to go through the vehicles firewall to the battery. This reduces installation
time, prevents damage to the grommets in the firewall, etc.
2. Ample PERMANENT power is available, unlike 12V outlets in SUV’s that are sometimes
ignition only. Boot lights are no longer needed for power in Sedans.
3. Allows technicians to clearly see where the towbar power is obtained from.
4. We can now build harnesses that require NO splicing or soldering. Fully plug and play.
5. The harness remains inside the vehicle, avoiding heat exposure and gravel rash.
6. Even in the event of no spare fuse being available, this unit adds another independent
circuit, for example: The air-conditioning circuit on the fuse box can be used
Without any interruption, interference or increased load.
7. For vehicles with a fuse box in the rear, it is no longer necessary to use a connector, which
are usually very expensive and difficult to obtain.
8. Both mini and standard fuses are catered for.
Fuse Box Power Connection
ILLUSTRATION ONLY
ORIGINAL FUSE
TOWBAR FUSE