DIY-ish Electronic Handbrake Setup | PDM, HBC & Dash Controlled Via CAN

Is this the world's most expensive and complicated electronic handbrake? Probably not, but we reckon it's up there!

Using an Audi OEM e-handbrake setup along with a MoTeC PDM32, DHB and C127 dash Andre explains how he is setting up the handbrake on his FJ40 project and more importantly how he has bench-tested the system to make sure his method will actually work before going to the time and effort to fit the brake setup.

While this might seem a little overkill, and you're probably not wrong, it is also worth mentioning fitting an aftermarket cable handbrake can also be a little difficult, and retaining the stock one would have been worse, as anyone who has owned a 4x4 Toyota probably knows. We assume many do such high mileage because it is simply such a risk to trust the handbrake 😅

Bench testing your electronics is a great way to help ensure things work as they should not only to save time installing something that is doomed to be changed, but also so that if you have an issue after installation at least you know it was working which can help you pinpoint what else is wrong.

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TIME STAMPS:
0:00 - PDMs, PDUs, PMUs. Same Same, But Still The Same
0:25 - Todays Goal: Bench Test
0:39 - What Is A PDM? How Does It Work?
2:30 - CAN Keypad Wiring
3:26 - How Do I Setup A PDM Function?
4:01 - Audi Electric Handbrake Testing
4:45 - Disclaimer On Setup Choice
5:20 - How An Electric Handbrake Works
6:02 - Our PDM Problem + PDM Selection Tip
7:14 - How OEM (Audi) Does It
8:12 - Our Solution: Dual Half-Bridge Controller
8:59 - Driving DHB With PDM
9:22 - DHB Controlled By C127 Dash
9:37 - Yes, This Is A Complicated, Nerdy, Potentially Overkill Handbrake Setup! BUT, It's Fun Doing These Things Sometimes 😎
9:43 - CAN Makes Life Much LESS Complicated Though!
10:14 - The Bench Test Setup
11:19 - What We Tell The PDM To Do In Theory
12:20 - PDM Software Setup Example In Practice
14:25 - Dash Software Setup
15:04 - Handbrake On Channel
15:47 - Handbrake Off Channel
16:05 - Handbrake Current Limit
18:08 - This Isn't The Only Way, Don't Panic If you Would Do It Differently!
18:45 - Does It Work?
19:25 - How It All Happens In Real-Time
20:48 - Checking The Data Log. Trust But Verify
23:56 - Why Bench Test?
24:36 - Just One, Obscure Function, But 1000% Better Than A Toyota Handbrake!
25:02 - There Is A Detailed Course On PDM Setup
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Want to learn how to install and setup a PDM? Check out the PDM course here.