Exhaust Brake

[kketterling]

I have been reading various comments on the IRV2 form and it appears there are those that drive with their exhaust brake switch always on. I only use mine in the mountains when going down hill which happens quite alot? Am I the only one that does this? I was led to believe you lose some of the engines power with the exhaust brake always on when giving the engine throttle.

Always willing to learn a different way if it makes sense.

[Rex]

Ken, you were given bad information. The Exhaust Brake only works when your foot is off the accelerator and Cruise if off. Saves your brake linings and sure does help slow the coach without using the breaks. Give it a try. Only time not to use it is when the roads are slick.

[autofish]

The exhaust brake is just an air operated butterfly valve in the exhaust. The valve is only closed when you are slowing down the rest of the time the valve is fully open so it has no impact on engine performance the rest of the time. I drive with mine on most of the time. Hope this helps it also saves on brake wear.

[RickT]

Ken,
My son (an allison & Cummins expert mechanic) setup our Pac Brake to work automatically with the criuse on or anytime you let off the throttle pedal with the criuse off. We removed the Pac Brake floor button and installed an on-off switch in the side console. I leave the switch on all the time, I don't have to use the brakes much except to come to a complete stop or alittle on real long down grades. It comes on when the criuse speed gets about 1 to 2 mph over where the criuse is set. This can all be programed in the ecu by conecting a laptop that has Cummins programing. It won't robe power or hurt the engine to leave it on.

Rick

[Dr4Film]

Ken,

I have the Pac-Brake switch, which is located on the driver's left side control panel, on ALL the time. I never turn it off for anything.

My Cummins ECU has been programmed for "Latch Mode" which allows me to use my Cruise Control and have the Pac-Brake turned on at the same time. One does NOT conflict with the other.

If just using the Pac-Brake, when you release your foot from the accelerator, the Pac-Brake engages, when you return pressure to the accelerator, the Pac-Brake disengages. With the cruise on and in use, when you remove your foot from the accelerator the Pac-Brake does NOT engage until you either step on the brake or turn the cruise off.

I love using this combination as I don't have to think about whether I have switches on or off.

Dr4Film ----- Richard.

[Norm4015]

I only use the exhaust brake when I need it and then turn it off. One of my favorite gears is "coasting" and I hate it when I let off the accelator and the brake come on.

[johnsonjm209]

I hope you guys disable your exhaust brakes when in thickley settled residential neighborhoods. Nothing like the sound of an exhaust brake on a construction vehicle to wake you up at 5:00AM.

Joe from Ct.

[geodays1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnsonjm209 I hope you guys disable your exhaust brakes when in thickley settled residential neighborhoods. Nothing like the sound of an exhaust brake on a construction vehicle to wake you up at 5:00AM. Joe from Ct.

You are confusing with Jacob Brakes on big trucks! Exhaust brake does not make noise like they do!

[RickO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norm4015 I only use the exhaust brake when I need it and then turn it off. One of my favorite gears is "coasting" and I hate it when I let off the accelator and the brake come on.

Same here.

Rick

[RVRon]

I installed the "Brake Switch" in my 2009 HR and am completely satisfied with how it operates my exhaust brake. I leave the switch (exhaust brake) on all the time and when I use the service brakes, it turns on the exhaust brake. When I touch the throttle the EB turns off. I can coast with the cruise control and the Exhaust Brake on this way. Works great in my unit.

[bachler]

Our findings are like this;; The exhust brake stops the exhust from leaving the engine, Hens. When you climb a long hill with your foot in the fuel peddle. The exhust tempeture Is up very high; I won't put a number on it . Because someone will disputt it. Anyway when the exhust brake is on and you crest the hill release the fuel peddle the exhust closes And the heat builds up in the engine and the turbo, as it is oil cooled. That is why truckers stop on top of the hill to let it cool down. I like to let it cool a bit before I engage the ext. brake, We had a friend lose his Desiel on the down side of the hill... suspect === Exhust brake;; Altho he had his set to drop to forth gear in the trans. rather then the reccomended second gear, with the Exhust Brake Engaged;

[RickO]

It's probably important to distinguish if we're talking about exhaust brakes or engine brakes in our replies because of points like the one bachler point out. Very true with exhaust brakes but not so much I'm thinking with engine brakes.

rick

[kketterling]

RVRon. I would be inclined to leave the exhaust brake switch on all the time it I had the Brakeswitch. I looked at their website and price was reasonable and wiring looked straight forward. Did you install yours and if so was it as easy as the directions appear?

[johnsonjm209]

Tks