Need to disable brake light activation on jake brake

[TGMarrs]

OK, here is the problem... I want to install an "invisible" braking system that I never have to think about. The problem is these systems activate your toad brakes when the coach brake lights come on.

On my coach (Monaco, Cummins ISM500 with 2 stage Jacobs brake) the activation of the jake brake turns on the coach brake lights. So you see the problem - if I held speed down a long grade with the exhaust brake, it would activate my toad brakes (which would be real bad!).

So, does anyone know a work around for this? It seems the most simple answer would be to somehow stop the Jake brake from turning on the brake lights. I guess they did this for "safety" but it seems like it would be a bad thing if you actually needed to brake fast and caught other drivers off guard who got used to seeing your brake lights on for several miles down a mountain!

[Elkhartjim]

Another reason I went with a proportional braking system that is activated by the mh brakes. M&G Engineering and Air Force One are both manufacturers of proportional braking systems.

I want my brake lights to come on as I often come almost to a stop before using my brakes. Also, I'm not sure but it may be illegal to disconnect the brake lights from the engine braking system. Might be worth checking out.

[Route 66]

I believe Cummins can reprogram the ECM to prevent the brake lights from lighting with Jake brake activation.

[DtBt]

Can't you tie the toad brake wire to the foot brake air line switch. If that is in parallel with jake brake relay add another switch. Usually there are plugged extra ports on the actuator.

[Triker56]

Quote:

M&G Engineering and Air Force One are both manufacturers of proportional braking systems.

Roadmaster also makes another one the BrakeMaster.

[TGMarrs]

Thanks.. I will call Cummings about the reprogram.

As for the safety issue with the brake lights coming on, I guess it is all in how you use the jake brake. If I am slowing, I always use the service brakes a little with the jake. My jake does not activate with gas pedal release, I have a separate foot switch for it.

We travel in the mountains alot, so it is not uncommon for me to have the jake on for a 10-15 mile downgrade to hold my speed at 55-60mph. I have noticed that if I do actually brake, cars behind me are late noticing and sometimes slam on their brakes or swerve to pass me when the notice I am quickly slowing... In my case having the brake lights on for too long is like having no brake lights at all!

[Eaglesview]

On my 05 Dynasty there is a fuse in the front run box electrical panel that when removed will not bring on the tail lights when the Jake is applied.

I am going to the motorhome today and will get the description on the fuse legend.

I realize yours may not be a Dynasty but likely similar electrical panels.

[ottffss]

1) US Gear's Unified Tow Brake is completely "invisible" on the toad, has positively no setup once installed, and activates based on accelerometer input (making it true proportional).

2) As already mentioned, the Cumins ECM controls the brake light activation of the engine brake - a simple reprogram.

[Eaglesview]

I confirm that on my 05 Dynasty removal of the "Engine Brake Light" fuse will deactivate the brake lights when the jake is activated. The fuse is located in the front electricall panel box and is on a board that has quite a few relays, etc and only three fuses in the centre of that board.

Hopefully yours is the same.

[Happycarz]

I don't know what year your Executive is, but many models have a cube relay in the front run panel that controls the brake light when the exhaust brake is applied. This a different relay than the one that controls the brake lights when applying the brakes. Mine is marked "MM" next to it.

As I didn't like my brake lights on all the way don the hill with the exhaust brake on, I just pulled the relay. Everything else works normally.

[Barlow46]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happycarz I don't know what year your Executive is, but many models have a cube relay in the front run panel that controls the brake light when the exhaust brake is applied. This a different relay than the one that controls the brake lights when applying the brakes. Mine is marked "MM" next to it. As I didn't like my brake lights on all the way don the hill with the exhaust brake on, I just pulled the relay. Everything else works normally.

Happycarz,
I understand that the activated brake light causes the cruise control to de-activate (turn off). Have you noticed any change when activating the jack brake with the cruise control on? Any chance that the cruise control could stay on with that relay pulled? Reason I ask is that I am trying to track down a cruise control that turns on but does not "set". Cummins has checked it out and says that it is set up correctly on their end. I am wondering if I have a brake light anomaly causing the cruise not to work. I may just pull the relay also and see if the cruise is affected. Thanks

[TGMarrs]

Thanks everyone - before I pay cummins for a reprogram, I will be looking at fuses and relays tomorrow.

@Barlow - that is an excellent point, I will have to make sure the Cruz still kicks off after I pull the fuse or relay!!!

[Diplomat Don]

TGMarrs.......I'm going to ask a silly question.....What braking system uses your brake lights to activate the toad brakes. I've thought about all of the models I've read about and the one I have, but none of them use the brake lights to activate brakes. Is there one I'm missing?

[TGMarrs]

I have been looking at the Roadmaster Invibrake - online at camping world for $900.

Roadmaster Inc - Roadmaster InvisiBrake - Towed Vehicle Braking - Camping World

The description says it activates when the towed vehicle brake lights are activated from the lighting harness.