Community Forums

PPCPilot · 08-01-2018, 06:35 PM

I recently purchased my coach and am trying to figure out why the foot pedal for the exhaust brake would have been replaced or disconnected? There is a pretty cheaply made toggle switch that is on the drivers door panel that turns the exhaust brake on and off. There is a square rocker type foot switch box on the floor that has been disconnected.

I am trying to figure out why. Can any of you lend a guess? Is it worth getting that foot switch reconnected again or should I leave well enough alone to have it working with a toggle switch?

Thanks for your help. I love this forum and lurk here most nights while the tv plays in the background. I thank those who take time to contribute to make this forum(in my opinion) the best RV forum on the internet!

Kevin

RKins · 08-01-2018, 06:47 PM

I can only guess that the PO didn't like holding the foot pedal down? I don't have a foot pedal and have the toggle switch on the dash.

Rotten-Red · 08-01-2018, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PPCPilot

I recently purchased my coach and am trying to figure out why the foot pedal for the exhaust brake would have been replaced or disconnected? There is a pretty cheaply made toggle switch that is on the drivers door panel that turns the exhaust brake on and off. There is a square rocker type foot switch box on the floor that has been disconnected.

I am trying to figure out why. Can any of you lend a guess? Is it worth getting that foot switch reconnected again or should I leave well enough alone to have it working with a toggle switch?

Thanks for your help. I love this forum and lurk here most nights while the tv plays in the background. I thank those who take time to contribute to make this forum(in my opinion) the best RV forum on the internet!

Kevin

I agree with RKINs. Seems very inconvenient to have to hold the pedal down, especially on a long grade.
I modified mine with a separate toggle switch on the dash just left of the steering wheel where I can turn it on with hardly moving my hand off the wheel. I also modified the wiring so it will work in all gears. I didn't like the idea that the way the factory has it wired that when you turn it on it automatically downshifts to 4th gear. Sometimes on mild downgrades you can maintain 60 - 65 MPH just needing a little braking action. If you're in 4th gear you would be over revving the engine.

PPCPilot · 08-04-2018, 02:33 PM

OK...thanks for the replies guys! I had thought I read somewhere that there was a switch plus the foot pedal to accelerate the effect of the exhaust brake but maybe I was dreaming that.

I will look for a better quality toggle or rocker switch and leave it alone then!

Thanks for the contributions they are appreciated.

Kevin

dutchstr3884 · 08-09-2018, 09:44 PM

On my old 1999 DSDP Spartan chassis and my current 2004 DSDP Spartan chassis I have only a toggle switch. Neither have a foot pedal. Have you called Spartan to check with them, their customer service staff is very helpful.

Dutch Star Don · 08-09-2018, 11:41 PM

Kevin.....On my previous coach, I added a foot pedal and wired it so that I could use either, the pedal or the switch.

Dav L · 08-10-2018, 11:12 AM

DSD: thats an interesting idea. I assume the toggle switch is On / Off and the foot switch is momentary. So the toggle would always overide the foot to turn ON the jake.

Or is the foot also a toggle switch like the old High Low beam foot switches?

Any links to foot switches?

https://www.amazon.com/Linemaster-Co.../dp/B005GRDDGU

Dutch Star Don · 08-10-2018, 11:30 AM

When I bought my Diplomat new in 2005, the exhaust brake never worked. The Allison downshifted and gave me some pretty good braking. I finally realized I was only getting the downshift. Monaco worked on it for days and never found the disconnect. Eventually, I gave up and installed a switch that turned on the exhaust brake separate of the Allison. In effect, it gave me a two speed exhaust brake. I added the momentary foot pedal so I could use it in conjunction with the exhaust brake switch, which was only downshifting the Allison.

I know that may years ago, high end coaches had the foot pedal for engine braking. I found that holding that pedal down on a long grade got tiresome, that's why I added the rocker switch.

Dav L · 08-10-2018, 12:26 PM

I just ordered that momentary foot switch I linked to on Amazon.
So, if I just parallel the wiring of the rocker switch ON position...do you see any issues with that?
My coach also has the High Low range separate toggle that I will keep as it is.
Most all of the Jaking seems to be Low range anyway (subtle effect). The High is only needed on like 8+% slopes.
The foot switch I think will just keep it less busy in the cockpit going down curvy mountain passes.

Dutch Star Don · 08-11-2018, 11:49 AM

The foot pedal is handy when you need to turn the brake on and off on twisty roads or rolling hills. On long grades, you can just use the switch to rest your leg/foot.