[VAC] Re: Exhaust brakes - A word of caution

[Tom Patterson]

Title: Re: [VAC] Re: Exhaust brakes - A word of caution

Harvey,        This is the same as the BD brake.  Please reread the earlier posts.  On both brake systems you have to 1.) Take your foot off of the accelerator 2.) Move the toggle switch.  The only difference between what Don and I have described is in the order in which the braking is done.  By themselves, neither action will activate the brake.  I believe that all exhaust brake systems work in this fashion.      By the way, with a gasoline motor such as you currently have, the same engine braking is decided for you when you remove your foot from the gas, and the engine slows down your vehicle.  You are not given this responsibility and privilege.     ----- Original Message ----- From: Harvey Barlow To: Multiple recipients of VACList Sent: Sunday, June 10, 2001 2:19 PM Subject: [VAC] Re: Exhaust brakes - A word of caution Don,   That would work for me.  As the driver, I think it is my responsibility and privilege to decide when to brake, not to have some mechanical or electronic device decide for me.   Harvey ----- Original Message ----- From: Don Horn To: Multiple recipients of VACList Sent: Sunday, June 10, 2001 11:48 AM Subject: [VAC] Re: Exhaust brakes - A word of caution I was on a bus trip on a ‘56 GMC coach that had a Jake� brake (not the same as an exhaust brake, but similar).  It also is activated when the accelerator pedal is released.  On a long downhill stretch, the driver had his foot off the throttle the whole time, and activated the Jake brake by hand with the switch from time to time, mostly around curves.   It was a toggle switch mounted on the wall to the left of the driver, and they have had a momentary contact switch in addition to a regular continuous one.   I don’t know if this technique would be practical with modern exhaust brake setups, but it seems like a way to add a little extra control in some situations where you want to be able to release the brake without hitting the throttle.    With your third hand on the wheel, you could play with the trailer brakes and the exhaust brake at the same time.  ;>)