Educate me-exhaust brake

[Dean Upson]

Carlton,



That 3 1/2 years of testing is a determining factor for me. Any idea when the brakes should be a the dealer's? I've had mine on order since November.



Dean

 

[DBVZ]

And, do you have any information on when the e-brake will be approved for use with the 48re transmission?

 

[Carlton Bale]

Originally posted by Dean Upson

Any idea when the brakes should be a the dealer's?

Dean,



We shipped a few hundred brakes before Christmas, we'll ship another 100 or so this week, and will ship several hundred more two weeks after that. So parts have been and will continue to be shipped to the DCX distribution channel. However, I have no knowledge as to how they are dispersed to dealers after that.



I would guess that having your dealer call Mopar may help get you a brake sooner but I don't have any first hand experience with that.

 

[Carlton Bale]

Originally posted by DBVZ

And, do you have any information on when the e-brake will be approved for use with the 48re transmission?

That is a good question! I wish that I could give you a firm answer but at this point I still don't know. DCX will have to make the official decision since they are in charge of transmission reliability. Some testing is being completed but I have no idea as to when an official statement will be made. I'll post as soon as I hear something.

 

[Task125]

carlton,

maybe I missed this but why did cummins go with vac,over air on exhaust brake?every other brake man. seems to go with air. and how does it affect performance on engine with running another acc. vac pump off belt?do you lose a few hp? thanks mike

 

[Carlton Bale]

Originally posted by Task125

maybe I missed this but why did cummins go with vac,over air on exhaust brake?every other brake man. seems to go with air. and how does it affect performance on engine with running another acc. vac pump off belt?do you lose a few hp? thanks mike

Mike,



We choose vacuum because of the high reliability we've experienced in the past.



We do sell exhaust brakes that are actuated by compressed air for the ISB engine installed in commercial Class 5 trucks. However, these engines are built at the factory with heavy-duty, gear-driven air compressors mounted to the block. These air-compressors actuate the vehicle air brakes, the exhaust brakes, and other accessories.



These heavy-duty air compressors will not fit into the engine compartment of a Dodge truck and would be overkill even if they did. Our experience with light-duty electric air compressors has not been favorable from a reliability standpoint. For that reason, we decided to stay with vacuum actuation, a system with which we had a great deal of positive experience.



Any accessory added to the engine will slightly decrease horsepower, whether it is belt driven or electrically driven. Electrical components place additional load on the alternator, which places additional load on the engine. In most cases, additional small loads on the engine are unnoticeable. Our vacuum pump requires less than 1/2 horsepower when running and requires even less when it is not actuating. I am certain that you will not be able to notice any performance difference with a vacuum pump installed -- except when the brake kicks in to slow you down!

 

[amsoilman]

Thanks Carlton, for ALL the great information on this forthcoming E-Brake from Jacobs! I ordered one when I took posession of my 03' Ram.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[Dean Upson]

Thank you, Carlton. You are giving me all the right answers. I can't wait to get my brake installed .



Dean