Exhaust Brake Question

[RCapehart]

How are you actuating your brake?



Are you using a dash switch and a accelerator pedal switch?

Or a manual control on the shifter? Or maybe both? I like the idea of having both.



I am getting ready to install a PacBrake, 60lb springs and a 4" exhaust system.



So I am trying to get all of this figured out ahead of time!



As you see below my truck is a 12V 5-speed standard shift.





Ron

 

[Sticks]

I plan on having the "turn the unit on" for long downhill decents, override on the go pedal, and on the clutch, and an momentary "instant on" wired to a thumb switch on a Hursh T-shifter handle for highway and city traffic. Of course this is all pending if I get the second hand E-brake installed and working.



Sticks

 

[Desperado]

I have a master switch to a relay then, the relay to the accelerator pedal switch, to the clutch switch, this works great you can leave the master on if you have the clutch pushed in the brake doesn't come on, the same goes of the accelerator pedal this way you don't need to have a momentary switch while going down the hwy or in town.

 

[Sticks]

I wanted to bypass the go pedal switch while the system is on standby because sometimes just coasting is enough. I did not want the brake to take 5-10mph real fast, and have to turn around and accelerate right away to get it back. The clutch switch is to prevent accidental brake engagements while shifting.



Sticks

 

[Wiredawg]

Acellerater and Shifter Switches

I have the accelerator switch and the shifter switch. I like 'em.



Wiredawg

 

[RCapehart]

I guess the clutch switch would momentarily shut it off and the go pedal turns it on. I never thougt about having a clutch switch. If you had the master switch on and are changing gears the brake would be trying to work unless you have a clutch switch.



I thought about using a 3-way toggle for a master switch and then a go pedal switch and a shifter switch. This way one or the other would work. I could put a clutch switch with the go pedal.



Wiredawg,



How did you wire yours to get both?



Ron

 

[Ram4Sam]

Keep it simple...

Ron, I have a BD brake which came with a toggle master switch and the pedal micro switch. I didn't use any of it, I got the two speed switch and bracket from Piers for the stick shift. A easy pull with a finger or two for on and easy push off, when ever I want. Never have to worry about an out of adjustment micro switch or a toggle switch.



Sam

 

[RCapehart]

Thanks Sam,



The push/pull 2-speed elec. switch is what I am looking for. I will check piers. I have the this type of switch only for vacuum on my 2 wheel drive low set up.



PacBrake offers a shifter switch but it is not a push/pull, it is toggle.





Ron

 

[Wiredawg]

RCapehart:



I like the accelerator switch and use the shifter switch (both BD). The accelerator switch is in series with the shifter switch. You have the shifter switch off (down) nothing works; have the shifter on (up) and the brake engages whenever you take your foot off of the accelerator.



The accelerator switch is basically maintenance-free. I had it on my 00 2500 for almost 3 years and never needed adjustment. Same setup on my 3500.



I don't like the PCM activated brakes because they have a built in delay. On my truck, activation is instantaneous.



Of course, all this is IMHO.



Hope this helps,



Wiredawg

 

[TowPro]

This is why I wired my 98 so the brake lights triggered the Ebrake. Just touch the pedel enough for the lights to come on and the Ebrake would come on. Its not enough to wear out your brakes.



Or you can use a 2 position, center off switch. One position it uses clutch (I did not use a clutch switch) and fuel switch only, the other position get power from the Trailer brake controler wire (blue I think) so it needs Clutch, Brake and Fuel switch to work.



I drive in the mountains (east coast style) a lot. most of them I can hold speeds without the Ebrake. All the Ebrake did was slow me down.

Originally posted by sticks

I wanted to bypass the go pedal switch while the system is on standby because sometimes just coasting is enough. I did not want the brake to take 5-10mph real fast, and have to turn around and accelerate right away to get it back. The clutch switch is to prevent accidental brake engagements while shifting.



Sticks

 

[Texas Diesel]

Originally posted by TowPro

This is why I wired my 98 so the brake lights triggered the Ebrake. Just touch the pedel enough for the lights to come on and the Ebrake would come on. Its not enough to wear out your brakes.

Interesting idea, may have to borrow it