Exhaust Brake

[Grey Wolf]

No one has mentioned it yet so I will. I have a U. S. Gear D-celerator electric exhaust brake and I like it. I moved it from my 1995 truck to my 2000 truck when I got the new one because it worked so well.



It uses an electric solenoid, similar to the fuel shut-off solenoid, to actuate the brake. It's controlled via a box that mounts in the cab and uses a wireless push-button transmitter to signal the control box.



The installation was a snap, but you absolutely MUST use large diameter wire for the pull-coil and the ground on the solenoid. I used #10 with good results.



In the 12 years I've owned it I have had two problems. The first was failure of a relay. That was diagnosed and replaced by the dealer who sold it to me. The other issue was intermittant operation that started after about eight years of use. That was cured by dismantling the brake and applying anti-seize to the pivot points for the butterfly valve (a simple job). It has worked flawlessly since then.



From the comments on this thread, it looks like you can't go wrong with any of them. You get to choose.



Loren

I also have the D-celerator on both of my trucks, no problems to date

 

[rgourley]

I had the Banks brake installed 5 years ago. Would not buy again due to nothing but trouble from the day I purchased. Still inop. Main problem seams to be throttle switch. Replaced 3 times. Had in shop 3 times, adjusted over 30 times myself per factory rep. More trouble then its worth... . ::

 

[Jack in Alaska]

I vote for PacBrake. I have had one on my last two trucks and theboth work w/o problems. The last one has a really nice 150 psi air compressor so now I have an air horn and an air outlet plumbed to the back of my truck for airing up tires etc.

 

[jeepit]

I decided on a PacBrake. Our trucks can't use the newer PRXB PacBrake due to a different turbo etc. . I put the previous generation PacBrake on my truck. No issues. It took me more time to get the little plastic plug out of the ECM harness than it did to actually install the brake, not including the wiring portion.

Overall it took me ~ 4-6 hours or so. I also got mine from Jim with Pacific Brake and Clutch, member JELAG. PM him he can help you out with any details etc...

Ok, Pm'd JELAG and waiting for a response...

 

[AABEN]

Well i would stay with what Dodge uses and commins!! It was tsted for the Commings eng, Mine does a very good gob in town at low speeds and on interstates at high speed. It holds very good coming down the mountians out

west 6 degree 7 and 8 . I pull 40 foot fith wheel 15. 000+ 100gal fuel tank in back of truck. That is 800lb plus all my tools. IF Commings thought there was A better one out there thay would had used it!!

 

[Driftwood Ram]

Whatever brand you get I vote for "in-line" rather than turbo mount. Gives you more options when you decide to change turbos and then have to buy a new brake too!!

 

[CTD 600]

I installed the PacBrake PRXB a couple years ago on my 04 six speed and towed the trailer from Ohio to Alaska and back and to Southern CA and back. I would hate to tow with out it. It wasn't too difficult to install and it works great. Some other brands don't work with cruise but the PacBrake does and it has a nice warm up feature too. I ordered mine from Pacific Clutch and Brake also. The of having an air supply on board for other uses ie. air horns etc. Good Luck

Yep, PacBrake PRXB Hasn't let me down yet!! :-laf

 

[RJOL]

I installed the PacBrake PRXB over a year ago and it works great. The only problem I had was a failed air pressure solenoid on the pump, which made it run without stopping. PacBrake sent a new solenoid and it's been fine since then. Here is the thread on my installation:



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...07/180729-my-pacbrake-prxb-install-notes.html

 

[CDonaldson]

RJOL.



Nice writeup on your install, excellent pics. Thanks for taking the time to do the writeup it will certainly help the rest of us put our brake in.



CD

 

[NoSeeUm]

I have a PRXB myself. Works good, I can reccomend it.



If you are not dead set on a turbo mounted brake, take a look at a remote mount (in-line). That is what mine is. Prior, I had a turbo mounted Banks and I can say almost no difference in response time between the two types. Having a remote just gives allot more options for turbo upgrades. Roughly the same price IIRC. My PRXB is for a 4 inch exhaust pipe. Installation is a snap, if you can have a SawsAll.



I also did not install the PacBrake electronics package. I simply have a stalk switch mounted to my gear shifter. I find this set-up better after driving with the Banks set-up so much. The Banks worked off of throttle position. There just seemed to be a multitude of times when I got off the throttle, of course the brake came on, when I really did not want the brake to come on. The gear shift switch is incredibly transparent to use. Of course, you could also mount a switch there in conjuction with the electronics package, but for me just wasted effort and expense.



I did not go with the PacBrake compressed air system either. I bought a ViAir system (bigger compressor with a 2. 5 gallon tank) and mounted it under the fender well. This was for less $$$ than PacBrake wanted for their air system, which I think is just a compressor and no tank. Having onboard air is very useful for me at times so also there was no downside for me doing that.



Jim

 

[RJOL]

Actually, the PacBrake comes with the tank you see in the photos I included above. I already had a 5 gallon air tank (mounted in front of the passenger duallys) but it is rated for only 125psi. I think the PacBrake wanted 150psi, so I just used both tanks, and two pumps. The PacBrake tank and pump only runs the exhaust brake, but they did include some air line and a fittings kit so you could use their pump for other stuff. Not much capacity in the PacBrake tank (less then 1 gallon).

 

[Grizzly]

Ok, Starting to look at exhaust brakes. What would work best for my truck. What brand is best and what is easiest to install??

jeepit, you and I have communicated back and forth on many issues and have always agreed. We both had Lance campers and exchanged ideas. What I can't understand is why do you need an exhaust brake, since you have a camper. I can see the need for an exhaust brake if you had a 10K lb or heavier 5er or TT. Now that I have a 27' 5er I maybe could use one, but I'm not totally sure if I really need one. If I should get one it would be the PacBrake however. Just would like to know what your reasoning is.

 

[jeepit]

jeepit, you and I have communicated back and forth on many issues and have always agreed. We both had Lance campers and exchanged ideas. What I can't understand is why do you need an exhaust brake, since you have a camper. I can see the need for an exhaust brake if you had a 10K lb or heavier 5er or TT. Now that I have a 27' 5er I maybe could use one, but I'm not totally sure if I really need one. If I should get one it would be the PacBrake however. Just would like to know what your reasoning is.

Grizzly, With the camper loaded it weighs in at 2400lbs. Then I usually have the car hauler (1700 lbs) and modified Jeep on the trailer (4300 bs) so that is about 8400 bs. Then a load of campfire wood, loaded coolers, and other camping items on the trailer I'm getting close to 9000 lbs.

If I just had the camper it is agreed I may not need one.

 

[Grizzly]

Grizzly, With the camper loaded it weighs in at 2400lbs. Then I usually have the car hauler (1700 lbs) and modified Jeep on the trailer (4300 bs) so that is about 8400 bs. Then a load of campfire wood, loaded coolers, and other camping items on the trailer I'm getting close to 9000 lbs.

If I just had the camper it is agreed I may not need one.

Well. I do agree with you, however my Truck and Lance loaded for camping or a long trip weight in at 11,800 lbs +/- and I never felt I needed exhaust brakes. It is better to be safe then sorry, so it is a good idea. I'm going to do the same.

 

[JRMora]

Obviously, pushing 23,000# I use it a lot, but even when I am running empty, I use it. I now have almost 92k miles and still have the original brakes. I bought it only for the trailer towing, but use it every day. I have the Pac Brake PRXB and highly recommend it.



Juan

 

[CUMMINZ]

Jr

Have you heard anything from "RustyJC" lately?

 

[FLynes]

I have 117,800 miles on my truck. I use my Jake Brake faithfully and am still on the original brakes. I took it to the dealer, before my trip to Maryland and had them inspect the brakes. The only thing they had to do was adjust the rear drums.