Help with new BD exhaust brake

[DMcGalliard]

Hello to BD exhaust brake users,

I have a new BD brake on my 05 3500 and am not that pleased (braking power) with the recommened pressure regulator setting. I don't want to over pressure, I have a gage on it, but the gage flutters so it is hard to get a good reading. I have it cranked up to about 45lbs and it is better. Ideas will be appreciated.



Thanks, Dave

 

[jelag]

The top limit for back pressure is 60psi. This is a limit set by Cummins for this engine... I suggest that you approach this limit very carefully as any pressure much over this will cause the exhaust valve to open at the wrong time... based on the pressure on the back of the valve... . severe engine damage results in excessive back pressure... .



This pressure is usually tested with a gauge... . at 2500-2800 rpm...



Why did you purchase a brake that wasn't preset from the manufacture... . PacBrake, and the Jacobs designs are preset... at 60 psi so that you can't exceed the specification and damage the engine...



If you have any other specific questions email me... Hope I've been of some help... .

 

[WSimons]

The BD Brake IS preset at 60 psi by the factory, or at least it's supposed to be.



I have a 2003 HO engine, and the BD brake was set just a tad high for me. With no load in the truck, I was reaching 49 to 50 psi in 4th gear at 45 mph. I turned the brake down a bit until I can see what it will give with a 13,000 trailer pushing me down a 7% grade. I can always turn it up. Turning it down may be a bit too late.



I researched ALL the brakes, looking for things like bearings, failure modes and comments by owners on the reliability of their units. It came down to a choice between Jacobs and BD. I chose BD because the company is only 75 miles away. Pacbrake was not even close to the quality and reliability of Jacobs and BD.

 

[Doubleclutch]

Don't want to start a E-Brake war, but since I owned both a PacBrake, and BD brake... and happy with each, I can't really say one is better than the other... (as in NO PROBLEMS) only different. New truck is waiting for the PXRB. It's only a matter of time before the good folks at BD come up with something special too.

Greg

 

[WSimons]

Doublecluch brings up a good point.



The word I'm getting is that the PXRB version of PacBrake has solved just about all of their prior problems.



If I was buying again, I WOULD take another look at PacBrake.

 

[DMcGalliard]

Thanks for the BD brake response

Hello to WSimons,

Glad you are happy with your BD brake. It seems to be well engineered, the installer set the backpressure at the lowest setting, so I am getting very little braking at rpms below 2200. So I am trying to adjust by a gauge that flutters. What gauge are you using to make the adjustment. Monday I am going to call BD and see what they say. Comments are still welcome.

I do appreciate other comments about over backpressure and that is the last thing I want to do. Also not to start brake war, I bought BD because I have bought lots of BD stuff and not a single failure and also for the same reason some people buy fords and chevys. I looked at Jake, the Dodge Dealer had never installed one and wanted use my truck as his first install and I am not sure I would trust him to change my oil.



Thanks, DaveMc

 

[Doubleclutch]

Dave- If you have a valve in your gauge line, you might try pinching down on it a little to make the wobbles less. Works for the stuff out here at the plant, and should get you a lot closer to an accurate measurement.

Greg

 

[WSimons]

Dave:



Actually, I think you may have a bad gauge. When I was installing the brake I temporaily used a gauge off of an air compressor (el cheapo). It read with nary a quiver when I tested the back pressure by using the throttle. (You can get about 10 to 20 PSI that way. )



With my BD X monitor, the numbers are steady now as well.



Bill

 

[jelag]

The PXRB has been available for 4" & 5" inline installations for several months... PacBrake has been filling the needs of CAT, Cummins, IH for their mid range engines that won't handle an engine brake... . I've been promised some (2) pre-production direct mount PXRB's for my trucks... . I've quit asking... . each time I've been told another month or two..... was told """ we (factory) can't keep up with the demand by the mid range engine builders... """"



Jim