What are my choices for an exhaust brake controller?

[Allnew2Me]

I have a Banks brake that was on my truck when I bought it. It works well in the sense that it comes on and really does hold back the truck on grades, but I don't like the Banks controller it uses. It is computerized and kind of takes all the control away from the operator. For example, it won't lock the TC, it only keeps it locked if it is already locked. This means that I have to be going at least the speed required to lock the TC before I am able to use the brake. When it is switched on it only activates the parameters set by the software, it won't come on like a manually operated brake. It also cycles when cold but when it decides the engine is warm (140) it goes off and I can't leave it on. I'd like to use the brake itself but would like to be able to turn it on and know that it is on when I need it, not when Banks thinks I should have it.

Am I able to use any other controller on this brake, retaining the actual brake itself.

I have an auto, and the Banks uses a vacuum solenoid to apply the TV to increase pressure, is this needed?

I would really like to flip the switch and have it come on instantly, have the TC lock, and have it of course deactivate at a preset lower speed.

Any suggestions?

 

[Diesel Nut]

For the tc lock up, you will need a transmission controller like a BD AutoLoc.



As for the brake, I had the Banks brake on my 2002. I hated the Controller so much I pulled it out and sent it back to Banks.



Here's what i did. I went down and bought a stalk switch for a gear vendors OD unit and hard wired the vacuum solenoid. The Stalk switch for the Jacobs would be even better.

 

[ScottLewis]

The BD Autoloc, like the Banks, will only hold lockup once it is acheived by the transmission. It can be modified to act like a BD Torqloc, that is to force lock-up above about 22 mph (depending on transmission). Neither controls the e-brake.



A better option would be the BD Towloc which controls both the brake and TC lockup and is very programable. I had one on my '98 but it was incompatable with the CA smog stuff so I pulled it and put the modified Autoloc back on.



I'm sure there are other controls but I know little about them.



Dan

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

I SWEAR by mt DTT Smart controller. Infinatly adjustible. YOU set when you want O. D to come on , When off , Seccond gear hold down speed can go as low as 16 mph (Depending on converter) and you can have it on or off or on demand with the brake. YOUalso tell and can set what % Throttle position the converter locks/unlocks at too. Kinda fun to wire in too :-laf



http://www.dieseltrans.com/dodge/exhaust_brake.htm

 

[Allnew2Me]

Diesel Nut, I do also have the Banks TC controller on the truck so it does lock, or rather stay locked when the brake is activated. I thought about wiring the vacuum solenoid directly but that does not allow the TC lock to work, only the brake itself. I also could wire direct the TC lock but I don't want to have to remember to turn it off before I stop. Danavilla, If the TC would actually lock at a lower speed that would be a great improvement over what it does now, I think around 40. What I hate about that is this. If I pull out of a turnout at the top of a hill and proceed down, my brake is useless because the Banks won't lock the TC with the on switch. If the PCM locked it lower at least it would be usefull. ToolMan, is the DTT a brake specific controller or just a TC controller? Would it work in conjunction with the Exhaust brake switch or does it just control the lockup and the brake would act independantly? Thanks for the info so far.

The perfect controller would come on and lock the TC together, as long as the go pedal was not pressed, when I flipped one switch, stay locked and on until a preset lower speed at which it would unlock automatically, and allow the brake only to come on for warmup purposes.

I can't believe that nobody has told me I should have bought a three-pedal model!

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

It is soley a Trans controller. Without it or any for that matter you are just shearing trans fluid. Without the converter locked you simply are creating useless and harmful heat. It all depends how you want to hook it in. I had mine wired for "instant on" then I put it on it's own stand alone circuit as I like the way I have the trans setup with it. My brake (BD remote mount) does not use any funky ecm wiring so it is just simply a mechanical pedal switch with a bypass for on to keep engine heat when warming up in the winter months. With the brake on I can maintain 700+ @ high idle brake on.

 

[Allnew2Me]

Tool man, I understand the need to lock the TC. I guess I'm looking for a brake specific controller to replace the Banks. What do the other exhause brakes use for an automatic? are there other brake brands that would work with mine? It doesn't seem that it would be too difficult to use one brand on another brake since they all just send voltage signals. Are these other controllers designed to be used alone or are they specifically for an exhaust brake? I can see the advantage of being able to modify the TC lock speeds and such. I'm still researching, thanks for the help.