There is a relay that can be wired in to make the brake lights operate with the retarder on the earlier coaches. I think that most 97 and 98 and up had this factory installed. Some place I have the diagram of how to install the relay
MOT installed the joystick on our 1997 U295 after we bought it in 2010. Factory installations may operate the tail lights with the joystick. Your results may vary. It's worth a check on each coach so the driver knows whether she (he) is signaling a stop with the joystick.
One more thing. On my 1999 U295 using the joystick to brake takes it off cruise control.Even if the joystick was an add on for safety both the tail lights working and coming of cruise should go hand in hand . Without the tail lights the drivers behind have no idea that your stopping and if you stay on cruise the retarder is working againest the engine.I have a problem with Foretravel or Allison if this is how they installed the system.Gam
If brake lights don't activate with joystick, retarder won't come on if cruise control is activating accelerator. Retarder will come on if accelerator goes to "zero position." In short, steep hills the cruise control and retarder will take turns trying to keep the speed constant.
It's probably better for the joystick to activate the brake lights. I expect OEM installation sets that mode of operation. Check your coach. Some joysticks activate brake lights. Our does not.
This is only my opinion but If the joystick will brake independent of the brake pedal, and doesn't activate the brake lights when used it has to be illegal.Gam
Joystick activated brake lights independent of brake pedal
When Foretravel realized the need to have the brake lights energized with the joy stick is when they started installing the relay for the brake lights and if your coach does not have that then when the joy stick was added the relay should also have been added. I would think that Mark Harvey has that wiring diagram and it is possible that foretravel has the kit that is needed to fix the problem
Yes, on my coach (with factory installed joystick), the brake lights are activated by retarder activation.
If I forget to push the joystick fully forward, and then activate the cruise control, I get a reminder on the next downgrade. The cruise control backs off the throttle, the retarder kicks in, the brake lights come on, turning the cruise control off.
Not saying you should do this, of course, or thats is safe or legal, but mine has the wire to the relay for the brake light disconnect unhooked. Xtarder works on cruise.
Did a similar thing twenty years ago on 1991 3176 cat marquis. Customer preference software from cat after delivery had the jake come on without the brake light disconnecting the cruise control. Or they did not come on. Can't remember which as I was not behind the coach. Not from beaver or gillig. Cat dealer.
Added a 2,4 or 6 cylinder select panel next to the drivers seat on the sidewall so the amount of jake braking could be adjusted without turning off the cruise. The 4 cylinder mode was perfect for 6% interstate grades.
Customers loved it. Both feet flat on the floor driving up and down hills at 65mph towing at 37,000 combined actual weight at 8.25mpg.
Same idea on the xtarded Foretravel.
Bob
Suggesting irresponsible modification is not welcome on this Forum.
I know there are a lot of jake brakes and exhaust brakes not wired to turn on brake lights... I don't see anything illegal. It's auxiliary braking. Not main or only braking
I believe we should know of the possibilities of such mods. Many of us bought pre-owned coaches and should be aware of possible mods made by the previous owner. For instance, my coach came with a mod to allow the front television to operate while driving. It also came with a mod preventing the backup monitor from switching to the side cameras according to the turn signal.
Previous owners can do all sorts of strange things.
You can receive a ticket for having a brake light or even a tail light not working. At the state safety inspection tell them you have a retarder system that can stop your coach without activating your stop lights and see if you pass. tell the driver of the semi that runs into the back of you on that 8% down grade that it's OK to use a retarder without tail lights. Or even better tell his attorney.Most state laws Say a person shall not operate any licensed vehicle without a signal device to indicate an intention to stop or suddenly decrease speed,visible from the rear at a distance of not less than 500 ft.operate.Gam
There is a difference between emotion and the law. Auxiliary braking systems do not qualify as a chassis braking system. I think it's not a bad idea to have the brake lights on, but these braking systems DO NOT rapidly slow a vehicle. If you add an exhaust brake there is NO requirement (or instructions provided by the manufacturer) to tie it into the brake lights.
If it was the law, Jacobs Engineering and Pac Brake would definitely be all over it with disclaimers. They would be a civil lawsuit target.
I've also been passed by plenty of unmuffled jakes on moderate downhills with no brake lights showing.
I get that you feel strongly about it...
I think the brake lights are wired to come on because the
retarder is quite a bit more effective than an exhaust brake
or a jake brake. but don't most states and provinces require
the 4 ways flashing if you are proceeding up or down a grade
slowly. (40mph)
My PacBrake is not wired into the brake lights. It essentially operates as a lower gear; which would also not be wired into the brake lights. I do not keep it activated all the time even in the mountains but use it as necessary in addition to the brakes to keep the speed under control; not necessarily to "slow down" the vehicle.
This is identical to how I would keep the vehicle speed under control in a lower gear.
Craig
DOT standard #108 current as of Apr 12 2013 .Stop lights must be activated upon application of the vehicle service brakes. Brake lights =MAY ALSO BE ACTIVATED BY A DEVICE DESIGNED TO RETARD THE MOTION OF THE VEHICLE. I think key word is MAY.Gam
And the other keyword is the "must" below.
It's no accident that two different words are used. That's how requirements are written so as to be clear.
best, paul