A previous post got me thinking, "do my brake lights come on when I've activated the Pac Brake?" Had the DW follow me to check it out, NO, they don't. O.k, do any of the other FTs have a different deal? We followed a SOB w/jeeptoad down the drop from Payson, AZ to Phoenix the other day. He was powered more than us, so I just hung back. During the drops, his brake lights came on most of the time, sometimes the toad, as well. Mine never did, of course, since I was "rockin' the Pac", the only times I used the brakes was when he bogged down on some pulls. I think having a retarder activate the brake lights is dangerous, and do any folks use their toad brakes to slow the coach down? Any comments? ^.^d
Good reasoning behind both answers.
I have a preference for brakes lights ONLY when service brakes in use. Certainly works better with electrically activated toad brake systems! And, on long descents, if brake lights are on with retarder/engine brake, there is no way to alert those behind you that things went from "speed in equilibrium-- all is well" to panic stop for a wreck just in front of you.
One would not think so, but our PAC works in downtown traffic ,real good. Since I drive many stoplights ahead, a little "tickle" from time to time keeps me from the dreaded "dynamite the mains". ^.^d
Is this a choice that can be made ?
Our brake lights do come on when the retarder engages. As Brett suggested, in some ways, I wish they didn't (the situation he described: how can someone following us know whether we're in "speed equilibrium" versus beginning a panic stop).
We've followed some rigs downhill, and it's nice to know, by a tap of their brake lights, that he's got the retarder on.
Most just take what is OE wiring. I am sure it could be changed-- just a matter of what triggers the brake light signal other than the brake pedal.
Ours do come on when the retarder comes on. And the retarder works on cruise control.
Thread is getting confused - OP asked about PAC brake - not same thing as RETARDER. I guess everyone understands the difference?
I'm with Brett. Our exhaust brake has no connection with the brake lights. If I am cruising down a grade on the exhaust brake, I don't want my brake lights on. If they were on, the drivers behind me would assume I was riding the brakes, and think me inept. When the exhaust brake is not providing sufficient retardation, and I get on the service brakes, then I DO want drivers behind me to be aware of that fact. All seems very logical to me.
I don't think it's "confused", my question was "who has what" and how many other coaches have a " engine brake on/ brake lights on?". Apparently, some do, some don't, some have never thought about it; that was the gist of the post.
Irrespective of whether an exhaust brake, engine compression brake or transmission retarder, it is up to the builder whether the brake lights are triggered by using them.
So then the question becomes, how to change from brake light on/off with retarder/pac brake for each model and year.
I am firmly in the no brake llights for retarder/pac brake camp.