Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Caflashbob on April 20, 2017, 09:13:24 am

Title: Bob's retarder mod
Post by: Caflashbob on April 20, 2017, 09:13:24 am
Activation of my retarder does not turn off my  cruise control.  On purpose.

Was a easy mod when sold new,
Title: Re: Bob's retarder mod (split from Re: Transmission Retarder (joystick) not turning off cruise control)
Post by: Travelin' Man (RIP) on April 20, 2017, 09:15:14 am
Cruise control?.....................never heard of it.
Title: Re: Bob's retarder mod (split from Re: Transmission Retarder (joystick) not turning off cruise control)
Post by: craneman on April 20, 2017, 09:31:16 am
Activation of my retarder does not turn off my  cruise control.  On purpose.

Was a easy mod when sold new,
So you have throttle and retarder at the same time? I am assuming the cruise applies throttle.
Title: Re: Bob's retarder mod (split from Re: Transmission Retarder (joystick) not turning off cruise control)
Post by: Caflashbob on April 20, 2017, 09:41:07 am
Everything works normally.  Retrarder only works with no throttle on from any source.

Just does not  disengage the cruise every time the retarder activates.

If the lever is in the rest position retarder does not come on. 

Will tug back repeatedly down grades to maintain the set cruise speed without kicking off the cruise.  Lever still controls how much retardation you are using

Used to do 91 marquis with its 3176 engine the same way.  Customer preference software from Cat.

Engaged Jake.  2,4 or 6 cylinders were used as selected on a panel on the sidewall next to the drivers seat.

Customers loved it.  Up and down hills at 65 mph towing at 8.25mpg.

Title: Re: Bob's retarder mod (split from Re: Transmission Retarder (joystick) not turning off cruise control)
Post by: craneman on April 20, 2017, 09:48:12 am
Bob, what would happen if you retarded below set cruise speed in your situation? Throttle and retard?
Title: Re: Bob's retarder mod (split from Re: Transmission Retarder (joystick) not turning off cruise control)
Post by: Caflashbob on April 20, 2017, 12:10:46 pm
Craneman,

The retarder turns off.  Cruise applies throttle,  there is no abrupt movements depending on how far you have the lever moved off the rest position,

If I do not want some free mpg by moving the lever to its rest position on downgrades it will light the retarder light for a few seconds and you will feel the coach slow.

Then off.  If you gain speed again it turns on the retarder again.

No brainer other than selecting how much retardation is needed for the particular grade.

Or turn off the cruise and do it manually.

A proper selection of the lever keeps the retarder on continiously as long as the speed is higher than the cruises set speed, 

If you turn up the retardation enough to lower your speed below the cruises set speed the retarder light and action is turned off.

Works marvelously.  My x Foretravel sales buddy mentioned setting up all the ca stores coaches this way for their customers