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Allison Retarder Operation

Quote from: AC7880 –
So when you have the retarder selected to on, does the system use a throttle position sensor to see zero throttle, preselect a downshift, then actually begin transmission braking? 

On our coach there is a switch to select whether or not the retarder is able to be activated. When that switch is "on" the retarder can be activated by pressing the service brake pedal or by moving the "joystick" to a forward position. The more forward the joystick position the more retarding force is provided. If I have the joystick in a forward position there is no retarding force until the throttle is released, and then the retarder is activated when the throttle is released.

Edit: I need to check to see whether it moves forward or backward to activate the retarder. Its operation is so second-nature at this point that I don't even think about the direction it moves!

Additional Edit: After checking the joystick I realize I had suffered some form of brain fade. The joystick normally rests in a forward position, and I move it toward the rear to activate the retarder.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Allison Retarder Operation

Reply #1 –
Interesting that David's joy stick is mounted 180 degrees from ours.  We pull back to increase retard and go full forward to have zero retard.

Re: Allison Retarder Operation

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
Interesting that David's joy stick is mounted 180 degrees from ours.  We pull back to increase retard and go full forward to have zero retard.

Ditto
Dennis & Martha Harrell
2000 Foretravel U320
2014 GMC 4X4 Sierra Crew Cab Pickup

Re: Allison Retarder Operation

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
Interesting that David's joy stick is mounted 180 degrees from ours.  We pull back to increase retard and go full forward to have zero retard.

Now you have made me stop and think! I'll need to double-check, since at this point the joystick operation seems to be so second-nature I'm not even certain about which direction it moves!
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Allison Retarder Operation

Reply #4 –
Pull back for "whoa"
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Allison Retarder Operation

Reply #5 –
Mine is push forward to increase its braking effect.

My buddy relocated mine to the middle of the nine switch panel where my arm naturally falls during driving.
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Allison Retarder Operation

Reply #6 –
We also just moved our joy stick back one slot where it is easier to operate.

Re: Allison Retarder Operation

Reply #7 –
Mine is "Pull Back"
John and Stacey Smith
Motorcade NO: 11973
1997 U295 CSGI 40'..Build No. 5036     
920 Watts on the roof..CAT Power w/fuel Inj. Programmer
2021 GMC Sierra AT4 1500
EX..2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
Ex 1990 U280 RSAI 36'..Build No. 3638

Re: Allison Retarder Operation

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
Interesting that David's joy stick is mounted 180 degrees from ours.  We pull back to increase retard and go full forward to have zero retard.

Ours is push forward  to activate.  [Keith Resch (now at MOT) said that while he worked at FOT he had installed all retarder joysticks this way (forward to slow) until someone at FOT told him to start doing it the other way.]
Grant and Betty
1996  U320C  40' WTBI 4949, Xtreme FBP 2011
2003 CRV

Re: Allison Retarder Operation

Reply #9 –
Mine is a push forward. When Gary O was checking me out in it he said that was weird. His is a pull back. ^.^d
Greg & Nettie
1998 U320 40Ft Limited Edition
Build #5382
2014 Ford Cmax toad
Escapee #122299

Re: Allison Retarder Operation

Reply #10 –
I agree with craneman, pull back for whoa. Had a freind who took a driving coarse at an FMCA rally and was actually told that the brake set button was pulled to set the brake because you pulled on the reigns of a horse to stop it. Must be a company that's been in business longer than FT.  ^.^d
Larry
1996 U295 36'
Build # 4805
Actually we sold it but just like to lurk

Re: Allison Retarder Operation

Reply #11 –
Quote from: lgshoup –
I agree with craneman, pull back for whoa. Had a freind who took a driving coarse at an FMCA rally and was actually told that the brake set button was pulled to set the brake because you pulled on the reigns of a horse to stop it. Must be a company that's been in business longer than FT.  ^.^d

Great grandpaw Fore built wagons in Nac
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Allison Retarder Operation

Reply #12 –
I suppose it's down to what one learned with. I could see that going forward for more retardation could make sense as when you use the treadle valve, You push it forward to activate it. So why not the joystick.
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: Allison Retarder Operation

Reply #13 –
I installed mine and mounted it to retard when pulled back (or actually down) as I mounted it in the dash to the left of the steering column. I thought it to be in the way if mounted with the rocker switches.
Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota
 

Re: Allison Retarder Operation

Reply #14 –
Mine is where your aux light yellow switch is now on yours.

"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4