Re: Allison Retarder switch Reply #25 – December 04, 2015, 08:02:32 pm Quote from: craneman – December 04, 2015, 08:58:11 amMy coach has both, and as I remember the switch gives three stages of resistance depending on brake pressure, nothing when you back off the throttle. On the joy stick the first position is off, then the next operates when you back off the throttle and further positions just more resistance as you move the stick.Just to clarify...... If I add the joystick and also keep the rocker switch, I can use the retarder as I do now with only the brake pedal (pressure) actuation OR I can use the joystick in one five positions and the retarder will activate when the accelerator pedal is released?Is there a switch that must be added to the accelerator pedal to send the signal to the Allison? Quote Selected
Re: Allison Retarder switch Reply #26 – December 04, 2015, 08:20:39 pm Quote from: craneman – December 04, 2015, 08:00:26 pmI take it not all Foretravels have 4 wheel disc brakes? The 1999 U320 has themAll the bigger Unihomes and Unicoaches have them. Not u225 or u240 or OREDS. Quote Selected
Re: Allison Retarder switch Reply #27 – December 04, 2015, 08:31:56 pm Quote from: FourTravelers – December 04, 2015, 08:02:32 pmJust to clarify...... If I add the joystick and also keep the rocker switch, I can use the retarder as I do now with only the brake pedal (pressure) actuation OR I can use the joystick in one five positions and the retarder will activate when the accelerator pedal is released?Is there a switch that must be added to the accelerator pedal to send the signal to the Allison?That is a question I can.t answer as mine came with both. I would guess that the joy stick installation would come with all hardware necessary. Quote Selected
Re: Allison Retarder switch Reply #28 – December 04, 2015, 09:36:46 pm You do not need to add another switch to make the allison work Quote Selected
Re: Allison Retarder switch Reply #29 – December 04, 2015, 09:40:32 pm Quote from: FourTravelers – December 04, 2015, 08:02:32 pmIs there a switch that must be added to the accelerator pedal to send the signal to the Allison?The switch is not added to the accelerator pedal but is a patch cord that hooks to your transmission ECM and joy stick.You should need the rheostat/joy stick (295-21372) and depending on if your coach has the retarder control kit you will need one of those (it will be hid behind the kick panel at your left foot) along with the Allison ECM. Be sure to check which control kit you need as there are several versions. Pamela & Mike Quote Selected
Re: Allison Retarder switch Reply #30 – December 05, 2015, 08:05:12 am Quote from: FourTravelers – December 04, 2015, 08:02:32 pmJust to clarify...... If I add the joystick and also keep the rocker switch, I can use the retarder as I do now with only the brake pedal (pressure) actuation OR I can use the joystick in one five positions and the retarder will activate when the accelerator pedal is released?That is correct. You can add the joystick and if you have the rocker switch "on" with the joystick in the farthest-forward position the retarder will be activated with brake pedal pressure but will not be automatically activated when you release the accelerator. If you move the joystick back one position then the retarder will begin to activate automatically when the accelerator is released. Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Allison Retarder switch Reply #31 – December 05, 2015, 08:25:58 am thanks D.J.Osborn,sounds like the best option, I'll start looking for a good price on the joystick and Y connector.We are planning on a 7500 mile "out west" trip next summer, would like to have it before then.Thanks to all for the information Quote Selected
Re: Allison Retarder switch Reply #32 – December 05, 2015, 10:57:21 am Quote from: FourTravelers – December 05, 2015, 08:25:58 amsounds like the best option, I'll start looking for a good price on the joystick and Y connector.We are planning on a 7500 mile "out west" trip next summer, would like to have it before then.I highly recommend having the retarder (with joystick control) for any serious mountain driving. We haven't yet used our Foretravel for any significant mountain driving in the West, but it certainly has been an important safety device on roads such as I-64 in West Virginia. It is very useful on long 6% downgrades for maintaining the proper speed with almost no use of the service brakes. I really like descending a steep mountain knowing that I'm keeping the service brakes at a nice temperature in case any sudden stop is required. I hope to never again drive a large motorhome without a transmission retarder! Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Allison Retarder switch Reply #33 – December 05, 2015, 11:20:31 am Quote from: D.J. Osborn link=msg=218450 date=14493310 We haven't yet used our Foretravel for any significant mountain driving in the West[/quoteYou will be happy ( & safe) to have all the braking possible out here. There is a drop in NE Wyoming that I later learned was called, "Oh my gawd hill". http://www.mountaindirectory.com/ dangerousroads Quote Selected
Re: Allison Retarder switch Reply #34 – December 05, 2015, 10:19:01 pm I just purchased the Y connector from Foretravel, Part # P28173 Hand Retard wire harness $23.08 plus shipping.I ordered the Joystick and Module from Ted at TKT SalesPart # 29521372 Retarder control lever $309.23Part # 29506474 Resistance Module $123.62 Plus shipping My understanding is these are the main parts required to add the Joystick to the coach. There is also a relay that can be added so the Brake lights come on when the Joystick is used.I am a newbie so I am sure other forum members have more information on this issue. I thought the current prices might be helpful. Quote Selected 3 Likes
Re: Allison Retarder switch Reply #35 – December 05, 2015, 11:15:17 pm Here is a little bit of information on Allison retarder operation and hookup. FWIWIrwin Quote Selected 3 Likes
Re: Allison Retarder switch Reply #36 – December 06, 2015, 08:00:58 am Thanks Capt.SRP and Irwin for that info................ appreciated! Quote Selected
Re: Allison Retarder switch Reply #37 – December 06, 2015, 10:21:27 am Thanks Irwin,That should be required reading by all FT owners with the retarder system, and would have eliminated some of the other theorys out there. And, some of the surprises that have happened over the years.I wish it had been in the manual that came with the coach, or had been mentioned by FT when I bought mine.But, only valid on coaches that have not been messed with, and changes made to the operation of the system.Brian. Quote Selected
Re: Allison Retarder switch Reply #38 – December 06, 2015, 11:57:09 am Interesting that Allison offers a retarder pedal. Infinitely variable not 6 position. Quote Selected
Re: Allison Retarder switch Reply #39 – December 06, 2015, 07:36:45 pm Quote from: Caflashbob – December 06, 2015, 11:57:09 amInteresting that Allison offers a retarder pedal. Infinitely variable not 6 position. We drove a Newell with one of the foot control retarder controls. Mike said that it has the effect of being a drummer in a stage band. Just like anything new, you would have to get familiar with it's operation. We couldn't tell any difference in how the foot control works compared to the hand control we have now.Pamela & Mike Quote Selected
Re: Allison Retarder switch Reply #40 – December 06, 2015, 07:40:10 pm Quote from: Pamela & Mike – December 06, 2015, 07:36:45 pmWe drove a Newell with one of the foot control retarder controls. Mike said that it has the effect of being a drummer in a stage band. Just like anything new, you would have to get familiar with it's operation. We couldn't tell any difference in how the foot control works compared to the hand control we have now.Pamela & MikeWhere was the pedal located? Did it have a lever also? Quote Selected
Re: Allison Retarder switch Reply #41 – December 06, 2015, 08:16:02 pm Quote from: Caflashbob – December 06, 2015, 07:40:10 pm1.Where was the pedal located? 2.Did it have a lever also?1. Located in the same area as where your dimmer switch use to be located prior to it being put on the turn signal switch. (or said another way just left of the steering column)2. No hand lever just the foot control.Pamela & Mike Quote Selected
Re: Allison Retarder switch Reply #42 – December 06, 2015, 08:20:13 pm Quote from: Pamela & Mike – December 06, 2015, 08:16:02 pm1. Located in the same area as where your dimmer switch use to be located prior to it being put on the turn signal switch. (or said another way just left of the steering column)2. No hand lever just the foot control.Pamela & MikeAh left foot braking...thanks .Wonder if both the pedal and lever could be installed? Might as well be a drummer Quote Selected
Re: Allison Retarder switch Reply #43 – September 07, 2016, 01:12:08 pm Old thread, new related question.I would want the retarder to NOT light up the brake lights in the rear. Is that easily accomplished? Year models (future purchase) would be 2001 to 2004 U320. Reason: coming down a long grade with controlled descent I don't want the brake lights on the entire time. If I need to brake harder with service brakes for some roadside problem, that is when I want the brake lights to first light up to warn those behind me (especially the occasional tail gaiters). Quote Selected
Re: Allison Retarder switch Reply #44 – September 07, 2016, 01:21:51 pm Quote from: AC7880 – September 07, 2016, 01:12:08 pmI would want the retarder to NOT light up the brake lights in the rear. Is that easily accomplished? Year models (future purchase) would be 2001 to 2004 U320. I can't speak for other years, but the retarder on our 1995 does not activate the brake lights. Quote Selected
Re: Allison Retarder switch Reply #45 – September 07, 2016, 01:35:09 pm Our 97 has a popular owner/dealer mod where the retarder works on cruise control. I think the brake lights come on also. Quote Selected
Re: Allison Retarder switch Reply #46 – September 07, 2016, 01:44:21 pm The factory install on my '99 brake lights come on with retarder. Don't know if I would want it any other way. Going down a grade using the retarder I will be slower than prevailing traffic and I want them to know that. Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Allison Retarder switch Reply #47 – September 07, 2016, 01:51:53 pm We have a dash switch that we installed to choose if we want brake lights on with retard. Useful to for Dan's reason, but more useful to not drop out of cruise when driving on highway with joy stick in retard positions. When retard turns on brake light: on slight down hills, throttle comes up, retard comes on, brake light comes on dropping cruise. With our switch normally in no brake light with retard: on slight down hills, throttle comes up, retard comes on, brake light does not drop cruise, and on bottom of hill throttle kicks back on, turning off retard, and off we go driving down the highway in cruise control. Of course, if we had the joy stick in zero retard position, cruise would not kick off on down hills.Generally, King Cruise Control is connected to brake light switch wire, so it knows to turn off when 12-volts are lighting brake lights. So if Bob & Susan have retard brake lights without dropping cruise, their coach could be wired differently. Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Allison Retarder switch Reply #48 – September 07, 2016, 02:20:40 pm The story on why some coaches have brake lights with retard and others don't goes back to the time Foretravel installed Allison transmission retarders that were brake pedal activated, but did not have the operator activated joy stick. And since brake pedal already activates brake lights, there was no need for retard to also activate brake lights.When joy stick was standard factory installed equipment, brake lights come on with either or both joy stick and brake pedal.In between no joy stick and factory installed joy stick years, Foretravel service or others were buying Allison joy sticks and installing them on side panel in an open switch position. Some installed with full retard pulled back (like ours) and others installed the joy stick with full retard pushed forward. Just how the joy stick was mounted.After market joy stick used a "y" splitter cable that connected the new joy stick to the Allison wiring plug the brake pedal was using. This added joy stick retard, but without retard brake lights.The brake pedal uses a pair of air pressure activated switches mounted on forward wall of street side forward compartment to turn on brake lights. Some joy stick installations added a relay next to the air pressure switches that was wired parallel with air switches, so that brake lights turned on with front air brakes, rear air brakes and/or Allison retard. All installations have a factory relay on the front 12-volt big panel board that is closed when Allison retard is active. This relay does not interact with brake lights. After market joy sticks had a new wire from this front panel factory retard relay to the optional new relay next to the above air brake switches. So when front panel retard relay is closed, the new brake light relay closes, turning on brake lights.If one puts a dash switch on this new optional added wire, driver can control if brake lights come on with retard or not. Quote Selected 3 Likes
Re: Allison Retarder switch Reply #49 – September 07, 2016, 02:32:39 pm Interesting thread. Got me wondering if our Pac-Brake ( with "on/off" switch )activates the brake lights, as well. Not a fan of having that feature, as others have posted. Quote Selected
Topic: Allison Retarder switch