Re: Retarder Reply #25 – June 28, 2017, 06:50:58 pm in a descent with the retarder on, using a lower gear will also keep the engine revs up which will produce more cooling for the transmission cooler.Also, the retarder will not engage while the cruise control is engaged. (this should be obvious).Love the retarder. Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Retarder Reply #26 – June 28, 2017, 07:58:01 pm My retarder is set to work with the the cruise in a zero throttle position it will come on if power is on to the retarder Quote Selected
Re: Retarder Reply #27 – June 28, 2017, 09:07:24 pm Call me analog, but I like the toggle switch on the Allison shift console, lower left at arm's length. Quote Selected
Re: Retarder Reply #28 – June 28, 2017, 09:41:16 pm To me (a rookie) I would prefer the retarder not to engage until I touch brakes. Many times can coast comfortably for awhile and don't need the braking help. To each their own. I will learn the design and follow it's parameters. Still the most confident rv I have piloted by far. Quote Selected
Re: Retarder Reply #29 – June 28, 2017, 09:48:12 pm One thing to remember breaktime, you have to be FULLY off the throttle. As our coaches have electronic throttle pedals. It doesn't take much pressure for electrons to flow. It might be the case that when you "thought" you were off the throttle. Your foot still might have been lightly on it for a few moments. You'll get used to it quickly enough.When on the hiway and I'm not encountering overly steep hills. I always leave the retarder activated when on cruise control as it keeps me from going over the speed limit on a slight down hill grade. Once the coach goes a couple of MPH's over the set cruise speed the retarder will do it's thing and throw the anchor out automatically. Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Retarder Reply #30 – June 29, 2017, 12:54:33 am The benefit/problem is that the disk brakes are cold blooded and made for much heavier loads than an early u300 or u320.So I turn off the retarder normally and use the service brakes to deglaze them in every drive and to keep them warmed up a little.In traffic if they cool off too much the emergency stopping distance is increased maybe too much.So I have warmed up wheel brakes and the retarder on on crowded freeways.Retarder on the second position. Throttle off decelerate with the bumper to bumper traffic down to 10 mph.As the traffic opens up back to first position then on more open areas turn off the retarder totally.But the switch to turn on the retarder is next to my seat and without moving I can engage it.If traffic panic stops in front of me I can turn on the retarder quick enough to help in an emergency.If not leave it on. Quote Selected
Re: Retarder Reply #31 – June 29, 2017, 03:04:54 pm I have the toggle, no joy stick. First two owners lived in Kansas. I have family in Abq and Portland Oregon. Is it worth upgrading to joy stick? What is cost and where have it done. Live in North TExas. Quote Selected
Re: Retarder Reply #32 – June 29, 2017, 03:31:23 pm Joystick is 6 position control for retarder that operates independent of the brake actuator. Said another way you can actuate the retarder without actuating the brakes. Yes, it is very much worth having in my opinion. My recollection is that the parts are in the $600 range and the wiring may already be present in the panel next to the driver. A quick call to Foretravel will give you the cost of parts and labor. Quote Selected
Re: Retarder Reply #33 – June 29, 2017, 03:35:03 pm This is a great thread...only driven my coach about 400 miles so far and still learning the right way to use it. I was leaving it on at all times but last night bringing it home from storage (on city streets) I turned it off and it was more pleasurable to drive...that engagement when throttle is let off..it becomes annoying..especially for the passenger..lol Quote Selected
Re: Retarder Reply #34 – June 29, 2017, 03:49:19 pm Mike Minegar, Welcome to Foretravel ownership and the forum. The throttle off activation is a standard across all heavy duty diesels. It was the same with my Jake (compression) brakes on both of my Mack trucks (Mack Engines) and my Kenworth (Caterpillar C15 engine). The compression brakes/retarders always activated at throttle release, Not service brake application. Like you, I deactivate the retarder on city street stop and go driving as it is a bit annoying and actually quite unnecessary. Quote Selected
Re: Retarder Reply #35 – June 29, 2017, 04:13:26 pm Mike,Many folks have installed a normally closed (NC) 12 volt relay in the retarder circuit to allow usage of the brake pedal to deactivate the retarder - thus coasting is easier to do. The switch is left turned on (though the light will remain off) and the relay shuts off the circuit for you.The output wire for the retarder rocker switch is looped though a pair of NC relay contacts.. The primary of the relay is activated by looping any 12 VDC source to ground at the cold (non-grounded yet) side of the brake switch. Touching the brakes cause a ground to occur to activate the relay coil.So, when you step on the brake pedal (for even a short tap) that momentarily releases the relay's NC contacts to break the circuit. This is the same shut-off action as the red retarder switch causes, only you don't have to use your hand to do it. As soon as you accelerate again the retarder is available because it is already available by the relay NC contacts. The switch's red light will go on and off with the use of accelerator and brake pedals as usual. I leave my retarder stick in any backward setting that I have preselected and can change the stick position at any time. Jim2002 U320 Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Retarder Reply #36 – June 30, 2017, 06:18:34 pm Wolf Creek pass no sweat. Trans temp max 225. Was more of a chore getting up the hill than down. These machines are awesome best rv driving experience ever. I do encounter something strange when we left this am. When retarder would activate air pressure dropped into alarm levels 70 psi would keep falling until switched off retarder. After everything up to operating temp no problems back to normal and ideas?Thanks Joey Quote Selected
Re: Retarder Reply #37 – June 30, 2017, 06:48:50 pm Quote from: Breaktime – June 30, 2017, 06:18:34 pm When retarder would activate air pressure dropped into alarm levels 70 psi would keep falling until switched off retarder. After everything up to operating temp no problems back to normal and ideas?Joey,You may have had the air dryer purge could have been stuck open but this wouldn't have anything to do with the retarder use. How long has it been sense the dryer has been serviced? Here is another thought that is directly tied to your retarder use. Your retarder air valve could have had either stuck open or had a piece of trash holding it open causing loss of air. Even wide open though your compressor should be able to keep up so this is remote possibility. If it somewhat corrected itself after it was used a while the trash/bug may have been expelled. Here is a link to what you will be looking for on the end of your retarder accumulator tank. Allison retarder air valve Just so happens this post was to clean the remains of a dirt/mud dauber that was causing a similar trouble, you could here the air leak but never lost enough air to cause an alarm. If you find that the exhaust of the valve is dumping air you may be able to give it a tap with a hammer to get it to close till you can give the valve a cleaning.Pamela & Mike Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Retarder Reply #38 – June 30, 2017, 06:58:31 pm Thanks for link will check it out. Just installed reman air dryer after scares of failure. Certain it is tied to retarder system. Quote Selected
Re: Retarder Reply #39 – June 30, 2017, 07:09:33 pm Quote from: Breaktime – June 30, 2017, 06:58:31 pmThanks for link will check it out. Just installed reman air dryer after scares of failure. Certain it is tied to retarder system. I'm not that technical, care to explain how it is tied? Quote Selected
Re: Retarder Reply #40 – June 30, 2017, 07:23:14 pm I am learning but from my driving experience with the FT retarder is air actuated and also released. Watching pressure gauge it drops with retarder engage and can hear it release with deactivation either throttle or speed. Quote Selected
Re: Retarder Reply #41 – June 30, 2017, 10:47:29 pm Came to a 14% down grade on Rt 12 south of Torrey, Utah, yesterday. Four miles of being thankful I have a retarder that works! Quote Selected 5 Likes
Re: Retarder Reply #42 – July 09, 2017, 04:18:35 pm Ok here is more info just returned from 2000+ mile trip. Seems retarder acts up in am. Today much worse. But we are home. When apply brakes and retarder is supposed to engage. It either lights up and engages or it lights up and can hear air leak drops air pressure fast but no help in deceleration from retarder. Retarder does not engage. I think this maybe a solenoid not sure. I can hear problem it is up front somewhere. Also question if it is solenoid because at engagement I am obviously opening solenoid and losing air. Don't know enough about how it operates. Again. Thanks for any and all help. Saw 3 Foretravels on our Journey thru TX, NM, CO and OK. Quote Selected
Topic: Retarder