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Topic: PAC Brake (Read 514 times) previous topic - next topic

PAC Brake

Do any of you have both an Allison transmission retarder and a PAC brake?

Re: PAC Brake

Reply #1 –
 There may bo one out there but really a Pac Brake is not needed with the Allsion retarder. My 295 does fine with just Allison
JohnH

Re: PAC Brake

Reply #2 –
I'm really curious about my recently acquired U295.  It has both.  It has two rocker switches on the control panel, and Foretravel service records (by a previous owner).

Re: PAC Brake

Reply #3 –
I recall running across that combination before, might even be your coach.  I talked to the owner maybe three or four years ago, he wanted it that way, and Foretravel is very accommodating. As I recall, he was a Motorcade member and had his coach available for sale at the time.

Re: PAC Brake

Reply #4 –
The advantage of having both is minimal, as the retarder on the first of six steps is probably more effective than the PAC.  Using both together might slightly reduce heating of the transmission fluid by the retarder on a long grade. But using the service brake once to slow down enough to drop to a lower gear while reducing the retarder will also work.

Re: PAC Brake

Reply #5 –
I have a PacBrake and love it but no transmission retarder. The PacBrake is not as powerful as the retarder so I would probably not use that in traffic but the retarder instead. Where the PacBrake would be handy would be in big mountains on hot days as the retarder can heat the transmission fluid.

The brakes on that U295 must be like new. :P

Craig

Re: PAC Brake

Reply #6 –
Yes, Tom, you nailed that one.  He was the previous owner.

Re: PAC Brake

Reply #7 –
My U270 has both, it didn't have joystick when I purchased, I installed it after I bought it.
Regards ,Irwin

Re: PAC Brake

Reply #8 –
Irwin, what is your operating procedure?  Have you used both at the same time?  I presume that the retarder will provide better performance at lower speeds (in city traffic) and that the PAC might likely be the brake of choice on steep (mountainous) grades in hot weather?

Re: PAC Brake

Reply #9 –
I usually use the PAC brake in town , seems to be smooth. I don't like the big down shift at highway speeds, so mostly use retarder at highway speeds , like off ramps.
Regards,Irwin
PS it would be nice if you would post your coach information, if you like . It always helps if you need some kind of help with your coach sometime. FWIW
 

Re: PAC Brake

Reply #10 –
The previous owner (Motorcade member) had the Allison shift point set to 5th gear.  I had intended to get the change made myself, but didn't need to.  Anyway, that really works well for me and avoids the big down-shift that you mentioned.

I thought that our coach info was in my profile.  Apparently, I didn't save it correctly.