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Topic: 1993 U225 Brake Options? (Read 793 times) previous topic - next topic

1993 U225 Brake Options?

My U225 has nothing except the pedal brake and I'd like something in addition on long and steep grades but I don't know what will work with my coach. I've got the 5.9 Cummins. Any suggestions?
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: 1993 U225 Brake Options?

Reply #1 –
Quote from: Dakota Slim –
My U225 has nothing except the pedal brake and I'd like something in addition on long and steep grades but I don't know what will work with my coach. I've got the 5.9 Cummins. Any suggestions? 

Our '93 U-240 CAT has a  PACBRAKE retarder, you might check with them. Would not be without one out here in the West! 1.800.663.0096 or Google.
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
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                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: 1993 U225 Brake Options?

Reply #2 –
Pacbrake seems to be the best exhaust brake on the market. How effective it is depends on five factors, displacement, rpm, bypass orifice size, transmission lockup, and how many PSI of back pressure your exhaust valves can handle. The mountain tamer exhaust brake I have is no longer made but works ok on my motor which is limited to 35 PSI I think. Never touch the brakes very often on grades or at other times to slow down. My transmission is only locked up in third and fourth where an exhaust brake is more effective.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: 1993 U225 Brake Options?

Reply #3 –
Thank you for the replies gentlemen but my understanding is different engines need different equipment. I'm hoping to hear from someone with a 1993 U225 with a 5.9 cummins.
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: 1993 U225 Brake Options?

Reply #5 –
I installed a Jacobs exhaust brake in my 1992 Dodge with your engine, then after 350K miles switched it to my 1998 Dodge which now has 275K miles.  The only problem I've ever had was a failed Bosch relay.  I also installed the increased back pressure exhaust springs to maximize the effectiveness of the brake.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: 1993 U225 Brake Options?

Reply #6 –
As was mentioned there are several important points here.  The 643 Allison trans locks its torque converter halfway through third gear and all of fourth gear.  Max effectiveness without  trans heating is locked up.

The 360 cu in motor power and retardation from a exhaust brake are proportional.
"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: 1993 U225 Brake Options?

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Caflashbob –
As was mentioned there are several important points here.  The 643 Allison trans locks its torque converter halfway through third gear and all of fourth gear.  Max effectiveness without  trans heating is locked up.

The 360 cu in motor power and retardation from a exhaust brake are proportional.
Thank you for the comments. I'm trying to understand all of this. What happens when the torque converter locks?
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: 1993 U225 Brake Options?

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Caflashbob –
  The 643 Allison trans locks its torque converter halfway through third gear and all of fourth gear.  Max effectiveness without  trans heating is locked up.

Bob, would you or another gear head explain "Lock-up"? I've heard the term many times, but don't know if I do that off the shift pad by downshifting, or does the Allison do it on it's own? Thanks, M
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: 1993 U225 Brake Options?

Reply #9 –
Allison does it on its own. You can't manually control it. When it is unlocked torque multiplication takes place and heat is generated. When locked up the input to the trans. is locked to the engine rpm and no heat build up. What Bob was saying is when in the upper half of third gear and all of fourth the Pac Brake would have maximum efficiency.
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: 1993 U225 Brake Options?

Reply #10 –
Our '93 U225 with the 5.9 Cummins had a Pacbrake. It worked very well.
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs
 

Re: 1993 U225 Brake Options?

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Carol Savournin –
Our '93 U225 with the 5.9 Cummins had a Pacbrake. It worked very well.

Thank you Carol.
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird