Jake Brake Question

[JackConrad]

Now that we have Jake Brakes, I have a question.  Since Jakes provide braking, do any of ya'll with Jakes have them connected to any kind of warning light on the back of the bus (red or amber)?  Jack

[luvrbus]

Jack, mine are connected to to brake lights some states require you too have a 3rd light or tied to the brake lights when using Jake's or any other deceleration device.
It maybe a Federal requirement now but I am not sure on that one 

good luck

[mikelutestanski]

Hello:  My retarder is tied to the brake light circuit which tells those behind that I am slowing down.
    Regards and happy bussin   mike

[tomhamrick]

Ya think that BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! sound would be enough.     Mine are not tied to the lights but I want to do that soon.
Tom Hamrick
1984 Eagle 10S

[luvrbus]

Tom, you can do it 2 ways if you use your switch each time for the Jake's tie into the stop light switch, if you leave the switch on like I do tie to buffer switch but either way it has to have a 50 amp relay with a built in diode cost about 6 bucks from Del City Electronics.


good luck

[tomhamrick]

Hi luvrbus,  I understand about the diode, but can you explain why it has to be a 50 amp relay? Seems a lot for 2 brake lights.  Thanks for the info.
Tom Hamrick
1984 Eagle 10S

[NJT 5573]

I have always unhooked the brake light connection on my Jakes. Generally I push the speed limit a little if traffic allows, its just my way, it helps keep me awake and alert. Its also a game every professional driver plays with Smokey everyday to keep a license in his pocket.

When I pass an oncomming Smokey Bear, weather I am fudging the speed limit a little or not, my uncontrollable action is to pull my foot off the pedal. If he looks across the freeway the first thing he see's is all my brake lights come on.

If I look in my mirror, the next thing I usually see is the Smokey doing a U turn! Then I get an interview and sometimes an autograph! I prefer not to draw any attention so I don't wire brake lights to Jake switches.

Jakes don't offer the kind of braking power that service brakes do, and no one has ever ran into me, so I don't see its an issue. If it's law, they gotta catch me!

[busshawg]

I'm with NJT, I have never had the jakes hooked into my brakes on the bus or any of the commercial vehicles I have driven, I did have one unit that did have a brake light switch , but that was to turn the lights off when making an application, easier to sneak around at night. You commercial drivers will know what I'm talking about.

[luvrbus]

Tom, I am wired for 4 stop lights top and the bottom with your LEDs and just 2 it may be a overkill for you.I forget not all Eagles are wired for 4  

good luck

[loosenut]

I use is my flashers when I'm going down a sizable hill with the Jakes engaged.  Otherwise I view the Jake action more as down shifting than braking.  On a steep hill, I signal to the speed jockey's to move over to another lane. 

On the interstate, I also use the flashers when my speed drops below 40 mph going up a hill to help people plan their course of action.

I always wonder if I'm breaking the law by going slower than 40.

Mike

[bevans6]

There doesn't seem to be a uniform minimum speed limit, although there are often minimum speed limits posted.  Sometimes you might see a sign to use flashers if below a certain speed.  The rule of thumb seems to be 50 is the minimum speed limit where the max is 70, and 45 where the max is 55.  I think 40 is the lowest I've every seen.  I've never had to go up a hill on an interstate at 40 yet, so some of my upcoming trips may have even more "firsts" than I expect.

Brian

[Hartley]

Sometimes you don't have a choice of going below 40.. Depends on the trucks in front of you that have a hard time pulling 80,000 uphill on a 7% grade that is 8 miles long. ( I should have also included the guy pulling a 33 foot travel trailer with his V-6 pickup truck... Geeezzz..)

Or in my recent past, losing speed due to injectors starving for fuel...clog city!
Fixed that... Not happening again... Darned Fords!!!!