Jake Brake Install

[Geoff]

I give up.

[luvrbus]

It's a option DOT Standard 108 for Jakes or a retarder,the school buses here the brake lights activate the Jakes and they drop out at 15mph   

[Boomer]

New coaches came with brake light jake activation since the late '90's.  We simply pulled the breaker on that circuit.

[richard5933]

I give up.

Not sure why - yours is the option I liked the best. If the Jakes are more than marginally effective adding the third LED brake light seems like the most logical way to go.

I want to see how things go before doing the mod though.

[thomasinnv]

My DL3 is a 1998 and factory setup on the jakes does not activate the brake lights. Most stick and staple pushers I have come across with jakes usually activate the brake lights. Clifford how is your DL3 setup?

[luvrbus]

The Jakes or the retarder does not activate my brakes lighs on my DL3.I doubt it will ever become a DOT rule

[Fred Mc]

It seems to me that the intention of brake lights is to signal to a following driver that you are slowing down regardless of HOW you are doing it-service brakes, jake brakes or dragging your foot. I don't have jakes(unfortunately) but I think they slow you down.

[luvrbus]

It seems to me that the intention of brake lights is to signal to a following driver that you are slowing down regardless of HOW you are doing it-service brakes, jake brakes or dragging your foot. I don't have jakes(unfortunately) but I think they slow you down.

You have 4 way flasher if you slow down to much
that is the purpose of those ,the millions of trucks on the road you never see a 3rd light warning for engine brake use

[richard5933]

It seems to me that the intention of brake lights is to signal to a following driver that you are slowing down regardless of HOW you are doing it-service brakes, jake brakes or dragging your foot. I don't have jakes(unfortunately) but I think they slow you down.

Guess it all depends on how strongly the braking action is from the Jakes once they're installed and I get to give them a test on the road. If I find that they are providing a decent braking action and really causing us to slow down, I'll probably wire the brake light circuit to the Jakes. However, if I find that what they are really doing is keeping us from gaining speed or only slightly slowing us down it might be more confusing to drivers behind me. Imagine a 5 or 6 mile downhill grade where the Jakes are just helping us maintain current speed? They'd be activated all the way down the hill and would keep the brake lights on the whole time.  Guess I'll know more of which way to go once things are completed and installed.

Right now, it's just a waiting game till things are done. Ran into a slight hiccup, as we're waiting for the fuel pump to arrive, and that has to be done before the Jake install can be completed. Apparently a cooling line had to be removed to gain access to the fuel pump, which necessitated draining the coolant. The mechanic didn't close the valves on the bulkhead, so he drained all 23 gallons and has to re-bleed the system. Not a big problem but additional time (that I'm not paying for).

Always seems to be something to slow things down. Glad that I brought the bus to them early in the season so I'm not chomping at the bit to get on the road.

[sledhead]

you can always just apply the brake peddle just enough so to turn on the brake lights if you want to ? that's what I do if I see some dumb @$# behind me cumming up fast

dave

[Geoff]

that's what I do if I see some dumb @$# behind me cumming up fast

dave

Sounds a little risque.

[chessie4905]

Uhh...who's going to follow you? Ones that cannot pass? Trucks already know you are slowing while going down a grade, just like 99% of the other trucks on the road.

[6805eagleguy]

the millions of trucks on the road you never see a 3rd light warning for engine brake use

In this country we have cattle haulers deluxe, followed one the other day he never touched the brakes once to turn off the highway from 65 mph.
But then here a town of 8000 is a big town so all drivers wave at each other....  In a big city I can see why you would want it.
Just a matter of your personal opinion. There are ups and downs of both ways...  Same as everything

[eagle19952]

confuse them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_x7wpzwKMM

[muldoonman]

My 91 lights um up when activated. Usually if they're on,  I'm slowing down. Hence, brake lights. Don't run into me.