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Reprogram Allison trans
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Tom,
Last I heard, truck drivers have stick shifts–different ballgame. Besides, most of the truckers we see these days are busy eating, updating their log, talking on the phone etc. When I drive, I concentrate on my driving and managing the cockpit to include the cruise on and off as needed, Jake on and off as needed, while paying attention to traffic all around, and particularly in front. Besides, I bet I can hit the Jake switch a lot faster than a trucker can downshift.Harry,
The reason for the no engine brake signs you see is that some trucks, somehow has the exhaust bypass the muffler(s), when the Jake is engaged, which makes a very loud noise, not dear to many towns. As far as I know, all motorhomes with Jakes route the exhaust through the mufflers at all times, and are much quieter when the Jake is engaged. With the Jake on, the exhaust valve opens at the top of what would be the power stroke, and you get a loud popping sound. Unmuffled, it gets very loud. -
Per,
I guess we have a different interpretation of both the use of a supplemental braking device like a Jake and what is an acceptable engagement.
Regarding engagement I am certain that if you were able to put your transmission in drive with the engine revved up even a little bit you would not because it would be a little harsh. When it went into gear, even with the torque converter not locked up it would be banging on your U joints and gears trying to match the driveline to the engine speed. Yet that is what is happening with your million mile bus only with the coach the Jake also is dealing with a locked up torque converter and is not cushioned at all with the hydraulic cushion of an unlocked torque converter.
But it is your bus.
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Big truck Jake brake noise not going through the muffler! The altitude in Driggs has finally got to you Per.
Please tell us where the Jake noise (air) escapes the muffler?
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I dont wear my seatbelt. I only put it on if im about to be involved in an accident.
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That is the best post in this thread.
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Tom,
Maybe the exhaust doesn’t bypass the muffler, but it sure sounds like it when an 18-wheeler has the Jake on, and that is the reason Jakes are prohibited in many towns. With both Jake brake equipped coaches we’ve had, the noise is minimal.
Jon,
I guess we won’t agree on this issue. I am very comfortable with this setup, perhaps we only get 800,000 miles on our coach–we can compare wear when we reach that point. I’ll be 150 by then–guess you’ll be a coupe of years older.
I still say my setup is safer, since the moment the Jake is on, I get max braking. I don’t have to manually downshift to get braking. There is very little braking action in 6th gear.
And I call BS on the seat belt comment!
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You guys are a hoot! I wear a seatbelt but I don’t buckle it! -
What belt Harry, you haven’t seen your bus in months.:) It’s not even in Vonore anymore.
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Hi Folks,
Tom, you are right of course, I have not had my coach for awhile now. And I’m not a bit surprised to find my coach is no longer in Vonore. Jon has always been lusting over the House batterie system in my coach and wanting it as his own. And Tom, you’ve been after the wood ceiling in my coach. So this comes as no surprise to me!
I have about 8 guys who asked me every once in awhile the status of my coach? I don’t have that answer, but I can tell you of a dream I had last night.
In my dream I had died and gone to meet St Peter at the golden gates and noticed this guy walking next to me wearing a Prevost Community hat on his head and an outfit from the last Village People concert. I recognized him immediately as Jeff from ETLC!
St Peter greeted us and immediately apologized saying that the quota for heaven today is one and with two of us here, one of us had to go back! He then told us he’s well aware that everyone from earth loves a game of chance. So here’s what we’ll do… Whomever comes up with the best poem in one minute gets into heaven.
I said to St Peter this just isn’t right, I always heard Heaven to be a fair place and this isn’t fair at all. I’m just a resident beanbag but Jeff here is a Prevost specialist schooled in the art of poetry. You can’t expect me to compete with him on poetry of all things? St Peter said you’re right Harry so in the poem must be the word “Timbucktoo”. I said “Timbucktoo, are you kidding me”!
Not more than 10 seconds passes when Jeff says, St Peter I have mine;
“Among life’s dying embers and all life takes us through, my heart goes back in fondness for that place called Timbucktoo!”
I’m thinking “are you kidding me, no one can beat that”! After about 50 seconds I say ok St Peter I have mine;
“On a hunting trip Tim and I a-went and espied three maidens in their tent, though they were three and we were two, I bucked one and Timbucktoo!”
Harry
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Can we get a “Like” button added to the Forum?
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I’d much rather save on the service brakes and use the Jake like it was meant to.
It was not designed to do what you do. It is a tool that is meant to be left on so it is available all the time. As Tom pointed out, truck drivers do not turn it on and off, but leave it on. And, FYI, many, if not most, trucks today have automated transmissions of some kind.
The only time that drivers used to turn off the Jake was in the winter on icy roads, before the ABS and Jake were tied togehter, They did that to avoid jack knife accidents.
Having to fix or replace the transmission is going to cost you far more than any minuscule fuel savings you are going to see.
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So Mark, what do you base your information on. Is that a quote out of an Allison or DD manual?
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Per,
Mark once owned a fleet of trucks in the hundreds. I’m pretty sure he is well qualified to discuss the use of the Jake.
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Right out of the Operator Manual for the Jacobs Engine Brake…
The Jacobs Engine Brake depends on the free ow of engine oil for
operation, so be sure to let the engine reach a minimum operating
temperature of 40°C/104°F before switching on the engine brake.
Normally, the engine brake is then left in the “On” position whenever
you are driving. The exception is when roads are slippery due to poor
weather conditions. Refer to Pg. 10 for specific operating instructions. The Jacobs Engine Brake is a vehicle-slowing device, not a vehicle-
stopping device. It is not a substitute for the service braking system.
The vehicle’s service brakes must be used to bring the vehicle to a
complete stop. However, by appropriately using the engine brake for
your slowing needs, the service brakes will remain cool and ready to
provide their maximum stopping power when needed. -
Mark,
You claim I don’t use the Jake like I’m supposed to, yet, from your quote: However, by appropriately using the engine brake for your slowing needs, the service brakes will remain cool and ready to provide their maximum stopping power when needed.
I use the Jake to slow down, and to control speed as needed. As far as turning it off, I challenge you to give me one good reason not to turn it off on the interstate with no traffic. If I had a fleet of truck drivers, I would certainly tell them to leave the Jake on too. The truck drivers we see these days do about everything except drive their truck. They are all over the lanes, eating, on the phone, and who knows what else. Emulating truck drivers is not on my list.
As far as the neck-snapping go with the down-shifts, I paid particular attention to gear shifts going through Yellowstone. I found most downshifts are no worse than putting the transmission in gear starting out. Also some shifts, particularly with the performance setting on (no Jake), were as harsh as any downshifts with the Jake. I drove through the park mostly with the Jake on, with the 2nd gear setting, I get immediate braking when I lift off the throttle, just in case of animals–no need to reach for the shift pad. Did see an elk about to jump out, but he changed his mind.
Prevost owners talk about how Prevosts are built beavy duty and will last a million miles. yet you tell everyone to baby the coach. Can’t talk out of both sides of your mouth!
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