jacobs electric retarder------ help

[Peggy & Ed McStay]

a few weeks ago my retarder brake stopped working and now its time to
look for the problem. i have looked at the prints and info in the files
and it tells me to check the 6amp fuse in line to the switch. can
anyone tell me how to fine this fuse or do you know where it might be.
it is a pain in the b---, but i hope that is the problem. i have
checked the 12volt power to the retarder itsself and i have the
required power. i have not opened the contact box yet and hope that i
dont have to. the lever that controls the brake is mounted to the side
of the trans shift lever box and has 5 wires running to it. anyone that
has worked on this type unit and can help please chime in. thanks to
all that share their knowledge with others.

ed and peggy mcstay
83fc rb 35ft.
"lonesome dove"
lake charles, louisiana

[jim matus]

Ed I had my retarder quit also and spent a lot of time on it. Check
for 12v on your hand control with the dash switch on and the lever in
position 1,in postion 2 you should have power at terminal 1 & 2,in
position 3 power on 1,2 & 3. You should hear your brake light relay
click when ever you move from off to position 1. Power at terminals
but no click? your problem is under the bus. On mine the relay
box/retarder ground was bad(Bluebird used a star washer between frame
and cable-rusty)Remove heavy battery leads from blade fuse above
relay box(disconnect coach batteries first) Mine were black from
oxidation and only had a 1/32 of clean surface to carry 100+amps-
won't work. I removed my relay box(mark all of the wires first) and
on the bench removed & cleaned all of the dog bone shaped connector
strips on the relays(strips on relay 1 & 2 had seen a lot of heat and
one fell apart so I made a new one out of two non- insulated ring
terminals and a piece of 14 gauge ground wire)Clean the points on the
relays lightly with a point file check both side and top gaps as per
Retarder service manual in Files. Remove and clean any terminal nuts
you can Then spray all down with a good quality electronics cleaner.
Reinstall & clean the wire terminals on the wires you unhooked.
Tighten all connections including the ones on the retarder. power up
and you should now have the brake light relay clicking and the
retarder retarding. After I did all of this mine now works like new
and it is even effective in normal driving(slowing up for stop signs
etc.) Jim Matus FC35SB Rescue CA --
- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Peggy & Ed McStay"
wrote:
>
> a few weeks ago my retarder brake stopped working and now its time
to
> look for the problem. i have looked at the prints and info in the
files
> and it tells me to check the 6amp fuse in line to the switch. can
> anyone tell me how to fine this fuse or do you know where it might
be.
> it is a pain in the b---, but i hope that is the problem. i have
> checked the 12volt power to the retarder itsself and i have the
> required power. i have not opened the contact box yet and hope that
i
> dont have to. the lever that controls the brake is mounted to the
side
> of the trans shift lever box and has 5 wires running to it. anyone
that
> has worked on this type unit and can help please chime in. thanks
to
> all that share their knowledge with others.
>
> ed and peggy mcstay
> 83fc rb 35ft.
> "lonesome dove"
> lake charles, louisiana
>