Electric Retarder

[Stephen H]

HELP! Tonight I got my Retarder to show signs of working for the first
time. Every time in the past I have tried it, it never came on. Well, I
was messing around tonight at the dash with switches and The red
indicator light came on the dash, and the relays were clicking under
the bus in every position of the lever!! (I know, not too exciting for
most, but it has never worked before!!)I could hear a
diffrent sound with 1,2,3 and 4. The red light got a bit dimmer with
the next power, indicating to me that it was sending more, and more
power to the unit..?? All of a sudden, the light went off, and the
clicking quit. What in the world! I didnt even move in my chair, much
less mess with any connections. I could not get it to come back on
again. What would be a good thing to check first? Is there something to
cut power to this? I reset my breakers, and tried everything to get it
to come back.. I want my Retarder back!!! I had the engine/ignition
off, and nothing else on.
Stephen H
81 FC-33SB
Plant CIty, FL

[Stephen H]

HELP! Tonight I got my Retarder to show signs of working for the first
time. Every time in the past I have tried it, it never came on. Well, I
was messing around tonight at the dash with switches and The red
indicator light came on the dash, and the relays were clicking under
the bus in every position of the lever!! (I know, not too exciting for
most, but it has never worked before!!)I could hear a
diffrent sound with 1,2,3 and 4. The red light got a bit dimmer with
the next power, indicating to me that it was sending more, and more
power to the unit..?? All of a sudden, the light went off, and the
clicking quit. What in the world! I didnt even move in my chair, much
less mess with any connections. I could not get it to come back on
again. What would be a good thing to check first? Is there something to
cut power to this? I reset my breakers, and tried everything to get it
to come back.. I want my Retarder back!!! I had the engine/ignition
off, and nothing else on.
Stephen H
81 FC-33SB
Plant CIty, FL

[Ralph L. Fullenwider]

Steve:

I don't have the prints in front of me, I would start by checking the input
power for a faulty or corroded connection. Then find the circuit breaker
the control power is connected to, you may have weak breaker. Just a couple
of thoughts.

Safe travels,

Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
Ralph's RV Solutions, Duncan, Oklahoma

At 03:55 AM 10/7/2006 +0000, you wrote:
>HELP! Tonight I got my Retarder to show signs of working for the first
>time. Every time in the past I have tried it, it never came on. Well, I
>was messing around tonight at the dash with switches and The red
>indicator light came on the dash, and the relays were clicking under
>the bus in every position of the lever!! (I know, not too exciting for
>most, but it has never worked before!!)I could hear a
>diffrent sound with 1,2,3 and 4. The red light got a bit dimmer with
>the next power, indicating to me that it was sending more, and more
>power to the unit..?? All of a sudden, the light went off, and the
>clicking quit. What in the world! I didnt even move in my chair, much
>less mess with any connections. I could not get it to come back on
>again. What would be a good thing to check first? Is there something to
>cut power to this? I reset my breakers, and tried everything to get it
>to come back.. I want my Retarder back!!! I had the engine/ignition
>off, and nothing else on.
>Stephen H
>81 FC-33SB
>Plant CIty, FL
>
>
>

[Jeff Miller]

Difficult to say how the retarder is wired on an '81 as they weren't
equipped until '83, might not be a bluprint at all. It might be best
to simply re-wire the retarder control supply circuit through a new
ignition-controlled relay and breaker. Faster to do it right than to
figure out how it was done wrong.

- Jeff Miller
in Holland, MI


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ralph L. Fullenwider"
wrote:
>
> Steve:
>
> I don't have the prints in front of me, I would start by checking
the input
> power for a faulty or corroded connection. Then find the circuit
breaker
> the control power is connected to, you may have weak breaker. Just
a couple
> of thoughts.
>
> Safe travels,
>
> Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
> Ralph's RV Solutions, Duncan, Oklahoma
>
> At 03:55 AM 10/7/2006 +0000, you wrote:
> >HELP! Tonight I got my Retarder to show signs of working for the
first
> >time. Every time in the past I have tried it, it never came on.
Well, I
> >was messing around tonight at the dash with switches and The red
> >indicator light came on the dash, and the relays were clicking
under
> >the bus in every position of the lever!! (I know, not too exciting
for
> >most, but it has never worked before!!)I could hear a
> >diffrent sound with 1,2,3 and 4. The red light got a bit dimmer
with
> >the next power, indicating to me that it was sending more, and more
> >power to the unit..?? All of a sudden, the light went off, and the
> >clicking quit. What in the world! I didnt even move in my chair,
much
> >less mess with any connections. I could not get it to come back on
> >again. What would be a good thing to check first? Is there
something to
> >cut power to this? I reset my breakers, and tried everything to
get it
> >to come back.. I want my Retarder back!!! I had the engine/ignition
> >off, and nothing else on.
> >Stephen H
> >81 FC-33SB
> >Plant CIty, FL
> >
> >
> >
>

[Stephen H]

Jeff,

Yes, This unit was added on at a shop in Atlanta in 5/20/83 by "Diesel
Systems Company" for $5,500.00. I have the orig. receipt on install.



Seems the unit is not hooked to ign key, because when I got it to work, the
key was out, and nothing on. I will pull the dash plate off, and follow the
wires, and see where they lead. Thank you for the help on this everyone!!!



Stephen H

81 FC-33SB

Plant City, FL



_____

From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Jeff Miller
Sent: Saturday, October 07, 2006 12:21 PM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Electric Retarder



Difficult to say how the retarder is wired on an '81 as they weren't
equipped until '83, might not be a bluprint at all. It might be best
to simply re-wire the retarder control supply circuit through a new
ignition-controlled relay and breaker. Faster to do it right than to
figure out how it was done wrong.

- Jeff Miller
in Holland, MI

--- In WanderlodgeForum@
yahoogroups.com, "Ralph L. Fullenwider"
wrote:
>
> Steve:
>
> I don't have the prints in front of me, I would start by checking
the input
> power for a faulty or corroded connection. Then find the circuit
breaker
> the control power is connected to, you may have weak breaker. Just
a couple
> of thoughts.
>
> Safe travels,
>
> Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
> Ralph's RV Solutions, Duncan, Oklahoma
>
>,_._,___



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[davidkerryedwards]

Mine was also an aftermarket install. On mine the junction for wires, or what I
might call
the 'control box' (?) is in the right front storage compartment. Do you have an
on/off
switch on your joystick?
By the way, does anyone know a source for the joystick plastic cover? Mine was
missing
when I purchased the Bird and I haven't found a source for a replacement.

Kerry
82 Fc 35
Denver

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Stephen H" <share@...> wrote:
>
> Jeff,
>
> Yes, This unit was added on at a shop in Atlanta in 5/20/83 by "Diesel
> Systems Company" for $5,500.00. I have the orig. receipt on install.
>
>
>
> Seems the unit is not hooked to ign key, because when I got it to work, the
> key was out, and nothing on. I will pull the dash plate off, and follow the
> wires, and see where they lead. Thank you for the help on this everyone!!!
>
>
>
> Stephen H
>
> 81 FC-33SB
>
> Plant City, FL
>
>
>
> _____
>
> From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Jeff Miller
> Sent: Saturday, October 07, 2006 12:21 PM
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Electric Retarder
>
>
>
> Difficult to say how the retarder is wired on an '81 as they weren't
> equipped until '83, might not be a bluprint at all. It might be best
> to simply re-wire the retarder control supply circuit through a new
> ignition-controlled relay and breaker. Faster to do it right than to
> figure out how it was done wrong.
>
> - Jeff Miller
> in Holland, MI
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@
> yahoogroups.com, "Ralph L. Fullenwider"
> wrote:
> >
> > Steve:
> >
> > I don't have the prints in front of me, I would start by checking
> the input
> > power for a faulty or corroded connection. Then find the circuit
> breaker
> > the control power is connected to, you may have weak breaker. Just
> a couple
> > of thoughts.
> >
> > Safe travels,
> >
> > Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
> > Ralph's RV Solutions, Duncan, Oklahoma
> >
> >,_._,___
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[erniecarpet@...]

Stephen, when I had my FC, I would notice on my voltmeter, that the retarder
consumed a lot of voltage- does your voltmeter take a nose dive?

Ernie Ekberg
83 PT40
Livingston, Montana



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Stephen H]

Hi everyone-

Just an update about the electric retarder-It was the main 10A fuse from the
electric panel above the coach batteries- Corrosion was the culprit. I got
some sand paper and cleaned the fuse, and the contacts- now even my
spotlight works like new, in all directions!!! Thank you all for your help!!




P.S.- The electric retarder REALLY WORKS great! It will bring me to a stop
very nicely! Really will save wear and tear on the service brakes!



Stephen H.

81 FC-33SB

Plant City, FL







_____

From: Stephen H [mailto:share@...]
Sent: Saturday, October 07, 2006 11:09 PM
To: 'WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com'
Subject: RE: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Electric Retarder



Jeff,

Yes, This unit was added on at a shop in Atlanta in 5/20/83 by "Diesel
Systems Company" for $5,500.00. I have the orig. receipt on install.



Seems the unit is not hooked to ign key, because when I got it to work, the
key was out, and nothing on. I will pull the dash plate off, and follow the
wires, and see where they lead. Thank you for the help on this everyone!!!



Stephen H

81 FC-33SB

Plant City, FL



_____

From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Jeff Miller
Sent: Saturday, October 07, 2006 12:21 PM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Electric Retarder



Difficult to say how the retarder is wired on an '81 as they weren't
equipped until '83, might not be a bluprint at all. It might be best
to simply re-wire the retarder control supply circuit through a new
ignition-controlled relay and breaker. Faster to do it right than to
figure out how it was done wrong.

- Jeff Miller
in Holland, MI

--- In WanderlodgeForum@
yahoogroups.com, "Ralph L. Fullenwider"
wrote:
>
> Steve:
>
> I don't have the prints in front of me, I would start by checking
the input
> power for a faulty or corroded connection. Then find the circuit
breaker
> the control power is connected to, you may have weak breaker. Just
a couple
> of thoughts.
>
> Safe travels,
>
> Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
> Ralph's RV Solutions, Duncan, Oklahoma
>
>,_._,___



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Stephen H]

Ernie,

Not too much.. When I have it on Hi (4 I think) to come to a stop, it will
start to go down a little. I'm sure on a mountain or extended time it would.

I could not believe the stopping power it has. It's like putting on the
brakes.



Stephen H

81 FC-33SB

Plant City, FL



_____

From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of erniecarpet@...
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2006 8:25 PM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: FW: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Electric Retarder



Stephen, when I had my FC, I would notice on my voltmeter, that the retarder

consumed a lot of voltage- does your voltmeter take a nose dive?

Ernie Ekberg
83 PT40
Livingston, Montana

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Wilhelmus Schreurs]

The electric retarder consumes a lot of current, which drives the voltage down.
In the manual it states that for long downgrades you can use 1 or 2, and only
use 3 and 4 for very short periods.
The current draw is about 50 amps for 1, 120 amps for 2, 250 amps for 3 and 320
amps for 4.
The amps could be a little bit different but close, so when you are using the
retarder, make sure your engine speed is up at 2000 or so, so your alternator is
putting out maximum charge.



Bill 84 FC 35 SB "$quanderlodge"
Terrace, B.C. Canada


----- Original Message ----
From: Stephen H <share@...>
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2006 6:09:42 PM
Subject: RE: FW: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Electric Retarder













Ernie,



Not too much.. When I have it on Hi (4 I think) to come to a stop, it will

start to go down a little. I'm sure on a mountain or extended time it would.



I could not believe the stopping power it has. It's like putting on the

brakes.



Stephen H



81 FC-33SB



Plant City, FL



_____



From: WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com

[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of erniecarpet@ aol.com

Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2006 8:25 PM

To: WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com

Subject: Re: FW: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Electric Retarder



Stephen, when I had my FC, I would notice on my voltmeter, that the retarder



consumed a lot of voltage- does your voltmeter take a nose dive?



Ernie Ekberg

83 PT40

Livingston, Montana



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]














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