Strange Lever

[Rose Mary]

On our coach the electric retarder is on the left side of the
steering wheel and has an on off switch above the suspension dump
switch. It has a red button light which shows when the retarder is
engaged. I can't imagine not having the retarder to help slow the
coach on descents. Ours has multiple positions,and it's not something
to be left on, rather use frequently to slow down. I rarely use the
coach brakes and have had no problem with the unit overheating.
Position depends on how fast you need to slow (ha!) I use it all the
time, it is a spendy unit and needs special lubrication grease.
I have the manuel if anyone needs more information. Ours is a Jacobs
Electric Retarder and it is my understanding that unlike a Jake
brake, it does not use the transmission or driveline to slow the
vehicle.
Rose Mary
82 FC 33 "White Bird"
Oregon

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman" <sforman@...>
wrote:
>
> I have a small box attached to the side of my shifter as well...but
I
> have assumed it is a traler brake modulator (never had a trailer
> hooked to my coach). Has a knob that can be pulled back. Is it
> possible that I have a retarder and didn't even know it?
>
> Scott Forman
> 82 FC35RB
> Memphis
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Eric Johnson"
> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Scott,
> > Stephen is right, it's the retarder lever. A great feature if
> you're doing any mountain
> > driving. I used it a lot during our Colorado trip. Saves the
> brakes. Degree of braking
> > performance increases going from notch 1 to 3. You want to use
it
> in moderation however
> > so you don't overheat the unit. It runs on DC and sucks quite a
> lot of juice.
> >
> > I usually use setting 1 or 2 for maybe 10 to 15 seconds at a
time,
> alternating with the air
> > brakes to slow the coach down. Setting 3, I save for more rapid
> breaking. You should
> > also have a yellow dash light that shows when the unit is on.
> >
> > Regards, Eric
> > 84FC35SBWL2
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott"
> wrote:
> > >
> > > I have a Strange Lever mounted to the side of the shifter box.
> The
> > > lever goes into a small black box with numbers on the side. As
> the
> > > lever is pulled down, the numbers increase and the lever is
> internally
> > > notched to stop on each of the numbers. Any clue?
> > >
> > > Scott Waldy
> > > '83FC35SB
> > > Boise, Idaho
> > >
> >
>

[Jeff Miller]

It is a Jacobs EL retarder, standard FC equipment '83-'86 (except WLII).

On the '83 there is no on/off switch, except for the lever. In
positions 1-4 it should illuminate a "retarder" amber light on the
center (radio enclosure) console and the brake lights (good way to test
dinghy brake lights).

'84 there was an on/off switch added, but the amber light was
eliminated.

Trying to remember the manual, positions 1 and 2 can be used on long
grades continuously, I'm not sure on position 3, and position 4 is for
shorter cycles for decelerating. The owner's manual tells the on/off
times for the higher positions.

The brakes should never be used to control speed on a grade, only the
reaterder. If you need brakes you are going too fast, read the air-
brake mountain driving section of a CDL handbook.

There is no connection between the '83-'86 Jacobs EL retarder and the
brake or throttle in the FC. I always wanted to modify one to have
those modes, bought a newer 'Bird which had them so I lost interest.
Anyway, if you leave your retarder on, especially in positions 3 or 4,
you'll soon find out that you can't reach highway speeds on level
ground. Been there, done that.

- Jeff Miller
in Holland, MI


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott" wrote:
>
> I have a Strange Lever mounted to the side of the shifter box. The
> lever goes into a small black box with numbers on the side. As the
> lever is pulled down, the numbers increase and the lever is
internally
> notched to stop on each of the numbers. Any clue?
>
> Scott Waldy
> '83FC35SB
> Boise, Idaho
>

[Eric Johnson]

Regarding my remarks on overheating the retarder, I remember reading somewhere
that
extended use could cause damage from overheating and have heard same from a
mechanic but don't have any absolute numbers so I just use it with some
moderation as I
described. If anyone has more specific info it would be good to get it.

Interesting to learn that only some of us are retarded!!!

Eric in San Antonio
84FC35SBWL2

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott" wrote:
>
> I have a Strange Lever mounted to the side of the shifter box. The
> lever goes into a small black box with numbers on the side. As the
> lever is pulled down, the numbers increase and the lever is internally
> notched to stop on each of the numbers. Any clue?
>
> Scott Waldy
> '83FC35SB
> Boise, Idaho
>

[Wilhelmus Schreurs]

Reading on the Thelma retarder site, it is designed so the heat will disipate
even with extended or prolonged usage.
I believe we have the Jacob's brake system, not the Thelma, but they work on
the same principle, sure look identical as well.
Maintenance is very simple too, blow it out or wash it with a pressure washer,
grease lightly, check contacts and connections, especially the ground
connections.
Thelma only has a UK site.
One thing I will be looking into the future is, getting rid of the contactors
and going electronically, that will also give me infinite control instead of
just 3 steps.

Bill
84FC35SB

Eric Johnson wrote:
Regarding my remarks on overheating the retarder, I remember reading
somewhere that
extended use could cause damage from overheating and have heard same from a
mechanic but don't have any absolute numbers so I just use it with some
moderation as I
described. If anyone has more specific info it would be good to get it.

Interesting to learn that only some of us are retarded!!!

Eric in San Antonio
84FC35SBWL2

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott" wrote:
>
> I have a Strange Lever mounted to the side of the shifter box. The
> lever goes into a small black box with numbers on the side. As the
> lever is pulled down, the numbers increase and the lever is internally
> notched to stop on each of the numbers. Any clue?
>
> Scott Waldy
> '83FC35SB
> Boise, Idaho
>






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[Wilhelmus Schreurs]

Awesome info. Thanks Jeff

Bill
84FC35SB
Terrace, B.C.

Jeff Miller wrote:
It is a Jacobs EL retarder, standard FC equipment '83-'86 (except
WLII).

On the '83 there is no on/off switch, except for the lever. In
positions 1-4 it should illuminate a "retarder" amber light on the
center (radio enclosure) console and the brake lights (good way to test
dinghy brake lights).

'84 there was an on/off switch added, but the amber light was
eliminated.

Trying to remember the manual, positions 1 and 2 can be used on long
grades continuously, I'm not sure on position 3, and position 4 is for
shorter cycles for decelerating. The owner's manual tells the on/off
times for the higher positions.

The brakes should never be used to control speed on a grade, only the
reaterder. If you need brakes you are going too fast, read the air-
brake mountain driving section of a CDL handbook.

There is no connection between the '83-'86 Jacobs EL retarder and the
brake or throttle in the FC. I always wanted to modify one to have
those modes, bought a newer 'Bird which had them so I lost interest.
Anyway, if you leave your retarder on, especially in positions 3 or 4,
you'll soon find out that you can't reach highway speeds on level
ground. Been there, done that.

- Jeff Miller
in Holland, MI

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott" wrote:
>
> I have a Strange Lever mounted to the side of the shifter box. The
> lever goes into a small black box with numbers on the side. As the
> lever is pulled down, the numbers increase and the lever is
internally
> notched to stop on each of the numbers. Any clue?
>
> Scott Waldy
> '83FC35SB
> Boise, Idaho
>






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[davidkerryedwards]

I've got a Thelma on my 82 FC (it was retrofitted around 84). The
manual explicitly states that it will overheat if not used correctly.
I don't have the manual handy, but I believe positions 1 and 2 should
be utilized on long grades and 3 or 4 only used for short periods on
short steep grades. Before I read my manual, I seriously heated mine
up going down the 10% grade in Palo Duro Canyon in the 4th position.
You'll know it if it heats up beause it stinks. Mine has a switch
which connects it to the brake pedal, automatically applying the
retarder. It is a very useful device.

Kerry
82 FC 35
Denver-

-- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Wilhelmus Schreurs
wrote:
>
> Reading on the Thelma retarder site, it is designed so the heat will
disipate even with extended or prolonged usage.
> I believe we have the Jacob's brake system, not the Thelma, but
they work on the same principle, sure look identical as well.
> Maintenance is very simple too, blow it out or wash it with a
pressure washer, grease lightly, check contacts and connections,
especially the ground connections.
> Thelma only has a UK site.
> One thing I will be looking into the future is, getting rid of the
contactors and going electronically, that will also give me infinite
control instead of just 3 steps.
>
> Bill
> 84FC35SB
>
> Eric Johnson wrote:
> Regarding my remarks on overheating the retarder, I
remember reading somewhere that
> extended use could cause damage from overheating and have heard same
from a
> mechanic but don't have any absolute numbers so I just use it with
some moderation as I
> described. If anyone has more specific info it would be good to get it.
>
> Interesting to learn that only some of us are retarded!!!
>
> Eric in San Antonio
> 84FC35SBWL2
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott" wrote:
> >
> > I have a Strange Lever mounted to the side of the shifter box. The
> > lever goes into a small black box with numbers on the side. As the
> > lever is pulled down, the numbers increase and the lever is
internally
> > notched to stop on each of the numbers. Any clue?
> >
> > Scott Waldy
> > '83FC35SB
> > Boise, Idaho
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
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> All new Yahoo! Mail
> ---------------------------------
> Get news delivered. Enjoy RSS feeds right on your Mail page.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[Scott]

Lots of great posts on the Jacobs Driveline retarder. (that is what is
on our coach 86FC) BUT no one mentioned the need to grease the bearings
inside. When we got ours you could not even tell it had a grease
fitting. Find it on the side of the retarder. Use a GOOD HIGH TEMP
GREASE. I grease mine pretty frequently.

I did the dummy thing last year on the way to RIV and left it one by
mistake when entering the highway, thought I was draging an anchor,
(actually felt like a fuel filter cloggin up) It got hot and smelled,
when shot with a temp gun it was just over 300* got back underway in a
hurry and got air to it. No harm works fine. I use it in stop and go
traffic, to limit the use of the service brakes. Works great for me.

ScottB
86FC 4sale
SC

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott" wrote:
>
> I have a Strange Lever mounted to the side of the shifter box. The
> lever goes into a small black box with numbers on the side. As the
> lever is pulled down, the numbers increase and the lever is
internally
> notched to stop on each of the numbers. Any clue?
>
> Scott Waldy
> '83FC35SB
> Boise, Idaho
>

[Scott]

So this thing is like a driveline breaking system?

Scott Waldy
'83FC35SB
Boise, Idaho

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott"
wrote:
>
> Lots of great posts on the Jacobs Driveline retarder. (that is what
is
> on our coach 86FC) BUT no one mentioned the need to grease the
bearings
> inside. When we got ours you could not even tell it had a grease
> fitting. Find it on the side of the retarder. Use a GOOD HIGH TEMP
> GREASE. I grease mine pretty frequently.
>
> I did the dummy thing last year on the way to RIV and left it one
by
> mistake when entering the highway, thought I was draging an anchor,
> (actually felt like a fuel filter cloggin up) It got hot and
smelled,
> when shot with a temp gun it was just over 300* got back underway
in a
> hurry and got air to it. No harm works fine. I use it in stop and
go
> traffic, to limit the use of the service brakes. Works great for me.
>
> ScottB
> 86FC 4sale
> SC
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott"
wrote:
> >
> > I have a Strange Lever mounted to the side of the shifter box.
The
> > lever goes into a small black box with numbers on the side. As
the
> > lever is pulled down, the numbers increase and the lever is
> internally
> > notched to stop on each of the numbers. Any clue?
> >
> > Scott Waldy
> > '83FC35SB
> > Boise, Idaho
> >
>

[Scott]

Yup, there is a BIG Round thingy that my driveline goes through. How
about the switch above my CB radio, labled "Jake Brake" and the big
yellow light next to it labled "Jacobs Retarder"? Any clues?

Scott Waldy
'83FC35SB
Boise, Idaho

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Wilhelmus Schreurs
wrote:
>
> well if you want, take a look under the coach, mid way of the drive
shaft you will see a big round thing, very big round thing which the
drive shaft goes through, sort of. If you got one of them, yup you
got an electric retarder.
>
> Bill
> 84FC35SB
> Terrace, B.C.
>
> Scott Forman <sforman@...> wrote:
> I have a small box attached to the side of my shifter as
well...but I
> have assumed it is a traler brake modulator (never had a trailer
> hooked to my coach). Has a knob that can be pulled back. Is it
> possible that I have a retarder and didn't even know it?
>
> Scott Forman
> 82 FC35RB
> Memphis
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Eric Johnson"
> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Scott,
> > Stephen is right, it's the retarder lever. A great feature if
> you're doing any mountain
> > driving. I used it a lot during our Colorado trip. Saves the
> brakes. Degree of braking
> > performance increases going from notch 1 to 3. You want to use it
> in moderation however
> > so you don't overheat the unit. It runs on DC and sucks quite a
> lot of juice.
> >
> > I usually use setting 1 or 2 for maybe 10 to 15 seconds at a
time,
> alternating with the air
> > brakes to slow the coach down. Setting 3, I save for more rapid
> breaking. You should
> > also have a yellow dash light that shows when the unit is on.
> >
> > Regards, Eric
> > 84FC35SBWL2
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott"
> wrote:
> > >
> > > I have a Strange Lever mounted to the side of the shifter box.
> The
> > > lever goes into a small black box with numbers on the side. As
> the
> > > lever is pulled down, the numbers increase and the lever is
> internally
> > > notched to stop on each of the numbers. Any clue?
> > >
> > > Scott Waldy
> > > '83FC35SB
> > > Boise, Idaho
> > >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> All new Yahoo! Mail
> ---------------------------------
> Get news delivered. Enjoy RSS feeds right on your Mail page.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[Mike Hohnstein]

That would be one way to characterize the down grade retarder. It functions
like electric trailer brakes, in a way.
The well marked grease zerk, if not covered with road grime is a critical
maintainence point. I'm greatful that my retarder works pretty well so far, my
chassis has roughly 170k miles.
Mike Hohnstein
Germantown WI, Myrtle ID
83FC35rb
----- Original Message -----
From: Scott
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, August 18, 2006 11:25 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Strange Lever


So this thing is like a driveline breaking system?

Scott Waldy
'83FC35SB
Boise, Idaho

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott"
wrote:
>
> Lots of great posts on the Jacobs Driveline retarder. (that is what
is
> on our coach 86FC) BUT no one mentioned the need to grease the
bearings
> inside. When we got ours you could not even tell it had a grease
> fitting. Find it on the side of the retarder. Use a GOOD HIGH TEMP
> GREASE. I grease mine pretty frequently.
>
> I did the dummy thing last year on the way to RIV and left it one
by
> mistake when entering the highway, thought I was draging an anchor,
> (actually felt like a fuel filter cloggin up) It got hot and
smelled,
> when shot with a temp gun it was just over 300* got back underway
in a
> hurry and got air to it. No harm works fine. I use it in stop and
go
> traffic, to limit the use of the service brakes. Works great for me.
>
> ScottB
> 86FC 4sale
> SC
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott"
wrote:
> >
> > I have a Strange Lever mounted to the side of the shifter box.
The
> > lever goes into a small black box with numbers on the side. As
the
> > lever is pulled down, the numbers increase and the lever is
> internally
> > notched to stop on each of the numbers. Any clue?
> >
> > Scott Waldy
> > '83FC35SB
> > Boise, Idaho
> >
>





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