Setting up exhaust brake

[hydroshok]

I'm looking for feedback from people that haul and have set up their brake using a gauge. I have a pacbrake 4" inline brake. I love it so far. Almost instant engagement with the compressor and no tank. I've searched all over and found 13-20psi at idle and 60psi max because of valve springs. I was thinking of setting it around 55psi not to damage anything, but that would put me well over 20psi at idle. Truck info is in my sig. Thanks!

[hydroshok]

I know someone set up an exhaust brake, or at least thought about messing with it right???

[randomid25]

I just put a pac prxb on my 06 about 2 months ago. Mine is the elbow replacement style. I haven't put a gauge on it to see where it is. IIRC, it was supposed to be preset from the factory.

Where in TN are you from? Just curious.

[hydroshok]

I'm in Nashville. I got a screaming deal on a 4" inline brake from a motorhome. It was set lower from the factory or PO because it would only go up to 38-40 on a steep hill and idle was 10-12. I set it at 18 idle and it'll slightly break 50 on a steep hill. I talked to Chris from Pacbrake. He was super helpful, but only mentioned under 60 on a steep grade.

[DieselMonster]

I had a Extarder brand, it worked real good concidering the Manifold was leaking like a pig , I want to set mine up on a ON/OFF switch and minus out the Micro switch for the throttle to be @ idle .

I am planning on putting it all back in, now that i have a better idea, and realization why it was there to begin with ..

[hydroshok]

the on/off switch is great, but don't bump it going fast up a steep hill. It really helps it warm up in the colder months too.

[DieselMonster]

Originally Posted by hydroshok

the on/off switch is great, but don't bump it going fast up a steep hill. It really helps it warm up in the colder months too.

Planning to put it on my Auto shifter... as a momentary button, possibly one somewhere else just in case that one fails , Dunno, will see

[Katoom]

Originally Posted by hydroshok

I'm looking for feedback from people that haul and have set up their brake using a gauge. I have a pacbrake 4" inline brake. I love it so far. Almost instant engagement with the compressor and no tank. I've searched all over and found 13-20psi at idle and 60psi max because of valve springs. I was thinking of setting it around 55psi not to damage anything, but that would put me well over 20psi at idle. Truck info is in my sig. Thanks!

I'm not understanding. What do you mean set up an exhaust brake using a gauge? If you're worried about over-pressuring the exhaust brake tank then I'd think that would be a question for whatever manufacture you're installing.

[hydroshok]

I just wanted to know what pressure people are setting them to with a back pressure gauge. Mine has an adjustment screw to set the back pressure. The on board air compressor is preset with no adjustment. I read no more than 20PSI at idle with 60PSI going down a steep grade with a load. However, with 20PSI at idle, I only see 55PSI down a steep grade with a load.

[Hector-BD]

The 60 PSI is to be set at MAX Governor speed (3200 RPMS) so if you are running say at 2500 RPM and your back-pressure is at 55 PSI this would be normal.

[hydroshok]

Originally Posted by Hector-BD

The 60 PSI is to be set at MAX Governor speed (3200 RPMS) so if you are running say at 2500 RPM and your back-pressure is at 55 PSI this would be normal.

Great, Thanks! I usually don't go above 2500 so that makes sense.

[DieselMonster]

More effective brakeing @ 2500 then @ 2000 ... Just the amount of air movement alone
( Big air compressor ) ..