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I was searching for info on rebuilding the airpack and came across this thread.
And that got the gears turning... I've been wanting to add a brake line lock to my deuce for winching operations, as the parking brake just doesn't cut it for that.
It seems the majority of the ones on the market now are called 'launch control valves' and use electric solenoid valves. They say they are only for momentary use because the electric solenoids will burn up. I did find a few old-school mechanical ones, which is what I'd go with. But some of the info for both kinds said not for use with silicone brake fluid, which I found odd.
Anyway, the above thread got me thinking... What if a simple 3 port-2 postion air valve was plumbed into the J-pipe on the airpack?
The common port goes to the large air chamber.
Port 'A' goes to the front of the airpack.
Port 'B' goes to the air tanks.
When the valve is in position 'A', the front of the airpack is plumbed to the air chamber, port 'B' is blocked, and everything functions normally.
When the valve is in position 'B', system air is plumbed to the air chamber on the airpack and port 'A' is blocked. The brakes are now applied.
This valve could be located under the drivers seat close to the airpack so the air lines are short. That would eliminate two connections and an extra device on the hydraulic side that would result in total loss of brakes if they failed. Failure of this air valve or the lines to it would only result in loss of brake boosting, not total brake failure. It would also be easier to install as air line is easier to work with than the brake lines, and the brake system won't have to be bled afterwards.
Another benefit would be to use a 3 position valve instead of the 2 position, then plumb port 'C' to a gladhand on the front of the truck. If the truck needs to be towed, simply put the valve in position 'C' and the towing truck controls the brakes on the towed truck like with the mod in the above link.
The biggest downside I see to this is possible damage or premature wear to the airpack from applying full system pressure to it for longer than normal during winching operations or what have you. But that could possibly be eliminated by regulating the applied air down to the minimum pressure needed to hold the truck stationary.
For those of you with more knowledge about this system than I have, did I miss something obvious, or could this work?
Airpack modification for towing
It's pretty simple to hook the brakes together on two deuces for towing. Take the J-pipe off the airpack on the towed deuce, insert male air nipple, then hook the service line on the back of the towing deuce to the airpack. But, that darn J-pipe is a real pain to put back on sometimes. Flared...
www.steelsoldiers.com
And that got the gears turning... I've been wanting to add a brake line lock to my deuce for winching operations, as the parking brake just doesn't cut it for that.
It seems the majority of the ones on the market now are called 'launch control valves' and use electric solenoid valves. They say they are only for momentary use because the electric solenoids will burn up. I did find a few old-school mechanical ones, which is what I'd go with. But some of the info for both kinds said not for use with silicone brake fluid, which I found odd.
Anyway, the above thread got me thinking... What if a simple 3 port-2 postion air valve was plumbed into the J-pipe on the airpack?
The common port goes to the large air chamber.
Port 'A' goes to the front of the airpack.
Port 'B' goes to the air tanks.
When the valve is in position 'A', the front of the airpack is plumbed to the air chamber, port 'B' is blocked, and everything functions normally.
When the valve is in position 'B', system air is plumbed to the air chamber on the airpack and port 'A' is blocked. The brakes are now applied.
This valve could be located under the drivers seat close to the airpack so the air lines are short. That would eliminate two connections and an extra device on the hydraulic side that would result in total loss of brakes if they failed. Failure of this air valve or the lines to it would only result in loss of brake boosting, not total brake failure. It would also be easier to install as air line is easier to work with than the brake lines, and the brake system won't have to be bled afterwards.
Another benefit would be to use a 3 position valve instead of the 2 position, then plumb port 'C' to a gladhand on the front of the truck. If the truck needs to be towed, simply put the valve in position 'C' and the towing truck controls the brakes on the towed truck like with the mod in the above link.
The biggest downside I see to this is possible damage or premature wear to the airpack from applying full system pressure to it for longer than normal during winching operations or what have you. But that could possibly be eliminated by regulating the applied air down to the minimum pressure needed to hold the truck stationary.
For those of you with more knowledge about this system than I have, did I miss something obvious, or could this work?
