Re: [A/S] Exhaust Brakes can be Hazardous to Your Health!

[Matt Worner <wornmatt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

A "Jake" brake and an exhaust brake are two different animals.  The big 
rigs use an engine ("Jake" after Jacobs one of the manufacturers of 
same, I presume) brake that actually retimes the exhaust
valving, in effect making the engine into an eight (or whatever) 
cylinder air compressor.  That's why the loud popping sound, when the 
pressure is suddenly released by the exhaust valves opening into
the exhaust piping system.  Sort of like popping a bunch of steel 
balloons.  THOSE are the ones (justifiably) banned from use in 
residential areas.  The exhaust retarders are silent.  Well as silent
as any diesel can be, anyway.

The rationale for exhaust braking is that there is no carburetor to 
create an inlet vacuum, so a diesel will NOT develop the same retarding 
action as a gasser.

As for jack knifing, any system will be unstable in foul weather if 
braking is foolishly applied.  The manufacturer can make things fool 
proof, but along comes a DAMN FOOL and ...

Matt