Talk:Jake brake

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[edit] Why so much noise?

Q: why do these things cause so much noise?

A: The compressed gas in the cylinder at the top of the compression stroke is released abruptly and explosively. Why does this cause more noise than the release of exhaust gases on the exhaust stroke in normal engine operation? It is because, in the latter case, the gas is not compressed but rather simply pushed out of the exhaust port by the motion of the piston. There is no abrupt, explosive release.

There is an explosive release, in that the combusted mixture creates pressure, but it only happens once every 2 crank turns (multiplied by no. of cylinders), not every crank turn (x cylinders), and its at a higher pressure during jake (engine) braking, 7legs 090206 First and Foremost, jakes are an essential tool in stopping and slowing a rolling semi (often 75,000 lbs) Second a jake brake should only be used on a DECLINE,, used in an incline it hinders shifting into another gear, and can lead to a drive being able have powered control of his vehicle, while he attempts to put it back into gear... Often a novice will forget to switch the jake off for and incline and will stall out.. necessitating them to creep up a hill in only 3rd or 4th gear.. Myself as a current active driver appreciate the added help, slowing my rig down when a four wheeler cuts me off then slows down to talk on their cell phone.. Unassisted a semi can take about as long to slow down as they take to get to up to speed.. aDo drivers like the sound probably. But is there a valid reason to use jakes, without question, YES..--72.12.1.66 (talk) 22:11, 4 March 2008 (UTC)Caveman.otr==Comment/Any relationship to incline?==

Comment on the article: This is the best explanation of the Jake Brake I have seen and has cleared up for me a mystery of 30 years standing.

Question: is there a relationship between the grade of the highway and the weight of the truck which necessitates the use of Jake Brakes? Is it necessary for a loaded 18 wheeler to use Jake Brakes on a 6% grade? How about a 3% grade. Is there an economic reason - use of Jake Brakes increases longevity of brake linings? Somehow I get the impression that Jake Brakes are equivalent to non-mufflered autos - the driver likes the sound. Gary A. McDaniel galrflag@msn.com

I have to laugh - I think you've hit it right on the head! lol. Crabapplecove 13:42, 31 August 2006 (UTC)
Man, I used to love driving rigs with Jake brakes. Drove a cabover Freightliner once that had no mufflers. Just straight stacks. The Jake was loud enough to cause an avalanche. Haven't driven in years, but I still have my CDL. Fun stuff. - Lucky 6.9 07:11, 4 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Recommendation to rewrite the article

I recommend that this article is rewritten/changed/replaced by an article about engine compression brakes as it is Jake centric and doesn't really reflect well on actual technology in use today e.g. other manufacturers examples (Mack's Dynatard anyone?) also it sources an exhaust brake equipment manufacturer, where clear distinction between these two systems must be made to inform the readers. I think its OK to have an article about Jake as generic term but more useful article about the subject(compression engine brake) is essential. Stonufka (talk) 12:16, 28 February 2008 (UTC)

Some "internationalization" wouldn't hurt either, for exampl I have never heard of "Jacobs brakes" or whatever it is called. I suppose it is a US company? There should be such information available in the artcle. What about other companies? And other countries? :arny (talk) 08:28, 5 June 2008 (UTC)