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Old 02-15-2020, 11:44 AM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
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3116 Telma Retarder Install

i picked up a Telma AC51 retarder unit to install in the C5500 CAT 3116/AT545 (hope to be MT643 soon) chassis bus I have. With the hydraulic brakes and the model year of the 3116 that does not have the valve springs which can hold up to an exhaust brake I needed more on hills.

The unit I bought is a AC51 which has the spicer yokes and this one came out of a 2005 C6500 DOD surplus truck. On the max setting it is rated for 900 ft/lbs of brake force which should be enough to slow down when I am hauling a big trailer on the hills.

I have the documents from Telma as they were nice enough to send them over but what I am missing is 1st hand experience from a DIY on installing one. Is there anything to really look out for? I have a great driveline shop in Portland who can get the rear shaft shortened up.

Thanks

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Old 03-17-2020, 01:00 PM   #2
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With the MT643 trans swap almost completed I will get going on this install since no one appears to have done one.

The unit I have came out of the newer chassis C5500/C6500 bit it looks like most of the drivetrain basics are the same.

Telma was awesome and gave me the installation sheet for the unit which I have dropped in my shareable google drive for anyone to download.

I was supposed to head to the races but with everything being cancelled I will have time to get this installed in the next few weeks.
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Old 03-17-2020, 06:00 PM   #3
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A Telma is on my wish list for my bus, so will be interested your installation.
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Old 03-19-2020, 01:38 AM   #4
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Are you going to post your retarder install here, or in your transmission swap thread?
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Old 03-19-2020, 04:07 PM   #5
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I will be posting it in this thread.
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Old 03-26-2020, 05:37 PM   #6
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Here is the Telma unit and all of the parts I recieved. Based on what I have and the manuals it is everything.

The fun part will be what to do with the ABS connections as my GMC is a 1991 model which has all of none of the ABS.





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Old 04-12-2020, 10:46 PM   #7
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I thought Telma's needed an external resistor. Looking at the video I see they do the braking conversion to heat in the unit's rotor. That's cool (or hot -- muy calor!)
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Old 06-18-2020, 01:47 PM   #8
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I hit a bit of a snag with the pre-installation work. The model of truck I got the Telma from had ABS and the installation truck a 1991 which does not. I am waiting for an email back from Telma on what I do with the extra wiring.
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Old 08-31-2020, 10:53 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DtotheAmbrose View Post
i picked up a Telma AC51 retarder unit to install in the C5500 CAT 3116/AT545 (hope to be MT643 soon) chassis bus I have. With the hydraulic brakes and the model year of the 3116 that does not have the valve springs which can hold up to an exhaust brake I needed more on hills.

The unit I bought is a AC51 which has the spicer yokes and this one came out of a 2005 C6500 DOD surplus truck. On the max setting it is rated for 900 ft/lbs of brake force which should be enough to slow down when I am hauling a big trailer on the hills.

I have the documents from Telma as they were nice enough to send them over but what I am missing is 1st hand experience from a DIY on installing one. Is there anything to really look out for? I have a great driveline shop in Portland who can get the rear shaft shortened up.

Thanks
You are wicked brave to take this on, my friend! I agree with the benefits of a Telma and am lucky one came with my rig.

If it will help you, I can take pictures of the setup underneath my bus. Really, really intimidating, big, massive components of unknown purpose. Wires, big wires, running all around.

I'd like to hijack this thread just a bit. I got the bus this spring and still have not used the retarder-don't actually know how. I have all the online manuals but there doesn't seem to be much to using it-just a switch for it on the dash, I think a high-low with four LED lights.

I'm guessing they light up depending on how hard you hit the brakes on a downhill?
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Old 10-14-2020, 07:53 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by Rucker View Post
You are wicked brave to take this on, my friend! I agree with the benefits of a Telma and am lucky one came with my rig.

If it will help you, I can take pictures of the setup underneath my bus. Really, really intimidating, big, massive components of unknown purpose. Wires, big wires, running all around.

I'd like to hijack this thread just a bit. I got the bus this spring and still have not used the retarder-don't actually know how. I have all the online manuals but there doesn't seem to be much to using it-just a switch for it on the dash, I think a high-low with four LED lights.

I'm guessing they light up depending on how hard you hit the brakes on a downhill?
Pictures would be cool if you have time.

The 4 lights are the level of brake force being applied to the driveline. I want to say the maximum is something 920ft/lbs. It it based on the brake pedal position if I remember the manual correctly.
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Old 08-29-2023, 12:32 PM   #11
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Would pictures still be of value? I realize I missed replying to your post.
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Old 08-29-2023, 07:31 PM   #12
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Engine: 3116 9YN, CAT, 250HP
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All good now
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