Brake Controller...

dr deuce · Post by **dr deuce** » Fri Aug 12, 2005 5:21 pm

The biggest problem with the Wagner electric brakes from WW2 are two fold:

1. The brake springs rot off and I have found nothing even remotely close to them. The excellent brake place I use cannot get them either

2. The adjustment of them is a PITA! You need special tools/gauge and it has to be done with the drum off of the vehicle. The part mounted to the drum (not the armature) has to have a certain clearance to the armature via an adjustment via a gauge to the edge of the brake drum as I recall. They could have made it a lot easier if they had made the adjustment from the outside of the drum.

If I come down hard on the controller on the Bomb Trailer on a dirt road with nothing on it, one wheel will lock before the other. On paved roads, I can detect no pulling or other bad things.

Steve AKA Dr Deuce

joel gopan · Post by **joel gopan** » Fri Aug 12, 2005 5:37 pm

We don't have turnip trucks here in Maine, and I gotta tell ya, all it takes is a genuine interest in a hobby, and one will become a sponge learning its history. The other half of my hobby is WWII USAAF ETO History,,and I had the pleasure to work with WWII USAAF veterans who joined in the mid 30s and had a lot to tell about pre WWII USAF. I also had a lot of contact with Lew Chick (He was from Blanco or Plano Tex, raised horses and Pecans right up to his recent passing. His wife used to have a Martini waiting for him after a long days chores.) who was CO of 14th FG at Dow, in late 40s, and a WWII MTO Ace. He served with Col Chet Sluder, and Col Robert Baseler ( 325FG Checker Tails) It is nice being an old fart, as we got to meet our heroes.You can relate to that.
Joel

Nick Bombini · Post by **Nick Bombini** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 12:29 am

Bill, can you post a picture of the one you have? I found two in a surplus store today (although I haven't bought them yet) and one of them looks like the one on Jack's truck. The other looks like the one in this picture.

http://www.bluespringsranch.com/militar ... chevy2.jpg
The pic is large so I'm just linking it.

What I have found is only the drum with the handle, there are no other parts with them and they both look to be nos. What do these go for (just the drum and handle). I'll tell you guys what he's asking for them after I get a few reponses.

--Nick

dr deuce · Post by **dr deuce** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 5:50 am

That is all you need for the electric brakes. The Chev Bomb Truck had the addition of the rheostat (variable resistor like a volume control) mounted to the dash and wired in series with the hand controller.

Hot lead in, electric brakes out and two leads that go in parallel with the brake light switch to turn them on if you only use the controller.

If you are running 12v, connect the trailer brakes in series instead of parallel.

If you are running directional/stop lights, you might want to consider my tail light converter so that you can keep the original 4 pin WW2 trailer connector. It eliminates the running/parking light lead by reducing the voltage to the brake lights and uses them for the parking lights too. When the parking lights are on, voltage is lower. When stop or directionals are needed, voltage goes up.

http://www.cckw.org/trailer_wiring.htm

WARNING: That brake controller IS a knee killer! Learn to get in and out (more) carefully as two of the electrical studs sticking out are pointed in a BAD direction....

John V Cliche · Post by **John V Cliche** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 9:19 am

Hi Nick,
I too have interest in a brake controller , should 1 become avail.
Please let me know.
Thanks
John

Nick Bombini · Post by **Nick Bombini** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 10:08 am

The controllers are $25 each. Is this too much for just the controller or is this a good deal?

John, I sent you a pm.

--Nick

John V Cliche · Post by **John V Cliche** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 3:58 pm

Nick
I sent you a PM
$25.00 I think is a steal!!!!
A new modern elec brake control will run you over $100.00.
Buy em quick!!!!
See Ya
John

dr deuce · Post by **dr deuce** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 4:55 pm

I paid $25 each for them new in the box (4 as I recall) at the Ft Lee VA show back in...?

Nick Bombini · Post by **Nick Bombini** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 1:18 am

I'll definatly pick them up if I make it back to the surplus store. I highly doubt they will have been sold as most people won't even know what they are. If I do pick them up, they are both spoken for (I'm keeping one and the other will go to John).

Now lets just hope I have to make another trip to the city the surplus store is in again soon.

--Nick

Capt Lee P · Post by **Capt Lee P** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 6:21 pm

Hi,

I bought one at the Convention in Dayton. The seller had four left, I guess you guys bought them. I installed mine, works great.

Nick Bombini · Post by **Nick Bombini** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 11:43 pm

John, look for a PM. I picked them up yesterday.

Bill, would it be possible for you to post a picture or possibly a few of the NOS kit yo picked up? I already saved the PDF of the kit manual you put on the site, it has been very informative.

Here is a pic of the two I picked up.

--Nick

UK Jack · Post by **UK Jack** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 10:59 am

HI Nick.

Mine is exactly the same as the one on the left. Not sure if it is post war?!

John V Cliche · Post by **John V Cliche** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 8:08 pm

Hi Nick

Sent a reply to your PM

John

dr deuce · Post by **dr deuce** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 8:35 pm

If you mount your brake controller so that you can read the lower left gauge, and especially if you have a directional signal, be very careful about getting in and out. The brake light terminals will get your knee!!!! Both closed cabs and open cabs exhibit the same problem.....

The GMC CCKW

Brake Controller...

Brake controller

brake control

Brake Controller