| Telma Retarders provide a safe,
cost reducing solution for fleet maintenance mangers in many industries including refuse
vehicles, transit buses, fire apparatus, school buses, anbulances, tour buses, RV's,
paratransit and shuttle buses to name only a few. The following questions and
answers are most often asked by people responsible for making their vehicles safer,
keeping budgets in-line, and making it easier for drivers to perform better. Q. What are Telma Retarders and how do they operate?
A. Telma Retarders rely on a force as old as
gravity- electromagnetism. Telma Retarders can be mounted between two driveshafts.
A Telma retarder works by sending an electric current to coils with alternating
polarities which create an electromagnetic field. Eddy currents are generated in two
rotors as they pass through this field slowing their rotation, the driveshafts attached to
them and therefore the rear wheels, The stator houses the electromagnetic coils and
is attached to the chassis, transmisison or axle of the vehicle. Round discs called
rotors are attached to the driveline. A thin air gap is maintained between the
rotors and the coils. In normal operation, this turns freely. But when
electric current flows through the coils, eddy currents are created that slow the rotors,
and the driveline.
Q. Where can I get service / information for the
Telma Retarder?
A. We are a full service dealer for Telma
Retarders. We can provide you with consultation, purchasing, installation, and service of
all Telma Retarders. |
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Q. Are
Telma Retarders Compatible with ABS braking systems? A. Yes,
because of Telma Retarders' short response time(120 miliseconds), operation can be fully
automated when used with an ABS system and Telma's unique electronic interface; the
equipment makes all the "right decisions" automatically without any action
required from the driver.
Q. How does the Telma Retarder save money?
A. The Telma Retarder does this in a number of
ways. The most important way savings are obtained is through reduced brake
maintenance costs and the downtime associated with this expense. Because Telma
Reatrders are activated before the brakes are applied, they provide up to 85% of the
braking horsepower needed to slow the vehicle. This reduces friction on the
foundation brakes and extends brake life. In applications where brakes are
repeatedly applied- in stop and go conditons-the brakes do not get a chance to completely
cool. They retain heat and wear out at a much faster rate. By installing Telma
Retarders, brakes stay cool, and the vehicle can get an average of five and up to 10 times
more brake lining life.
Q. How do Telma Retarders make vehicles safer?
A. Telma Retarders enhance the safety of
vehicles by providing a safety back-up system. As long as there is current in the
battery, the vehicle can be safely slowed. They also make slowing under slippery
conditions safer. By only affecting the rear wheels, the retarder slows the vehicle
while maintaing full steering control.
Q. What maintenance do Telma Retarders require?
A. Due to the frictionless design, Telma
Retarders are virtually maintenance free. On CC and CE models simply grease the
roller bearings every 24,000 miles. Occasionally a relay contact needs replacing
(approximately every 2,000,000 cycles).
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