MICO BRAKE LOCK
MICO 02-620-009
NAPA 57515
TSM
3800 - $280
http://perfectionequipment.catalog.com/viewProduct.cfm?item_id=711241
This Lock requires 12 volts to activate the Brake lock, the brake peddle is pressed and the brakes are locked. Then the power can be removed and the brakes will stay locked until the Brake Peddle is pressed again.
Here is how to do a double flare
http://www.classictrucks.com/tech/0501cl_brake_line_basics/index.html
NO POWER DRAIN
I was worried that if I forgot to turn off the brake lock Toggle switch
some evening, that it would drain on the battery all night. Not
so, there is a pressure switch called the Arming Switch
that only applies power to the brake lock when the brake peddle is
pushed. So even though you have the brake lock toggle switch in
the ON position, no power is drawn until you press the brake.
When you release the brake, the power goes off, and the lock holds
mechanically. If you pump the brakes, the Arming Switch reapplies
power so that the new pressures setting is accepted and the lock is
reapplied. So the device requires no continuous power and you can
leave the toggle switch in the ON position as an indicator that
you have the brake lock in operation. When you want to release
the lock, you just turn off the toggle switch and push on the brake.
FAILURE INDICATOR
Mico encourages you to wire the exit pressure switch to the car horn so
that if you have the Brake lock turned on with the toggle switch, and
you ever loose pressure on the brakes (like your old wheel cylinders
are leaking) the horn will sound and warn you that you are about
to slip into the river. I don't want to warn every one in the
camp that I have a leaking system so I use an alarm inside the
coach. Since you can leave the Brake lock power switch on without
drawing power, this feature does not cost you any power from the
battery.
LOSS OF BRAKE VACUUM
In case you do not have a backup vacuum Pump, it
seems to me this lock could be a life saver. The problem is when
the engine stops, you get one pump on the brakes. With this, you
can flip on the brake lock, you can capture that one pump, and any
additional
pressure you might be able to generate with the adrenalin assisted, two
handed, pull off the steering wheel, stand on the brake peddle.
Might
just save your bacon.
REDUNDANT, NOT PRIMARY PARKING BRAKE
Mico and everyone says "DO NOT USE THIS FOR A PARKING BRAKE"
which is of course is what we are going to do. The reason they
say this is the Brake Lock is not full-proof enough to be a
primary
hand / emergency brake. There are several elements in this
system that could fail and release the brakes. So to protect their Back
sides, they have to say this and the DOT agrees. Gene
-----------
The 02-620-009 MICO 12V. Brake Lock is still being manufactured and
is available through MICO distribution. Due to changes
in vehicle brake systems, this lock is not recommended for any
on-highway applications, although it remains popular for
forklifts
and other off-road vehicles & machines. MICO would recommend
you choose a brake lock other than the 02-620-009 for your
motor home.
The MICO web-site <mico.com> contains information on other MICO locks and information on distributor locations.
Thank you for your inquiry.Tim AndersonMICO Sales
ANTI - THEFT DEVICE
If you add a hidden or key switch to supply power to the brake lock,
you
have an excellent anti-theft device for the GMC. If any one
touches
the brakes while trying to steal or move your GMC, the brakes will be
locked
on and it would be necessary to lift the rear of the coach (8,000
pounds)
to move the coach.
----------------
The hydraulic line lock is basically a valve and available in either a manual or electrically activated versions.
The problem with a manual type is that it has to be in close proximity to the driver so that you can activate it. To operate it, you pull a knob to activate and depress the knob to deactivate, all the while you are depressing the brake pedal. It's analogous to pulling out the headlight switch to turn on the lights and pushing it back in to turn them off.
What the above means is that the valve, which fits in you hand, has to be plumbed into the rear brake line. That would mean you would have to route it into the driver area interior of the coach.
The other type, also plumbed into the rear brake line, is activated by an electrical switch, which you can see is much more convenient in that it can be located anywhere you want in the drivers compartment area. See this site for an example of the electrically operated line lock: www.mico.com , which is the one Leigh Harrison supplies. The one I purchased from Leigh in 1995 is P/N 02-620-009. I didn't locate that number on Mico's site, so perhaps they have renumbered??
I did look at their 690 Brake Lock System brochure and note several
interesting systems they have - lever lock, twist lock, and single lock
(a cable operated for remote locations). Guess I'll have to call
them and see if there is a etter Mico application.Paul Bartz
Jamar
Performance Products.
Thanks to Dave Lowry
for the Pictures
These pictures are provided by Dave Lowry ,GMC Owner. He has had good luck with this brake lock with the exception that it will sometimes lock up when the brakes get real hot. I really like the operation of this lock because it cannot be applied accidentally. The operation is : press the button, then press the brakes, then release the button. The brakes will remain actuate until the brake peddle is pressed again.
The mounting is very easy and only the rear brakes are effected.