Has anyone checked out the new electric parking brake that can be used as a theft deterrent? I noticed one vendor is selling one that you plumb in your front or rear brake line. Depress the brake and flip a toggle switch to set it. Anyone have one? I did a quick search, didn't see anyting pop up.
Bought one for a customers car. The directions say to apply the mechanical parking brake after installing. Why have redundant systems. Why add the solenoid wiring and other issues for no real advantage. I returned it
The thing seems to be the same as a linloc. Would be OK for a short while but will kill the battery for any length of time. Towtrucks used a mechanical switch to the rear brakes to lock the wheels.
Back in the '60's I used a line loc as an emergency brake (with no mechanical back up) and didn't like it. The solenoid needed to be energized constantly when used as an emergency brake and would run the battery down eventually so I never trusted it for any long periods of time. The other thing I didn't like was having the entire brake system pressurized for long periods of time which seemed like the perfect formula to create hydraulic leaks as the constant pressure pushed the brake fluid past the seals. So the Line loc worked great for what it was intended for but ****ed as an alternative for a mechanical emergency brake.
Dave, I think your referring to the Estopp- it pulls on existing ebrake cables to the proper load (600 lb) then locks, does not pull an electric load when set ; just saw it advertised in Hot Rod, and considering it on my truck. It's about $450 www.estopp.com I agree with the others on a Line Loc type valve being a poor idea for the reasons mentioned.
There used to be a Micro lock.It was a valve that plumed into the brake line,The old style single master cylinder could be plumed so you pumped up your brakes and then shut the valve locking the pressure,this would keep all four wheels locked up.They where used on tow trucks ,fire truck,and delivery trucks.Not a real good long term solution .I have one on my panel that I use when putting my boat in the water,I don't trust just the regular parking brake.Mine is hooked up just to the rear wheels,but they lock solid.
Someone please explain to me how it is a good idea to spend $450 on electrical devices that add weight, complexity and additional components to fail instead of just yanking those ebrake cables with a lever or foot pedal? On anything remotely resembling a hot rod? It's not like, say, M-B trying to out-gizmo Lexus or something.
I agree with you. But this is being discussed as a theft deterring device. It's hidden, so the would-be thief wouldn't know the brake is on, and he won't know how to disable it. Thats the theory, anyway.
It is basically a line lock. We have been using them for years as parking brakes on tractors, forklifts, etc.... They work fine, but whats the point, they want the car they will get it one way or another. Look up the company MICO, they have tons of different ones, here is their explanation of how they work. The MICO® Electric Activated Brake Lock supplements the standard parking brake of a vehicle by using a portion of the hydraulic service brake system. The brake lock is installed directly into the vehicles service brake system. It is activated by the flip of a toggle switch located within reach of the vehicle operator. When the operator applies the brake pedal, the brake lock acts as a one-way check valve and holds pressure to the brakes until the lock is released. Service brake operation is not affected by the use of the brake lock.
Further to the above. It was designed for the disabled that can not apply the usual hand brake handle.
Now that is not what I was thinking, but it is totally stupid unless you are disabled. If you feel the urge to waste $450 you can send it to me. Seriously dude, a pair of side cuts and the car could still be stolen, cutting the cables at the backing plates is all it takes.
There was a Cadillac (new model 2006 I think) that someone on here used in a 32 Roadster. I looked for one in junk yards and never got a lead on one.
$450? ****, that's money that could be used for important stuff. Ain't got no time or money for fancy "college guy" ****.
I think the original point was using a brake lock as a theft deterrent. As was said, there are ways to get around that fairly easily. It would be nice if someone could invent a pretty foolproof deterrent.....but what would it be?
Didn't they invent it a long time ago? Cheap, Easy, Foolproof, as can be. You can get the type for the steering wheel or a brake lock type.
It is a Micro I believe. I have one installed in my 30 from 25 years ago. Here is the instructions. Hope this helps.
Ha Ha, I don't know if they work or not, as long as they have been around I figured they do, but then again deer whistles have been out for a while too.
Seriously, I saw a thief on a news show take one off in about 10 seconds. I used them back in the day, but I guess the bad guys have seminars on how to remove stuff from cars. It might stop a kid, but not a REAL thief.
Heater 63,...That's a great product..NSRA approved it this past year, as an acceptable parking brake. They are installing them on handicap van conversions,... because it 's easy to install and compatible with handicap conversions. 4TTRUK
I heard some new luxury cars have them now, and that they work with conventional ebrake cables. Perhaps the price will come down when someone starts to identify the donor cars? They are small, easy to mount and are anti-theft-ish. If they were only $100 bucks they'd probably go like hot cakes. Gary
a lot of the new [2011 up] GM cars have electric parking brakes, have a switch on the console and an electric 'spool' to run the cables.
Heck, for that matter just wait for a Harbor Freight sale and get yourself their electric ATV winch for $59.99. That'll do it.
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