I installed a 10 ohm resister inline with the switch that controls my modified Exhaust Back Pressure Valve that I have converted to an exhaust brake. I was concerned that the straight 12 volts would overheat the solinoid coil. Even with the resister in place it works just fine. The reason that I installed the coil is I sampled the power that the ECU supplies to the coil. It's not a steady 12 volts. It's a pulse modulated 12 volts that greatly controls the amount of current that the solinoid is able to use. So I put in a resister and it still works great.

 

Did you use the design posted at The Diesel Stop or did you design your own? I've been debating doing this mod for the last 2 years and haven't made up my mind. How do you like it?

 

I made my own after studying other people's designs. My design ended up being a three position switch obtained from NAPA with off in the middle, momentary on one side and fully on on the other side. I cut the wires going to the solinoid as I didn't have any interest in having that irritating hissing noise in the morning on the way to work. And I didn't want to deal with having to get the rectifiers necessary for protecting the ECU. I live in Seattle with very mild weather even in the winter so it's a non issue for me.
Anyway. I grabbed power from the grey/yellow wire coming off of the ignitoin switch recommended and went to both sides of the switch with it. So there is 12 volts going into the switch on each side. The wire coming out of the middle of the switch goes to the solinoid, with the resister being installed inline on that wire. The wire coming out of the other side of the solinoid just goes to ground.
Yes I like it a lot. I haven't pulled the trailer with it yet but I know it will help a lot.

 

Have you considered doing a write-up for FTE based on your modified design? Since it is your own design I think you should. It would be nice to be able to post a link for that mod on FTE instead of another site. I also think the resister was a good idea. I've heard of some people having problems after a while (not many) probably because of the power issue. A write-up with diagrams (if possible) would be great!

 

Thank you for the compliment. I'll work on that and post it here. It will take a couple of days.

 

If you submit it to FTE and they post it (and I'm sure they would) I believe they send you a free FTE T-shirt.

 

Yea, get the written up with pictures. I'm read about it and have thought about doing it, just not quite sure yet. If I could see how it is done and how it works I'd probably be more interested.

 

Yes, they do.

 

Heheh, that wink, Cookie makes me wonder if everyone's pulling my leg about the t-shirt.
T-shirt aside, I would like to submit, but don't know where all the other mods are posted. If there is such a place, I would like to take a look at them so I can duplicate the format. Then I'll post the EBPV mod and also the fuel system mod. The fuelie mod is the one that I am most happy to share. It costs about $100.00 from tank pickup to fuel return and it ends up being as good as a rear fed external regulator system. You all should hear the difference it's made with the truck.

 

We're not kidding about the T-shirt. I got one for a few contributions I made to the Super Duty forum.

 

yes please do do a write up. ive been looking for e-brakes but cant swallowthe 500 they want. ive been waiting for someone to explain the do it yourself.
what is the fuel upgrade you refer too?

 

Well I don't know what happened, this website was down for me all day yesterday.
Here is my story about the fuel mod: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=260173
Here is a very good documentary of what needs to be done to the fuel tank on a 1999-2003 7.3 PSD. http://community.webshots.com/album/32614313yLKyrS
Also www.texastowncar.com. You have to register, but it's worth it. Don't worry he doesn't spam you.
Ok, I need to go and work on the brake write up. DON'T buy an aftermarket exhaust brake, you can make one for very cheap.