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Equalize

Verfasst: 14.04.2021 00:44:43
von VMPP
Hi

What is the purpose of using the * key to equalize the brake pressure?
What can you do with it, and what are the advantages?

Re: Equalize

Verfasst: 14.04.2021 09:41:05
von jonathanp
I am not air brake expert, but as I understand it:

The air brake system on a wagon is activated by a drop in pressure below the pressure of an air reservoir holding air at the release pressure(5 bar). However, since different locomotives will supply slightly different pressures when the driver commands the brakes to release, this could mean that on some wagons the brakes do not operate correctly after forming up a new train, since the reservoir still holds air at the release pressure supplied by the previous locomotive that hauled it.

The equalize function automatically raises the brake pressure slightly above normal and then reduces it again so that all the wagons have the same reservoir pressure.

In the real world, a driver might use it after coupling up to a rake of wagons, or if they have problems with dragging brakes. However, since in Zusi 3 all trains are already ready to drive and fault-free when you start the simulation, and the formation always stays the same, there is never any need to use this feature.

Re: Equalize

Verfasst: 15.04.2021 19:15:47
von Melvin
Another problem on longer trains is, that you may have a pressure drop from the loco to the last car. So you may have 5 Bar at your loco and only 4,7 bar at the last car. Therefor the brakes on the last car are not released.
With the equalizer you push the pressure at the loco to 5,5 Bar and get a pressure of 5,2 Bar at the last car. Now the brakes realease. After that the equalizer function reduces the pressure very slowly to 5 Bar at the loco again. Now you have 4,8 Bar again at the last car, but because the pressure was lowered slowly, the controlvalve of the brake "does not notice" the change and the brake stays released.

As far as my Information go, the function in Zusi only changes the pressure in the main air line, but it has no impact on the brakes. So you dont have to use it, but you can ;)

Hope it helped.

Re: Equalize

Verfasst: 16.04.2021 18:07:48
von VMPP
Maybe it can help out a bit on the longer, older and heavier trains.

Sometimes, when facing a red, and when you have to go full brake on those longer, heavier trains, like on a 151 or 110, etc.., when the signal suddenly turns green, even though you fully release the brake, most of the times you still grind to a halt, as the brakes are not releasing fast enough.

Meaning, that, most likely, that principle can be of some help in getting on the move again... :D