Driver’s Manual

CONGRATULATIONS. Your vehicle is equipped with a TELMA

Frictionless Braking System. Permanently connected to the driveline of your
vehicle, it provides you with essential safety, cost effectiveness, accurate and
reliable braking, and is ready to function under all circumstances. TELMA
supplies your vehicle with an additional braking system that works along with
your service brakes. You will benefit from improved braking resulting in
increased safety and substantial savings on brakes, tires and route times.

Using your TELMA will reduce the use of the service brakes, which as a result,
remain cool and fully effective for the occasions on which they are really
needed – such as emergency stops. Read this guide before getting behind the
wheel. It will tell you how to make the most of your TELMA.

CONTENTS
Page
THEORY OF OPERATION How They Work 1
Types of TELMA Mounts 1

CONTROLS Brake Pedal Application 2

Hand Control 2
Off-Throttle Control 2
Combined Control 3
Dashboard Indicator 3
ABS Interface 3
OPERATION (Driving) Overview 4
Important Points to Remember 4

COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION 5

ROUTINE MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST 5

 T H E O RY O F O P E R AT I O N
THEORY OF OPERATION
How They Work
[ 2]

[ 1] [ 3]

[4]

2 The TELMA is permanently connected to the drive shaft [1] of the vehicle.
2 The TELMA contains two rotating discs called rotors [3 ] and a stationary
component called the stator [ 2]. The rotors rotate at the same speed
as the drive shaft. The stator is mounted between the two rotors and
has eight coils [4 ].
2 When the TELMA is activated, current flows through the coils which
induces a magnetic field that passes through the rotors. This magnetic
field produces "eddy currents" within the rotors which slows the motion
of the drive shaft, thus decelerating the vehicle. There is no physical
contact (friction) within the TELMA and, therefore, no wear.
2 The system is configured so that it will be applied gradually in four stages.
The four stages reflect 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of TELMA power that
is applied.

Types of TELMA Mounts

There are two types of TELMAs: a driveline mount and a focal mount. There
is no difference in their operation; the difference is where the TELMA is
mounted. The driveline unit is mounted within the driveline, between
the transmission and the rear axle. The focal is mounted directly to the
rear axle.

Driveline Mount Focal Mount

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CONTROLS
CONTROLS
The TELMA Frictionless Braking System contains several components that
the driver needs to understand in order to operate the vehicle safely
and effectively. Listed below are the major components and their function
within the TELMA system. The TELMA system may be activated by several
different methods. It may be necessary to determine which type of controls
your vehicle is equipped with.

Brake Pedal Application

(Foot Control)
This type of control should be used in
urban stop-and-go type applications
and where automatic TELMA activa-
tion is desired. The TELMA activates
automatically when the brake pedal is
applied. It is integrated into the vehi-
cle braking system (air or hydraulic),
and will function as the brake pedal is
depressed. Slight pressure on the
brake pedal gradually applies the
Brake Pedal TELMA. The TELMA activates before
the service brakes are applied.

Hand Control Hand Control

This type of control is used for mountainous
applications where TELMA activation on long
downgrades independent of the brake pedal is
desired. The hand control may be mounted
either on the steering column or built into the
dashboard. To activate the TELMA, simply
move the hand lever to one of the four
powered positions:
Position 0: TELMA Power OFF
Position 1: 25% TELMA Power
Position 2: 50% TELMA Power
IMPORTANT! The hand control
Position 3: 75% TELMA Power
does not automatically turn off at
Position 4: 100% TELMA Power
low speeds. Do not forget to reset
the lever to Position 0 when the
vehicle is stationary or when the
TELMA is no longer required.

Off-Throttle Control
Off-throttle control allows the TELMA to be automatically engaged when the
driver lets off the accelerator pedal. Either one or two stages can be
activated in this manner and the remaining stages activated by the brake
pedal. This type of control is usually combined with brake pedal

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 CONTROLS
application. A hand control switch can also be used to select the number of
TELMA stages that will activate when the accelerator pedal is released.

Accelerator Pedal

Combined Control
Any of the controls mentioned above can be combined to provide increased
versatility in the use of the TELMA. Please refer to each section above for
further explanation of each control.

Dashboard Indicator
A dashboard indicator is the driver’s main indication of TELMA’s function.
This indicator contains four separate lights within the display which illuminate
as the unit is activated. Each light corresponds to one of the four stages
of the unit. The lights will illuminate in succession as the TELMA is being
activated.

Dashboard Indicator

IMPORTANT! The lights indicate that the TELMA is operating. They

should never illuminate when the vehicle is stopped or when the brakes
are not applied. If this occurs discontinue operation and drive the
vehicle to the maintenance facility for immediate repair.

ABS Interface
The TELMA system is equipped with an electronic interface designed to work
with your vehicle’s Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS). During an ABS event (an
ABS event is defined as any wheel lock-up) the TELMA will
automatically turn off, allowing the ABS to control the brakes without
interference from TELMA. After the ABS event, the TELMA will reactivate
progressively to assure proper braking.

NOTE:
If the vehicle’s ABS warning light remains on, the TELMA
will not operate. When the ABS warning light is on, there ABS
is a problem with the ABS. The ABS must be serviced before
the TELMA will operate.

3
O P E R AT I O N ( D R I V I N G )
OPERATION (Driving)
Overview
The TELMA is a simple, fully integrated
system that is always ready to operate as
soon as the vehicle is moving (above 2 mph)
in any driving conditions: city, highway, hilly,
long gradients, snow, ice or mud. The
following section will give the driver
important operational points on using the
TELMA in order to operate it
efficiently. The proper use of
this device will provide the
driver with safe and effective
braking in all conditions.

After just a few minutes of operation you will be able to feel

the power that the TELMA can add to your normal braking.

Important Points to Remember

2 The TELMA operates by normally applying the brake pedal. You will
notice that less pedal travel is needed to obtain sufficient braking.

2 The TELMA will automatically shut off at low speeds (below

approximately 2 mph). If the TELMA stays on when the vehicle is
stopped or below 2 mph, report it to your maintenance department.

2 Make sure all four dashboard indicator lights come on in sequence when
the brake pedal is fully engaged. If one of the lights does not turn on, it
is possible that one stage of the TELMA may not be working properly.

2 When the vehicle’s ABS warning light stays on, the TELMA will not
operate. Report this to your maintenance department to service the ABS.

2 If you experience a noticeable reduction in the TELMA braking force,

please notify your maintenance department.

2 The TELMA should be pressure washed periodically. Please make sure

that it is clean and free of debris before operation of the vehicle.

2 Unlike most secondary braking systems, the TELMA will function

effectively in reverse (above approximately 2 mph).

2 The TELMA will not magnetically attract metal objects.

2 The TELMA is integrated into the vehicle’s braking system. To avoid
vehicle malfunction do not tamper with or disable it.

4
 COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION
COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION

ABS Interface

This illustration will help to TELMA

locate and identify the major
components of the TELMA
Frictionless Braking System.

Dashboard
Indicator

NOTE: The locations of the

components are approximate
and may vary from vehicle Pressure
to vehicle. Switches
Relay Box

ROUTINE MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST

ROUTINE MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST

It is recommended that the TELMA maintenance checklist be incorporated into
your regular vehicle maintenance schedule. The maintenance intervals may vary
depending upon the severity of operation and the annual mileage of the vehicle.
The following maintenance schedule is recommended:
MILES 3,000 12,500 40,000
Grease TELMA (Driveline Mount)
NOTE: TELMA’s sealed grease ✓
fittings do not require greasing.
Check End Play in Rotor and Stator ✓ ✓ ✓
Check Air Gap Measurement ✓ ✓ ✓
Check Grease Seal (Driveline Mount) ✓ ✓
Check Axle Pinion Seal (Focal Mount) ✓ ✓
Check Fastener Tightness –
Driveline and Brackets ✓ ✓ ✓
Check Condition on Rubber (Shock) Mounts ✓
Verify Grounds and Wiring Condition ✓ ✓ ✓
Check Relay Box Function ✓ ✓ ✓
Check Relay Box Contacts and Terminal Condition ✓ ✓
Verify Retarder Amperage ✓
Check Hydraulic Brake Foot Pedal Adjustment ✓ ✓ ✓
Verify Dashboard Indicator Light Function ✓ ✓ ✓
Verify that the TELMA Disengages When Vehicle Stops ✓ ✓ ✓

IMPORTANT! In the case of any abnormalities, consult your TELMA

distributor or the factory as soon as possible for assistance in the
maintenance of your vehicle.
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Telma Incorporated
1521 Morse Avenue
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
Phone: 847.593.1098
800.797.7714
FAX: 847.593.3592
www.telmausa.com

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