not 100% sure..
Are these SVA compliant?
I dont think so, it has to be mechanical.
not 100% sure..
No, as already said, must be mechanical.
I've just been checking a few back issues of PPC and the SVA manual. I can't find anywhere where it says handbrakes must be mechanical. It
does say that the handbrake system MUST be entirely seperate from the footbrake.
Can anyone confirm what the current regs are?
Section 16.1 Parking Brake:
using a control which is independant of the service brake, and capable once applied of being maintained in the 'on' position solely by
mechanical means.
thats that idea out the window then!
I always fancied ditching the handbrake altogether and fitting a line lock device to the rear brakes - would make the tunnel much tidier and more
comfortable as an armrest 
Nowt to stop you having both cable and hydraulic like most rally cars do. The cable is there for SVA/MOT but you have the benefit of a fly off
hydraulic handbrake the rest of the time.
Also, bear in mind some builders have succesfully used solenoids etc with a simple on off switch which again cleans up the tunnel nicely.
Rich
Std hydraulic handbrake kits dont lock on. In theory if you fit one that has a completely independant fluid system to the main brakes and will ratchet
on then you could get away with it. It then begs the question why bother though as you may need seperate calipers / cylinders etc.
I think part o fthe idea is if your main hydraulic system fails at least you have something to hold the car at rest once you stop. Also if you have a
fluid system failure when parked up at least the mechanical handbrakes will hold the car stationary.
There's nothing stopping you having a hydraulic handbrake, it just needs a mechanical action to hold it on, ie a 'normal' handbrake lever with a hydraulic cylinder should be fine. It would work nicely on something like the BMW rear discs which have (had?) a seperate drum for the handbrake.
Theres no doubt a ratchet would hold the handbrake lever on and consequently the master cylinder pressure, but SVA argue a loss of pressure through
whatever means would render the brake useless.
As such youll need a cable backup as a minimum to satisfy that requirement.
Rich
If the cable broke (as they do!) that would also leave the brakes useless.
Sounds like swings and roundabout time...
I think it would be very open to interpretation. As above, it says it must be held on by by mechanical means. Doesn't say what form that should take, so it could be the rachet on a hydraulic system, or the same on a cable system.
I dont disagree, but youd not be the first person to fail SVA for not having a cable.
Their rules, their ball. Far better not to risk a benfit of the doubt issue. Fitting a cable is hardly much of an inconvenience anyway [subject to
most hydro-mechanical calipers] then please yourself after SVA.
[Edited on 15/9/06 by RichieC]
I have an under dash umbrella handle type handbrake lever off a Lotus Elan that I am planning to use. It should fall within the safe area behind the
steering wheel Any reason this won't get past SVA? This also gives a clean tunnel!
Caber
Till you go for MOT. They also require that you have a cable operated alternative system as backup. Local station is a 4x4 racer and he used to let the rally boys get away with a hydraulic handbrake with pushbike cable for show but I think those days are now long gone. The umbrella handle should be o.k. as long as it's efficient
quote:
Originally posted by Peteff
Till you go for MOT. They also require that you have a cable operated alternative system as backup. Local station is a 4x4 racer and he used to let the rally boys get away with a hydraulic handbrake with pushbike cable for show but I think those days are now long gone. The umbrella handle should be o.k. as long as it's efficient
quote:
Originally posted by RichieC
Nowt to stop you having both cable and hydraulic like most rally cars do. The cable is there for SVA/MOT but you have the benefit of a fly off hydraulic handbrake the rest of the time.
Rich
mate of mine failed his MOT years ago with hydraulic handbrake, he was told it had to be independent and mechanical so it could be used as 'emergency' brake, that was in the last century.