Dennis,
what do you want to know about model brake systems? Models primarily use Pneumatic brakes. The air is carried in a pressure vessel..usually 80-100psi that is hooked up to a brake valve of some sort.

There are mechanical ones like the BVM and UP6 brake valve that requires a servo to actuate them and are proportional. You have simple on/off brake valves that are also mechanical but are usually a button valve. All the mechanical valves are actuated by a servo of some sort.

Then you have the electronic brake valves which are solenoids that either are on/off or proportional by either just opening or closing the solenoid for on/off operation or by pulsing the solenoid to provide proportional braking. The difference between the electronic brake valves and mechanical ones are that their is no servo needed. They plug directly into your receiver.

They all have their downsides as well. Mechanical brake valves can leak over time as their o-rings get worn and the BVM unit has to be setup very precisely or else it will leak air. Their is also the need for a servo on the mechanical valves. The two downsides to the electronic brake valve are that in proportional mode the valve bleeds off air unless it is full on or full off and you can not use it as a parking brake like you can with the mechanical valves.


If I have left something out, I am sure someone will fill in what I forgot.

patrick.