The Mysterious Workings of an Automatic Locker (as I understand it, and, most importantly, in theory)
And automatic locker, be it Detroit, powertrx, aussie, etc. all work on the same principle. The only difference is how the mechanism go about achieving said goal.
When going in a straight line, the locker is engaged.
As soon as one wheel wants to spin, all torque is removed from that wheel.
Therefore, if one tire is up in the air, that tire will want to spin faster. This will then cause the automatic locker to disenguage power to that wheel and apply all the torque to the wheel that has traction.
When turning, the outside wheel must turn faster than the inside wheel (unless your spinning your tires around a corner), therefore, the automatic locker will disenguage all torque to the outside wheel, and supply 100% of the power to the inside wheel (read: the wheel that is turning slower).
Once the vehicle is straight again, the wheels will turn at the same speed, therefore locking the locker again, and providing equal torque to both axles.
Now, If you get on the throttle too much and spin the inside tire while turning, then it will catch up to the speed with which the outside wheel is spinning and the locker will enguage. But as long as you keep your foot out of it, you shouldn't have any problems. So, if you've got a front locker (particularily in the winter time), you're going to have to be conscientious of the fact that if you lose traction with your inside wheel, your locker will engage.
Note, that I do NOT have a front locker. This is all information that I've been able to gather from Mr. Cole (the fellow that runs Torq Masters) and people that have run automatic front lockers.
$0.02
Kris
P.S. With regards to street driving, automatic lockers are designed to disengage when turning a corner.