[Phil G.]

I did some wiring this weekend on a Pete for a friend. He wants a remote start installed if it will work. The only issue I see is what needs to be bypassed to get it to roll over and will in roll in the cold weather with the trans engaged in neutral? Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[Gone Fishen]

The current Series 60 engine program has what is called an 'Optimized Idle'. It starts and stops automatically when: battery voltage is low,cab temperature is to high[summer], cab temperature is to cold[winter]. Not a Sereis 60, then remember that the program is based on 2 sensors that check to see if either splitter hoses or air shifter is in gear. If so the truck will go to the start procedure but stop because the truck is not in neutral. Kind of what you are thinking about. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Jfaulkner]

There isn't any reason it won't work. You just have to make sure that the ignition load is either ran through external relays or that it's not above the maximum of the remote starter unit (30 amps typically) Also keep in mind the parking brakes of a semi are stronger than the starter motor, so a runaway isn't a real big worry. (as long as the parking brakes work. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif) The only other potential problem would be a tach wire. Most remote starters sense an AC current for a tach source i.e ignition coil. Some diesel pickups have a tach wire the starter will recgonize. I know the Duramax does, while with the newer Dodges you need to tap the ECM. I'm not sure about the tach on a semi. I've used a "diesel tach generator" which attaches to the alternator and senses alternator pulses and converts them to a tach signal. Most remote starters have a "tachless" setting which senses voltage to know if the engine has started but with multiple batteries that may not always work.

 

[Birken Vogt]

[ QUOTE ]
Also keep in mind the parking brakes of a semi are stronger than the starter motor, so a runaway isn't a real big worry.

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't bet on that. Many (not all) trucks have some really low gears that can easily overcome the parking brakes. It just depends on the transmission and axle ratios, and what gear it was left in.

Roadranger transmissions have what is called a "slave valve" that does not allow the range shift to occur until the transmission is in neutral, I wonder if that could somehow be used for a neutral safety? Otherwise some remote starters have a feature that the truck must have been idling in neutral when shut down in order to arm themselves for startup later.

Birken

 

[Jfaulkner]

[ QUOTE ]

Don't bet on that. Many (not all) trucks have some really low gears that can easily overcome the parking brakes. It just depends on the transmission and axle ratios, and what gear it was left in.

Birken

[/ QUOTE ]

I had one with 5.33 gears and it wouldn't do it. I put it in gear to lay across the seats and forgot. I don't know of many "OTR tractors" with a lower ratio than that. However that comment was made with a fair amount of humor, (which would explain the big grin) That would have to be one MASSIVE starter motor to counteract 4 maxi brakes. (8 or more if the trailer was present and brakes set) If your brakes can't stop a 12v starter motor then that truck shouldn't be on the road in the first place. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif

 

[aceohearts]

[ QUOTE ]
That would have to be one MASSIVE starter motor to counteract 4 maxi brakes. (8 or more if the trailer was present and brakes set) If your brakes can't stop a 12v starter motor then that truck shouldn't be on the road in the first place.


[/ QUOTE ]

Actually, 4 maxi brakes is an option. The majority of OTR tractors only have maxi's on the front drive axle. Mine is that way. They put them on the front, because unless the interlock is engaged the front axle is not a drive axle. By having the rear axle free of parking brakes you can push/pull start the truck in an emergency.

So in effect the starter motor is only fighting the 1 axle.

 

[Birken Vogt]

[ QUOTE ]
Actually, 4 maxi brakes is an option. The majority of OTR tractors only have maxi's on the front drive axle. Mine is that way. They put them on the front, because unless the interlock is engaged the front axle is not a drive axle. By having the rear axle free of parking brakes you can push/pull start the truck in an emergency.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree that 4 maxis is an option. However, the vast majority of the ones I see do have 4 maxis. Almost nobody orders only 2 any more.

Also, all 4 wheels are driving whether or not the interlock is engaged. All tandems have a power divider that does just that, divides power between the front and rear. The interlock operates just like a side to side diff lock except it is front to rear locking the axles together, disallowing differential action between them while it is engaged.

Birken

 

[CATTC]

A company by the name of Temp-A-Start sells a system to automatically start/stop diesel engines...the Detroit Diesel optimized idle system is based on there product. I have installed 3 of these systems on Cat engines...the system auto starts the engine based on oil temp, battery voltage and/or cab air temp. You can learn more at www.tempastart.com

 

[rvannatta]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Actually, 4 maxi brakes is an option. The majority of OTR tractors only have maxi's on the front drive axle. Mine is that way. They put them on the front, because unless the interlock is engaged the front axle is not a drive axle. By having the rear axle free of parking brakes you can push/pull start the truck in an emergency.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree that 4 maxis is an option. However, the vast majority of the ones I see do have 4 maxis. Almost nobody orders only 2 any more.

Also, all 4 wheels are driving whether or not the interlock is engaged. All tandems have a power divider that does just that, divides power between the front and rear. The interlock operates just like a side to side diff lock except it is front to rear locking the axles together, disallowing differential action between them while it is engaged.

Birken

[/ QUOTE ]

I believe the current cummins electronic engines have a special connector on the ECM for 'remote start'. there are major differences in what needs to happen to start an E engine as opposed to the mechanical ones.

 

[Phil G.]

Thanks for all of the replies. It sounds like I need to find out what engine I am dealing with first. All I know about it at this point is that it is a Pete straight frame dump with a pup but I don't know year, etc. yet.

 

[maniac]

[ QUOTE ]
Actually, 4 maxi brakes is an option

[/ QUOTE ]



My KW has 4 maxis, I believe since the anti-lock brakes came into use 4 maxis are standard now.

As far as pull starts the new computer controlled trucks MUST have some kind of voltage otherwise the ECM will NOT let it start no matter where you pull it to.

 

[Phil G.]

OK, I've got the details on the engine. It's a C15 CAT 475hp in a 2005 Pete straight frame dump. Anyone got any ideas what I would have to do different to make this baby run off a remote start vs. the standard install I would do on one of our trucks? Thanks in advance!

 

[Birken Vogt]

I am guessing it is not a big deal, just figure how to adapt the wiring to the key switch, and it is not even in the steering column, it is behind the dash board so all your wires are right there.

Birken