Cracking the code: Solving electric truck service challenges

Sustainability initiatives across trucking bring us closer to an electric truck reality–and some are already working hard in short route applications. But with electric truck operation comes service troubleshooting. Now, technicians are faced with new and at times unexpected challenges during the servicing and repair process.

Diagnosing and repairing a traditional truck can be like unraveling a classic whodunit, utilizing familiar clues and techniques to solve the mystery. However, working on an electric truck adds a technologically advanced dimension to the puzzle, with intricate wiring diagrams, obscured components, and a multitude of computers and sensors that must be analyzed to uncover the answers you seek.

But don’t let that scare you from solving the issue, because just like any good detective, technicians have all the tools and knowledge needed to crack the case wide open and get these trucks back on the road. You don’t have to wait for electric trucks to enter your fleet to start electrical system training.

Some of the biggest pain points for technicians troubleshooting electrical systems include diagnosing and identifying electrical issues even on diesel trucks. Techs need to understand complex wiring diagrams and schematics, and find and access relevant components within the system. So let’s brush up on some electrical system service tips.

Before all else, be sure to:

Completely clean batteries and battery boxes;
Remove and clean all cable ends and replace all bad ends;
Load test each battery on the lead portion of studs or install lead cones;
Replace batteries that do not hold a 9.5-volt load (approximately 300 amps for 15 seconds – maximum loss of 3 volts); and
Check for chafed cables and hold downs.

If that doesn’t solve the problem, it may be something else. What are the biggest pain points for technicians troubleshooting electrical systems? How might this evolve as more electric trucks come into the market?

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