IdlePro Extreme 350-, 420 amp alternators offered on Blue Bird rear engine diesel, CNG school buses

Prestolite Electric has been awarded standard position by Blue Bird o supply IdlePro Extreme alternators from Leece-Neville Heavy Duty Systems. Blue Bird All American rear engine (RE) diesel and CNG-powered school buses will be offered with IdlePro Extreme 350- and 420-amp alternators as standard and optional equipment for models utilizing a Cummins 2021 engine.

The Cummins 2021 engine designs found on Blue Bird All American RE diesel and CNG-powered buses require a specific approach to its corresponding charging systems, Prestolite Electric noted in a press release. This particular bus model and engine combination utilizes electric fans cooling the radiator that are powered by the IdlePro Extreme alternators.

For applications utilizing a Cummins L9 or B6.7 300-horsepower engine using a six-fan cooling system and the lower horsepower engines of the same design with A/C will be offered with the IdlePro Extreme 350-amp alternator as standard. For the bus models running a 2021 Cummins L9N engine, the IdlePro Extreme 420-amp alternator will be standard equipment.

Features of the IdlePro Extreme 12V alternators, as noted by the manufacturer, include:

12-volt, 280-, 325-, 350- and 420-amp outputs available in a brushless design.
Minimum of 90% of a unit’s rated maximum output at engine idle, in certain applications.
Remote Sense capable—returns battery to full charge between stops and reduces overall charging time.
Auxiliary Draft Cooling design—fan and front housing design and integration for temperature control of the front bearing. Front bearing is kept 10°C cooler as compared to traditional external fan designs.
Rated up to 125°C—ideal for the high-temperature environment commonly found in school bus applications.
E-coated heavy-duty design offers reduced corrosion and improved vibration resistance.
Isolated Ground Technology reduces stray voltage currents traveling through the engine, helping to reduce component wear and eliminate potentially severe electrolytic damage.
Assembled in America.
No core.