Peterbilt introduces Vehicle Electrical Control Unit
Peterbilt Motors Co. announced the Vehicle Electrical Control Unit (VECU), which the company says will increase customer functionality and simplify body upfitting. “Peterbilt’s heritage is built on customers being able to order a truck that is designed and manufactured specifically to get the job done in the most efficient and reliable manner,” said Robert Woodall,
Electrical system checks: Find failures before they happen
Ensuring that your electrical system preventative maintenance practices are up to date with today’s technology could mean the difference between your trucks rolling productively to their destination or being sidelined on the road due to a CSA inspection. Lighting, in particular, is often cited as one of the most common reasons that CSA inspections take
EnerSys offers Odyssey battery, electrical system analyzers
EnerSys has expanded its Odyssey battery offering to include advanced battery and electrical system analyzers. Available for heavy-duty and automotive applications, the testers offer a Smart HTML PC interface and feature single load, dynamic resistance technology for accurate results; a Speed Check to test battery packs, solo batteries and electrical systems quickly; and a printer for a
Shining a light on used trailer electrical systems
Lighting is often cited as one of the biggest CSA violations—and it’s easy to see why. Or not see, in the case of lighting that is inoperable. You’ll want to closely inspect the electrical system integrity of a used trailer. It starts with the cables, wiring and lighting components that are exposed to the elements.
Tips for diagnosing intermittent electrical issues
Diagnosing performance problems is often challenging, especially when the concern doesn’t happen all the time. Intermittent problems tend to be time consuming and frustrating to diagnose. The diagnostic process for such issues sometimes amounts to trying a replacement part stored in the toolbox for just such occasions. That can work, but not always. For instance,
Checking truck electrical connections: Multimeter do’s and don’ts
As the spring season starts to thaw winter’s freeze, it’s a good time to give your trucks and trailers a good once-over to ensure that all components are operating properly. The lighting system is a good place to start. Check for any loose connections, broken wires or excessive corrosion at the connections, since, of course,
Let’s talk truck electrical connection maintenance
All tractor-trailer electrical connections need to be secure and properly maintained. Typically, the seven-way electrical assembly is disconnected 99% less on the tractor side than on the trailer side. This means the connection is cleaned only 1% of its life on the tractor, causing it to corrode faster. The most common warranty claim for a
Preventing costly trailer electrical system failures
“Corrosion-causing moisture is always present and any breach in integrity enables it to invade an electrical system,” says Brett Johnson, president and chief executive officer of Optronics International. “When connections aren’t maintained, not only can it mean an early death for that particular component, it can mean that the entire system may be in jeopardy.”
Tips for ‘old school’ electrical connector maintenance
With the end of summer, the beginning of the wet and cold seasons looms on the horizon. For those who service or operate older equipment without weatherproof electrical connectors, it means it’s time to ensure that all exposed electrical connections are in good shape, along with all the other winter maintenance checks for commercial trucks.
How to maintain good electrical connections in your trucks
When it comes to tractor-trailer electrical connections, there is no such thing as “plug and play.” In other words, all electrical connections need to be secure and properly maintained. “Testing in the proper sequence is critically important to not only perform the correct test, but also in the correct sequence and repair as you go,”
