Idling Auto Start/Stop Questions

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by texasbigbird54, Jul 14, 2013.

  1. texasbigbird54

    texasbigbird54 Light Load Member

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    Uvalde, TX
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    I hope these are not dumb questions. When a company has trucks without APU's and have an auto start/stop feature when idling, I am wondering exactly what that means? Does it work just like it says? Does the truck's diesel engine start up and turn off by itself intermittently for a predetermined duration? If so, is the idle time allowed by this feature to run the A/C adequate to keep one cool in hot humid climates while in the sleeper? Or does the truck just idle for a period of time just once, then shut off for good? Thanks.
     
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  3. 25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    All computer controlled engines can be shut down with a timer, certain engines can be equipped with a control to start and stop the engines as needed to maintain temperature, coolant or cab, and battery voltage.

    IKON is the Cummins version, i think, and OPTI-IDLE is the version for Detroit, I don't know if Volvo and Mack have anything, or if Caterpillar did, and the older, non ECM controlled engines had no way to do this.
     
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  4. MNdriver

    MNdriver Road Train Member

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    I went to the neighbors today.

    He's got an 06 pete with an ISX. It was running when I got there.

    Went inside, talked a bit, came out so he could change the oil. It had shut down. :mmeek:

    He's an O/O and has owned it for over 5 years. He still has his auto-shutdown in the ECM enabled. Never said a word about it....

    I know on my Detroit S60, I can set it for either thing. Shuts down after X time or I can have it keep track of temp and start/stop within the parameters.

    I just have it set to run non-stop instead.
     
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  5. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    Heres what you do.Bump the cruise switch and it will remain idling.My trk does it,it shuts off like in 5 minutes.So I hit the cruise an it idles high then stays on.You can hit cruise high then tap it again to lower the cruise and it will still remain idling.
     
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  6. Rooster1291979

    Rooster1291979 Road Train Member

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    It's similar to the ac in your home. You set your desired temp. Once the truck reaches the desired temp, let's say 72 degrees, the truck shuts off. When it senses a 4 degree variance between desired temp and actual temp the truck will start and run until it hits 72 again. It will do this as long as you have the opti idle engaged.
     
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  7. coastie

    coastie Road Train Member

    USA Truck had that on their trucks, and it did help save fuel but one time it had me believing I had a ghost. It was set to run on temp setting and it was -20 out side and I ended up sweating cause it never shut back down. I got up turn the key off and laid back down. No sooner my head hit my pillow it started back up again I almost ran out of the truck. (Key was in the Off Position)
     
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  8. 379exhd

    379exhd Road Train Member

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    Lmfao I would've been running across the lot in my underwear if that happened.
     
  9. HORIZON2819

    HORIZON2819 Bobtail Member

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    Toronto,ON
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    Try this ... It worked when I used to drive for a company .. They had this APU set up.. Do not apply parking brakes .. If you are parked then use trailer brakes ... Because by applying parking brakes the timer starts ... But make sure when you are Boobtail .. Bobtail i meant... Use chokes.... Good luck
     
  10. w0lfpack91

    w0lfpack91 Bobtail Member

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    My prostar has this essentially it is set in the computer what parameters sets it but since my truck has the electric APU with an inverter mine is set on battery voltage. At 12.2 the engine will fire up run for an hour and shutdown to charge battery's for continued use


    Yeah it's a good feature and from what I've seen it has no triggers to disable automatically unless it jumps when starting signaling in gear
    OR when you physicly turn the key to turn it on. My truck will cycle through on off on off every so often even with no key
    Some companies program trucks to run continuous after a certian temp is met. Back in college during the corse on ecm programing we were shown how to set a truck to start itself with no key at certian Temps to maintain engine temp for coolant and oil. They do have a "Deadman switch" so to speak. If they sense movement they auto kill to prevent things like starting in gear then the system remains disabled until late next key cycle
     
  11. TROOPER to TRUCKER

    TROOPER to TRUCKER Anything Is Possible

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    The Volvo's auto idling when you are on cruise and flat land also on grades. It will then shift to the gear needed for the road.
     
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