The bad weather we have experienced over the past couple of Winters has put even more pressure on the starting circuits of commercial vehicles.

Today one of the biggest challenges a fleet manager faces is keeping truck batteries charged – particularly with the greater electrical demands that Winter places on today’s trucks.

Commercial vehicles are also becoming ever more sophisticated electronically. As Winter approaches the demands on the battery, the starter and the alternator become even greater because of the additional drain to the alternator caused by specific Winter usage – lights, heating, windscreen wipers.

At Remy we have put an enormous amount of work into ensuring that we improve the durability and efficiency of our Heavy Duty starters and alternators to ensure that they can cope with the additional demands made by driving in Winter conditions. It costs a company a lot of money when a commercial vehicle is off the road unnecessarily. That is why, as a matter of course, all Remy Heavy Duty rotating electrics products are tested in cold chambers to ensure that they can handle all types of road conditions using simulation techniques to achieve a life expectancy of three times the normal.

The Battery

The battery is the heart of the commercial vehicle in Winter driving conditions for both the cranking and charging truck system. It is the place where all checks and troubleshooting must begin. It stores and provides power to crank the engine as well as acting as a secondary source of power when the load exceeds the alternator output. It also acts to stabilise the system and smooth out damaging voltage spikes. When a commercial vehicle fails to start in the colder temperatures outside people automatically assume that the problem is with the starter motor. However, this is very often not the case.

So look at the batteries first. Are they leaking, have any cracks and do the posts appear damaged, burnt or corroded. If the battery appears in good visual condition then load test the battery and observe the voltage. A good reading is a minimum of 12.4v. If lower re-charge and repeat the sequence.

The Starter Motor

There are five main components that work together as a system in the starting circuit of a commercial vehicle – the battery, the starter motor, the cables, the magnetic switch and the key switch. A problem in one or more of the five main components can cause starting problems. In these situations you should ensure that the engine is switched off and then check/test the battery.

Check that the cable connections from the battery to the starter motors are secure. A loose connection will affect the cranking system – reducing power – and can cause damage to the battery/starter motor terminals. Also check that the connections from the battery to the starter motor are not corroding, as, if corroding is present in the terminal connections this will result in reduced output. You should also check all connections to and from the magnetic switch for loose connections and corrosion and all cables should be checked for any damage.

The Alternator

The same is very true of the alternator charging system which actually has only three components which work together as a system – the battery, the cables and the alternator. A problem in one or more of these components can cause charging and starting problems. With alternators you should always check the drive belt, pulley and/or tensioner, as well as the charging cables for any damage. You should also check that the cable connections at the battery and to the alternator are secure.

A loose connection will affect the charging system – reduced output – and can cause damage to the alternator terminals. Check that the connections at the battery to the alternator are not corroded as corrosion present at the terminal connections will result in reduced output.

Remote Sense Technology in Larger Commercial Vehicles

One final bit of advice from me to CVW readers is to consider remote sense technology – specifically designed to extend battery life. Maintaining fully charged batteries – even in Winter – is not an issue with the Delco Remy Remote Sense technology which is a unique feature of our 28SI High Output Alternator.

Remote Sense monitors voltage at the battery with a second wire that reads the actual voltage and signals the alternator to boost its output to compensate for any voltage drops. This increases the life of a battery and boosts its efficiency. In fact it can improve battery charge time by as much as 50%. And, not surprisingly, that has led to a decrease in warranty claims by 30%.

Alternators with Remote Sense are particularly effective in Winter on vehicles that make frequent stops, such as delivery trucks and trucks with lift gates. In these situations there is no time to wait for batteries to charge – or worse – for them to be jumpstarted or replaced. Not to mention the costs involved and the time that the vehicle is off the road. In Winter, Remote Sense technology can make the difference between batteries that are fully charged and those that are not.

These are I hope some useful tips as Winter driving conditions approach.

By Michael Flensborg, Sales & Marketing Director of Remy Automotive