Truck Parts and Service | Heavy Duty Trucking, Aftermarket, Service Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/412479
11 Tech Updates W W W . T R U C K P A R T S A N D S E R V I C E . C O M N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 4 | T R U C K P A R T S & S E R V I C E P hillips Industries says the path of least resistance is incredibly important when dealing with electrical currents. Resistance in terms of electricity is anything that limits the fl ow of electri- cal current, whether slowing it down or reducing the amount of electricity all together, the company says. On every tractor/trailer there will be some resistance that normally occurs as the electricity fl ows from the power source at the front of the tractor to the end source on the trailer. However, there are some things that can be done to make sure that the power on your customer's vehicle is taking the path of least resis- tance, if you know what to look for. COPPER WIRE GAUGE Phillips says most people don't realize that copper wire has its own resistance. Its resistance is proportional to the length of the wire and its cross-section/ thickness (gauge). Electricity running through a smaller gauge wire has more resistance trying to reach its destination than a wire with a larger gauge, Phillips says. Think of wire gauge as a water pipe. The longer and thinner the pipe, the more time it will take for water to travel from point A to point B. The shorter and thicker the pipe, the less time it takes for the water to travel to its destination, the company says. How to take the path of least resis- tance: While all vehicles are already OEM spec'd for proper wiring, it's important to make sure that proper electrical cables with the correct gauges are being used between the tractor/trailer, the company says. Any add-ons to the trailer (not original to the OEM specs), that require additional wiring should use the correct size gauge. Additional ground wiring for these add-ons should also be taken into consideration as well, Phillips adds. ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS For every plug and socket connection a small voltage drop will occur. Phillips says this is due to contacts that do not mate 100 percent. The construction of pins and receptacles don't always make full contact; even the most effi cient design will have some voltage drop. This creates resistance. How to take the path of least resis- tance: Always make sure that your plugs are securely connected to the socket. Phillips says if your socket has split pins, use caution and very carefully use a screw driver to open them up slightly so there is better contact between the wall of the pins on the socket and the wall of the pins in the plug. THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE SAFETY RECALLS The following are safety recalls issued by the National Highway Traffi c Safety Administration: Blue Bird Body Company is recalling certain model year 2007-2015 All American and Vision, 2007-2011 Micro Bird, and 2007- 2008 Conventional school buses equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manu- factured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack. If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator. Collins Bus Corporation is recalling certain model year 2014 Collins and Mid Bus school buses, models SL400, SL408, DH400, DH416, DE416WR, DH500, DH516 and DE516WR, manufactured from July 21, 2014, to Aug. 19, 2014. The affected vehicles may have been assembled with an inadequate amount of adhesive on some interior side panel joints. In the case of a collision to the side of the vehicle, the edge interior panel may become exposed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 221, "School Bus Body Joint Strength." If the edge interior panel becomes exposed, there is an increased risk of injury to the passengers. Daimler Trucks North America is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Western Star 4900 trucks manufactured June 24, 2013, to April 30, 2014. The affected vehicles were manufactured without Anti-lock Brake Sys- tems. As such, these vehicles fail to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 121, "Air Brake Systems." When not equipped with ABS, the affected vehicles have a greater chance of wheel lock up when braking, increasing the risk of a crash. Mack Trucks is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 CXU trucks manufactured Aug. 23, 2012, through June 27, 2014, and equipped with adaptive cruise control. Due to a software error, the affected vehicles may not provide visual or audible alerts to the driver warning them that an obstruction in the road was detected. If the driver is not warned of something being in the truck's path, there is an increased risk of a crash. Vanguard National Trailer Corporation is recall- ing certain model year 2014 VIP and VXP trailers manufactured Oct. 10, 2013, to April 24, 2014, and equipped with certain SAF- Holland-brand CBX Trailer Suspension Air Ride Axle Systems. The affected trailer suspen- sions have pivot bolts that may fail. Failure of the pivot bolts may cause the suspension and attached axle to separate from the trailer, increasing the risk of a crash.