Trailer Testing

FACTS AND FIGURES CVSA ROADCHECK June 2-4, ,013 vehicles inspected 19.6% vehicles were placed Out Of Service 11.6% sidelined for Light System 24.7% sidelined for Brake Adjustment 26.9% sidelined for Brake System CVSA determined 60% of brake OOS could have been corrected in the pre trip inspection

FACTS AND FIGURES LIGHTING ISSUES 90% of discarded incandescent lamps were operational Majority of electrical circuit problems are caused by: Poor connections Road treatment chemicals

FACTS AND FIGURES BRAKE ISSUES Automatic slacks Must still be maintained & adjusted Brake Inspection Technician must be at the axel to witness movement

FACTS AND FIGURES ABS ISSUES Majority of ABS problems are sensor related Over 50% of ECUs returned under warranty were functional ABS operation is now being checked during State DOT Inspections

FACTS AND FIGURES TMC Survey 18% of technicians time is spent on diagnostics Pro-active maintenance is less costly than road repairs The electrical and air braking systems on today's trailers require diagnostic equipment

FACTS AND FIGURES TMC Goals Reduce vehicle downtime Diagnostic Equipment must be easy to operate Diagnostic equipment should have less than one year payback

FACTS AND FIGURES Trailer testing and maintenance practices need to protect the trailer systems from premature failure This means applying regulated known electrical power and air pressures during the testing Excessive and non-regulated 12v power damages wiring, lighting components, and ABS electronics. Excessive air pressure stresses the air system components. Low power and low air applications are not reliable for consistent testing.

For Your Safety, Chock Wheels and Observe Company Policies For Wearing Safety Equipment.

COMMON LIGHT TESTING High voltages over 13.8v create half life conditions on lighting and ABS components Unregulated voltage spikes (battery chargers) cause damage Low voltages cause dim lights and none operative electronics IF there is an unreliable 12 volt dc power source…

COMMON LIGHT TESTING IF all circuits are powered on together… Circuit shorts will disguise other problems Non-functional elements will not be obvious in dual element lamps Incorrect wired lamps will not be seen

PROPER LIGHT TESTING Observe circuit voltage & amperage Technician must verify each lamp operation and location Circuit faults will be discovered Open Short Open ground Chassis ground Brake light and Auxiliary electrical circuits are critical for ABS operation Auxiliary is primary power and is the Power Line Carrier (PLC) The Brake circuit is secondary power and activates ECU operation OPERATE ONE CIRCUIT AT A TIME

LIGHT TESTING

COMMON TRAILER BRAKE TESTING Emergency air system releases the parking brakes and is the supply for service operation. Service (brake) system is the control system by drawing air from the supply system thru the relay valve. IF unregulated air pressure is being applied… Excessive Pressures cause damage Insufficient Pressure causes inaccurate results Brake Compounding… Damage slacks Create air leaks Potential for technician injury

PROPER TRAILER BRAKE TESTING IDEAL testing duplicates the tractor operation Use regulated air pressure matching tractor operation Emergency/supply application of psi Service/control application at psi Equals a panic stop Consistent service pressure is required for reliable and accurate brake adjustment

For Your Safety, Chock Wheels Before Applying Air.

PROPER TRAILER BRAKE TEST PROCESS VISUAL INSPECTION OF BRAKE MOVEMENT AT AXLE IS REQUIRED 1.Apply emergency (supply) air 2.Service brake (control) application requires full supply pressure Cycle air application Make slack adjustments 3.Air leak test with applied emergency and service air Air loss on one side is external Equalizing air pressure is internal seal failure FEDERAL allowable air loss… 3 psi/minute on emergency(supply) air system 2 psi/minute on service air system

BRAKE TEST

ABS FACTS Beginning in 1998 all new commercial trailers and dollies were equipped with the blink code style ABS. The Power Line Carrier (PLC) style ABS was mandated in All have ABS warning lights indicating operation status. As of 2009, approximately 30% of all trailers and dollies have ABS. ABS testing requires filtered regulated 12 volt dc power from a battery or power supply.

ABS FACTS TMC has (2) Recommended Practices for ABS operation: RP 137 specifies the tractor Auxiliary output voltage to be a minimum of 10 volts measured at the vehicle cable trailer plug. RP 141 specifies 8.5v is required at the ABS Electronic Control Unit with the entire trailer systems powered. NOTE: The ABS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) will not power up with low voltage.

ABS OPERATION ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) operation depends upon the Auxiliary electrical and Brake light circuits. Auxiliary circuit is the primary power of the Electronic Control Unit (ECU). When the ignition switch is turned on, the auxiliary circuit is energized. The ECU commences a self test (valve clicks) The ABS warning light turns on. Stays on with active fault present Turns off without a active fault Brake circuit controls ABS operation Activates ABS operation whenever brakes are applied Backup power whenever Auxiliary power is not present (momentary delay occurs before the ECU is activated).

RECOMMENDED ABS TEST PROCESS The PLC style ABS can be fully tested at the 7w nose socket. FIRST: Energize Brake circuit to verify good operation. The valves will click and the ABS warning lamp will illuminate. Initial amperage will include brake lights, ECU load, and ABS warning lamp. If ABS lamp turns off, the brake lights and ECU amperage load will be displayed.

RECOMMENDED ABS TEST PROCESS SECOND: Energize Auxiliary circuit for ABS. If ABS valves do not click, then… ECU is faulty or Auxiliary circuit has a fault If ABS valves do click without warning lamp, then… ABS lamp has a fault If the ABS warning lamp stays on with Auxiliary power, then… there is an active ABS fault. Initial amperage will include ECU load and ABS warning lamp If ABS lamp turns off, the ECU amperage will be displayed

ABS TEST

COMPREHENSIVE TRAILER TESTING Single tool with diagnostic features One person operation that is simple to use Consistent process Perform trailer DOT test within 10 minutes including brake adjustments Reduce repair costs because of accurate diagnostics Improve on time delivery with road worthy equipment Reduce road costs including downtime, OOS violations, road service ONE TOOL ONE PERSON ONE PROCESS

OVERVIEW

GOOD MAINTENANCE = GOOD BUSINESS CUSTOMER COMMENT: We are using the INSPECTOR in the shop on each trailer that comes in for service. When we make a repair, we are also using it post-repair to certify expected results. We know the repairs are effective and the unit is ready for duty. I just believe our less-experienced techs benefit from the tool and I sleep better at night.

REFERENCES Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Rules & Regulations – – Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) – ABS – Operation Air Brake - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) – Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) – Canadian Transportation Equipment Association (CTEA) -