Situation:
Highway Driving
Technique:
Operating in the “Drive” mode is recommended for normal driving conditions to reduce engine RPM for maximum fuel economy. Your Foretravel is equipped with an Allison Transmission with a secondary shift schedule option “mode selection button”, the mode should be “ON” for secondary mode versus “OFF” for the primary mode.
Situation:
Mountainous Driving (Up & Down Terrain)
Technique:
Manually pre-select a lower gear in order to maintain engine speed within a range of 500 RPM of engine governed speed. Road speed may decrease but power (torque) will remain at peak output while ascending a grade. When descending a grade, never use a higher gear than was used climbing that same grade. The selection of a lower gear will also minimize cycling between a gear and the next gear on a series of short up & down hills.
Situation:
City Driving (Stop & Go Traffic)
Technique:
Select the highest range that will allow the vehicle to reach the speed you expect to maintain between stops. This will minimize cycling between a gear and the next higher gear while driving in stop & go traffic conditions. When traffic conditions return to normal, move the selector back to the DRIVE position.
Situation:
Driving on Ice or Snow
Technique:
If possible, reduce your speed and select a lower gear before you loose traction. Select the gear that will not exceed the speed you expect to maintain. Accelerate or decelerate very gradually to prevent loosing traction. It is very important to slow gradually when a lower gear is selected. It is important that you reach the lower gear selected before attempting to accelerate. This will avoid an unexpected downshift during acceleration.
Situation:
Engine Braking
Technique:
To use the engine as a braking force, select the next lower gear. If the vehicle is exceeding the maximum speed for this gear, use the service brakes to slow the vehicle. Engine braking provides good speed control for going down grades. When the vehicle is heavily loaded, or the grade is steep, it may be desirable to pre-select a lower gear prior to the grade. The transmission control system will inhibit a shift into any range at a speed that will cause engine over speed. Any lower forward range may be selected at any time, but the actual engagement will not occur until road speed is reduced – downshifting is progressive as road speed decreases. The inhibit effect will cause downshifts to occur at slightly higher speeds than normal automatic downshifts.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Battery Types
The two battery types that have been used in your Foretravel house system over the last decade or so are Valve Regulated Lead-Acid (VRLA). Commonly known as either a gel (Gelled Electrolyte) or an AGM (Absorbed Glass Matt).
How does a VRLA battery work?
A VRLA is a “recombinant” battery. This means that the oxygen normally produced on the positive plates of all lead-acid batteries is absorbed by the negative plates. This suppresses the production of hydrogen at the negative plate. Water (H2O) is produced instead, retaining the moisture within the battery. It never needs water and should never be opened as this would “poison” the battery with additional oxygen from the air.
How are a gel battery and an AGM battery similar?
Both are lead-acid storage batteries that:
• are sealed using special pressure valves and should never be opened.
• are completely maintenance free other than the connections should be retorqued and the battery exterior cleaned periodically.
• uses a recombination reaction to prevent the escape of hydrogen and oxygen gases normally lost in flooded lead acid battery (particularly in deep cycle applications).
• are non spillable, and therefore can be operated in virtually any position. However upside down is not recommended.
How are a gel battery and an AGM battery different?
• an AGM is an electric storage battery that has its entire electrolyte absorbed in separators consisting of a sponge-like mass of matted glass fibers.
• a gel battery uses thixotropic gelled electrolyte. (sometimes fluid and sometimes gel: becoming fluid when shaken or stirred and returning to a gel state when allowed to stand)
• Both are considered as “acid starved”. This condition of both protects the plates during heavy deep-discharges. The gel battery is more starved, giving more protection to the plate; therefore it is better suited for super-deep discharge applications.
• Due to the physical properties of the gelled electrolyte, gel battery power declines faster than an AGM battery as the temperature drops below 32°F. AGM batteries excel for high current, high power applications and in extremely cold environments.
How does a VRLA battery work?
A VRLA is a “recombinant” battery. This means that the oxygen normally produced on the positive plates of all lead-acid batteries is absorbed by the negative plates. This suppresses the production of hydrogen at the negative plate. Water (H2O) is produced instead, retaining the moisture within the battery. It never needs water and should never be opened as this would “poison” the battery with additional oxygen from the air.
How are a gel battery and an AGM battery similar?
Both are lead-acid storage batteries that:
• are sealed using special pressure valves and should never be opened.
• are completely maintenance free other than the connections should be retorqued and the battery exterior cleaned periodically.
• uses a recombination reaction to prevent the escape of hydrogen and oxygen gases normally lost in flooded lead acid battery (particularly in deep cycle applications).
• are non spillable, and therefore can be operated in virtually any position. However upside down is not recommended.
How are a gel battery and an AGM battery different?
• an AGM is an electric storage battery that has its entire electrolyte absorbed in separators consisting of a sponge-like mass of matted glass fibers.
• a gel battery uses thixotropic gelled electrolyte. (sometimes fluid and sometimes gel: becoming fluid when shaken or stirred and returning to a gel state when allowed to stand)
• Both are considered as “acid starved”. This condition of both protects the plates during heavy deep-discharges. The gel battery is more starved, giving more protection to the plate; therefore it is better suited for super-deep discharge applications.
• Due to the physical properties of the gelled electrolyte, gel battery power declines faster than an AGM battery as the temperature drops below 32°F. AGM batteries excel for high current, high power applications and in extremely cold environments.
Cold Weather Operational and Storage Tips
Whether your coach is to be used during the winter months or put up for storage, the chance it will be exposed to freezing temperatures or inactivity requires some preparation and maintenance attention.
Operating Coach in Cold Weather:
It is important to understand the interior water lines, fixtures, supply tank, pump and appliances are normally protected from moderate freezing temperatures, as long as the furnace remains in operation. Please keep in mind that your Motorcoach was not designed for prolonged use in sub freezing temperatures without implementing special precautions.
• Heating your coach requires an adequate supply of L.P. or diesel. Fuel tanks should remain as full as possible for extended cold weather trips.
• Pre-Heat your diesel engine before starting if it has cooled down overnight.
• When camping during cold weather select a sunny campsite over a shady one, near a wind break if possible.
• Park with either the front or rear of the coach into the wind if possible.
• Make reservations ahead to make sure the campground of preference is open.
• It is recommended that once each week both engine and coach batteries be fully charged. This is especially important in colder climates, due to their nature, batteries will eventually discharge if not used and recharged on a regular basis; also resistance to a charge can develop.
Extended Cold Weather Storage:
Winterizing of the domestic water system is a necessity when storing your coach around or below freezing temperatures. If your coach is exposed to freezing weather and has not been properly prepared it may be damaged by possible ice expansion.
• Water lines, water heaters, hydronic heating systems, icemakers, water filters, pumps and faucets etc. are at potential risk. (See your Foretravel Owners Manual or other component specific manual for more details).
• If power is unavailable at the storage location for an extended period, in order to minimize battery drain, turn off master disconnect switch (located by entry door). This master disconnect switch will turn off everything on the coach battery, except the L.P. /CO detectors. If you have a 2 or 3 way refrigerator this must be turned off individually.
• The Engine batteries are not affected by the master disconnect. If no power is available they should be charged fully and the ground cable disconnected. If power is available the boost switch should be activated weekly to maintain them.
• The coach should be stored with the fuel tank full to reduce possible condensation in the tank. For prolonged storage (60+ days), use an additive with an algaecide.
• Take steps to address possible rodent or pest infestation.
• Remove all perishable food from cabinets and refrigerator.
• Clean roof top air conditioner filters and cover if possible.
• Pull Shades, close blinds and clean the interior.
• Prepare generator for storage. If possible try running generator with a load on it at least a ½ hour per month.
• To keep the coach highway ready run the main engine at least ½ hour each month. Driving the vehicle at highway speeds once a month for 10 to 20 miles will help keep the mechanicals in good working order and also helps protect tires from non use damage.
Operating Coach in Cold Weather:
It is important to understand the interior water lines, fixtures, supply tank, pump and appliances are normally protected from moderate freezing temperatures, as long as the furnace remains in operation. Please keep in mind that your Motorcoach was not designed for prolonged use in sub freezing temperatures without implementing special precautions.
• Heating your coach requires an adequate supply of L.P. or diesel. Fuel tanks should remain as full as possible for extended cold weather trips.
• Pre-Heat your diesel engine before starting if it has cooled down overnight.
• When camping during cold weather select a sunny campsite over a shady one, near a wind break if possible.
• Park with either the front or rear of the coach into the wind if possible.
• Make reservations ahead to make sure the campground of preference is open.
• It is recommended that once each week both engine and coach batteries be fully charged. This is especially important in colder climates, due to their nature, batteries will eventually discharge if not used and recharged on a regular basis; also resistance to a charge can develop.
Extended Cold Weather Storage:
Winterizing of the domestic water system is a necessity when storing your coach around or below freezing temperatures. If your coach is exposed to freezing weather and has not been properly prepared it may be damaged by possible ice expansion.
• Water lines, water heaters, hydronic heating systems, icemakers, water filters, pumps and faucets etc. are at potential risk. (See your Foretravel Owners Manual or other component specific manual for more details).
• If power is unavailable at the storage location for an extended period, in order to minimize battery drain, turn off master disconnect switch (located by entry door). This master disconnect switch will turn off everything on the coach battery, except the L.P. /CO detectors. If you have a 2 or 3 way refrigerator this must be turned off individually.
• The Engine batteries are not affected by the master disconnect. If no power is available they should be charged fully and the ground cable disconnected. If power is available the boost switch should be activated weekly to maintain them.
• The coach should be stored with the fuel tank full to reduce possible condensation in the tank. For prolonged storage (60+ days), use an additive with an algaecide.
• Take steps to address possible rodent or pest infestation.
• Remove all perishable food from cabinets and refrigerator.
• Clean roof top air conditioner filters and cover if possible.
• Pull Shades, close blinds and clean the interior.
• Prepare generator for storage. If possible try running generator with a load on it at least a ½ hour per month.
• To keep the coach highway ready run the main engine at least ½ hour each month. Driving the vehicle at highway speeds once a month for 10 to 20 miles will help keep the mechanicals in good working order and also helps protect tires from non use damage.
Engine Oil Vicosity
From time to time we get questions about engine oils and various aspects of how they are rated and what the designations mean. One of the least understood may be the numbers on the front of the container.
In the old days oils would have a single rating such as SAE 30. That rating was simple enough to understand as this was termed “30Weight”.This meant at operating temperatures a “30 Weight” would be thicker than a “20 Weight” and thinner than a “40 Weight”.
Then multi-grade oils came on the scene for good reason. These oils met SAE specifications for the low temperature requirements of lighter oil and the high temperature requirements of heavier oil. You may have also heard of them referred to as all-season and all-weather oils. All of the engines Foretravel currently use are factory filled with a multi-grade SAE 15W-40.
In simple terms, oil is rated for viscosity by heating it to a specified temperature, and then allowing it to flow out of a specifically sized hole. Its viscosity rating is determined by the length of time it takes to flow out of the hole. If it flows quickly, it gets a low rating. If it flows slowly, it gets a high rating.
The temperature requirement set by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) is 0° F for the low temperature and 210° F for the high temperature. Oils meeting the low temperature rating have the “W” (winter rating) after the viscosity (example: 15W). Oils meeting the high temperature requirements have no letter (example: 40). So a 15W-40 would have a “winter rating” of 15 at 0° F and a 40 rating at 210° F.
The wider viscosity range of multi-grade oils allows for much wider temperature ranges than single weight oils. Most modern multi-grade oils are formulated from various oil grades and additives so the oil will have the best characteristics of both thick and thin viscosity oils. Better flow at low temperatures allows for easier starting and better cold start lubrication, yet retains enough thickness and film strength at the high temperature range.
For our diesel engines the SAE 15W-40 is a good all season multi-grade and is good for engine starting down to approximately 10° F and provides for best engine durability at higher ambient temperatures. It will work well for the typical areas of the country you will be heading off to in your Foretravel.
In the old days oils would have a single rating such as SAE 30. That rating was simple enough to understand as this was termed “30Weight”.This meant at operating temperatures a “30 Weight” would be thicker than a “20 Weight” and thinner than a “40 Weight”.
Then multi-grade oils came on the scene for good reason. These oils met SAE specifications for the low temperature requirements of lighter oil and the high temperature requirements of heavier oil. You may have also heard of them referred to as all-season and all-weather oils. All of the engines Foretravel currently use are factory filled with a multi-grade SAE 15W-40.
In simple terms, oil is rated for viscosity by heating it to a specified temperature, and then allowing it to flow out of a specifically sized hole. Its viscosity rating is determined by the length of time it takes to flow out of the hole. If it flows quickly, it gets a low rating. If it flows slowly, it gets a high rating.
The temperature requirement set by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) is 0° F for the low temperature and 210° F for the high temperature. Oils meeting the low temperature rating have the “W” (winter rating) after the viscosity (example: 15W). Oils meeting the high temperature requirements have no letter (example: 40). So a 15W-40 would have a “winter rating” of 15 at 0° F and a 40 rating at 210° F.
The wider viscosity range of multi-grade oils allows for much wider temperature ranges than single weight oils. Most modern multi-grade oils are formulated from various oil grades and additives so the oil will have the best characteristics of both thick and thin viscosity oils. Better flow at low temperatures allows for easier starting and better cold start lubrication, yet retains enough thickness and film strength at the high temperature range.
For our diesel engines the SAE 15W-40 is a good all season multi-grade and is good for engine starting down to approximately 10° F and provides for best engine durability at higher ambient temperatures. It will work well for the typical areas of the country you will be heading off to in your Foretravel.
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