remote starters on a semi?

Home / the12volt's Install Bay / Car Security and Convenience / remote starters on a semi? (

Topic Closed)

Welcome Guest :)

Members

< Prev Topic Next Topic >

kim b

Copper - Posts: 46

Joined: March 19, 2009

Location: Wyoming, United States

Posted: April 09, 2009 at 7:37 AM / IP Logged

I work for a trucking firm and many of the owners are always asking me about installing a remote start system on their semi-tractors. Has anyone ever done this or is it even possible?? Obviously it would require a system that is diesel capable.

Thanks, Kim

Chris Luongo

Platinum - Posts: 3,746

This member consistently provides reliable information

Joined: May 21, 2002

Location: Massachusetts, United States

Posted: April 09, 2009 at 7:56 AM / IP Logged

No real reason why not.

There are plenty of products compatible with diesels. Some, you connect to the wait-t-start wire on the dash or a glow plug on the motor..........others have a built-in, adjustable timer that simply delays cranking, which makes installation easier.

I think these are going to be your three major obstacles:

1. Manual-transmission vehicles are already more difficult. I assume very few of these trucks are automatics, right?

2. The online wiring databases seem to have much more information for cars than for heavy trucks. Chances are you'll be on your own as for finding which color wire is which under the dash. Do you already have a multimeter or at least a test light, and the ability to use it.

3. If you run into a problem, people on this site will of course try to help you, but you probably won't find anyone with experience on that particular truck.

howie ll

Pot Metal - Posts: 16,466

Joined: January 09, 2007

Location: United Kingdom

Posted: April 09, 2009 at 8:29 AM / IP Logged

And of course over here anything over 3.5 tons is 24 volts, just thinking of the extra relays!

Velocity Motors

Moderator - Posts: 12,488

This member has made a donation to the12volt.com. Click here for more info.

This member has been recognized as an authority in Electrical Theory. Click here for more info.

This member has been recognized as an authority in Fabrication. Click here for more info.

This member has been recognized as an authority in Mobile Audio and Video. Click here for more info.

This member has been recognized as an authority in Mobile Security and Convenience. Click here for more info.

Joined: March 08, 2002

Location: Manitoba, Canada

Posted: April 09, 2009 at 9:11 AM / IP Logged

I got to do one a few months back and it's pretty simple. I used the Compustar CM5000 and set it up for diesel ( 8 second delay ) and have it set to crank for 3.5 seconds which for this truck was barely enough to have it start. No need for the ACC on these trucks because the IGN shares the same wire. Highway tractors have no need for clutch bypass and from what I understand the truck is always left in nuetral.

All the trucks out on this side of the world are 12 volts.

Jeff

Velocity Custom Home Theater

Mobile Audio/Video Specialist

Morden, Manitoba CANADA

Search for other posts by Velocity Motors

howie ll

Pot Metal - Posts: 16,466

Joined: January 09, 2007

Location: United Kingdom

Posted: April 09, 2009 at 9:24 AM / IP Logged

Thanks for the reply VM and you're the Shiznak (whatever that means, hope I haven't insulted you). 12volts, gotta be a reason, I know why UK went from pos. ground in the late 60's but I wonder if there's a technical reason for it. In Europe and Japan they're all 24volt, with on your bigger stuff, 7.5 to 42 tons, there are OEM perm and acc droppers for the audio gear, Sat navs and phones.

kim b

Copper - Posts: 46

Joined: March 19, 2009

Location: Wyoming, United States

Posted: April 09, 2009 at 10:59 AM / IP Logged

Yea, any real truck driver always leaves their truck in nuetral. The only problem I could see is that there would be no way to fast idle the truck,but that wouldn't really matter. I used to own a truck and Detroit Diesel has an option called Optimized Idle that is very similar to a remote start system. A remote would be ideal here in the winter where you can program it for temp start.

Thanks, Kim

ckeeler

Gold - Posts: 1,461

Joined: June 20, 2008

Location: New Mexico, United States

Posted: April 09, 2009 at 1:09 PM / IP Logged

I install them on trucks all the time. Piece of cake. no info in any wiring databases and it wouldnt matter anyway, most trucks use the same color wire in all their harnesses (except for Sterling which is actually a big Ford and out of business now anyway) so everything has to be tested. the hardest part is the hood pin switch being that the hood opens backwards. i just use a tilt switch on them now and that works even better.

Sorry, you can NOT post a reply.
This topic is closed.

Printable version

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Search the12volt.com

Follow the12volt.com

Disclaimer: *All information on this site ( the12volt.com ) is provided "as is" without any warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to fitness for a particular use. Any user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and use of this information. Please verify all wire colors and diagrams before applying any information.

remote starters on a semi?

Sorry, you can NOT post a reply.This topic is closed.

Sorry, you can NOT post a reply.
This topic is closed.