Heavy duty charging and starting system testor and method
First Claim
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1. A system for testing a vehicle alternator comprising:
- a tester apparatus;
a plurality of load leads adapted to connect to components of the charging system, wherein said components include said alternator;
a plurality of voltage leads for connecting to components of the charging system, wherein said components include said alternator;
a data connection cable for connecting said tester to a vehicle data port;
a cable for connecting said tester to an R-terminal on said alternator; and
means for determining the condition of said alternator.
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Abstract
A systematic method and system for testing the charging and starting systems of a vehicle, which requires each individual test to pass before proceeding is provided. In addition, the invention incorporates an improved alternator test that determines whether the alternator belt is slipping using data read using a vehicle data port. Further, the invention provides a battery bank test that correlates the voltage before and after a load is applied to the battery bank to the batteries'"'"' conditions. When testing the starter, the oil temperature is read via the vehicle data port, allowing for a determination of whether the current draw is abnormally high.
37 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for testing a vehicle alternator comprising:
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a tester apparatus;
a plurality of load leads adapted to connect to components of the charging system, wherein said components include said alternator;
a plurality of voltage leads for connecting to components of the charging system, wherein said components include said alternator;
a data connection cable for connecting said tester to a vehicle data port;
a cable for connecting said tester to an R-terminal on said alternator; and
means for determining the condition of said alternator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus for testing a starter of a vehicle comprising:
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means for connecting first leads to the starter;
means for connecting second leads to a battery;
means for ensuring that the leads are connected correctly;
means for measuring the voltage drop from the battery to the starter while a load is connected to the battery;
means for starting the engine of said vehicle;
means for measuring, while the engine is cranking, the voltage drop in the starter and cables;
means for reading the oil temperature of said vehicle engine via a vehicle data port; and
means for determining the current draw of said started as a function of said oil temperature. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for testing an alternator of a vehicle comprising:
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means for connecting leads from a tester to said alternator;
means for determining whether said vehicle has a vehicle data port;
means for connecting said tester to the R-terminal of said alternator;
means for reading data from said R-terminal when the engine is idling at a set point;
means for loading the alternator system;
means for reading ripple and voltages when the engine is rewed to a governed speed;
means for monitoring the voltage for a set period of time; and
means for determining the condition of the alternator. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification