Too often drivers guess how much power their accessories require so they use an over rated or under rated inverter only to encounter issues. These can range from an inadequately rated inverter that cannot handle the load or one that consumes more current than necessary.


Purkeys Fleet Electric recommends using a Kill-a-Watt Tester. It safely and accurately measures the current draw of ac-powered devices on the tractor. Once you know the wattage requirement of the device(s) and provide our technicians with the information, we can then design the custom configuration and properly select the correct dc-ac power inverter for the application.


Simply plug ac powered devices into to the Kill A Watt®, which is also plugged into an ac outlet. It will help you assess power consumption by displaying the wattage, voltage or current of your devices.


With this information, you will be able to make better decisions on what ac powered accessories to use in your truck and decrease the amount of service calls due to inadequate power conditions.

For more information about acquiring a Kill-a-Watt Meter for your fleet, please contact one of our technical experts today.



Purkeys Fleet Electric
Toll Free: 1-800-219-1269
Website: www.purkeysfleetelectric.com

Safety Measurement System Changes

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Safety Measurement System (SMS) quantifies the on-road safety performance and compliance history of motor carriers, to prioritize enforcement resources, determine the safety and compliance problems that a motor carrier may exhibit, and track each motor carrier’s safety. FMCSA designed the SMS expecting that changes would be made as new data, and additional analysis became available. This release is the first in a series of expected improvements to the SMS that will take place periodically.

FMCSA provided a preview period and opportunity to comment for enforcement personnel and motor carriers prior to the implementation of these SMS changes. In March 2012, the Agency announced in the Federal Register a proposed set of SMS modifications. The Agency also developed and released an SMS Preview, allowing a motor carrier to see the impact of the proposed modifications on the carrier’s SMS results in advance of the changes. The Agency collected and analyzed feedback from stakeholders through July 2012, and subsequently announced a package of SMS enhancements in December 2012.

This foundational document updates the June 2012 version of the foundational document and reflects SMS Methodology version 3.0. This updated version includes the final set of enhancements, including the original seven that were previewed as well as the four additional SMS changes that were recommended during the preview period.

The first package of the SMS enhancements includes:

1. Strengthening the Vehicle Maintenance Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Category (BASIC) by incorporating cargo/load securement violations from the Cargo-Related BASIC.
2. Changing the Cargo-Related BASIC to the Hazardous Materials (HM) Compliance BASIC to better identify HM-related safety and compliance problems.
3. Better aligning the SMS with Intermodal Equipment Provider (IEP) regulations.
4. Aligning violations that are included in the SMS with Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) inspection levels by eliminating vehicle violations derived from driver-only inspections and driver violations from vehicle-only inspections.
5. More accurately identifying carriers that transport significant quantities of HM.
6. More accurately identifying carriers involved in transporting passengers.
7. Modifying the SMS display to: 1. Change current terminology, “inconclusive” and “insufficient data,” to fact-based descriptions. 2. Separate crashes with injuries from crashes with fatalities.
8. Removing 1 to 5 mph speeding violations.
9. Lowering the severity weight for speeding violations that do not designate the mph range above the speed limit.
10. Aligning the severity weight of paper and electronic logbook violations. With these changes, all violations related to not having a logbook, electronic or paper, now have a severity weight of 5.
11. Changing

Motor carriers can log in to CSA's SMS Website with your DOT Number to see how the changes implemented may affect you.
http://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/sms/

Christopher Barnett, a technician with Ryder System’s Crittenden, KY, location, was named Grand Champion at the 2012 SuperTech National Technician Skills Competition, held in Pittsburgh, PA, as part of the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) Fall Meeting.

Taking second place in TMCSuperTech2012 was John Ragland, senior global vehicle technician, FedEx Express, Kansas City, MO.

Third place went to Christopher Tate, a Thermo King technician with Mohawk Truck, West Seneca, NY, and a past Grand Champion.

The competitor that achieved the highest score on the written test was Alan Davenport, senior global vehicle technician, FedEx Express, Brentwood, TN.

Christina Haug, a technician with Swift Transportation, Phoenix, AZ, was the first female technician in the history of the TMCSuperTech to advance to the skills station portion of the competition.

Skill station winners:

TMCSuperTech2012 had 17 skills stations, one more than last year. The top ranking technicians at this portion of the competition were:

Electrical: Randy Qualls, technician 3, Walmart Transportation, Waterloo, SC.

Brakes: Timothy Sloan, fleet maintenance technician, FedEx Freight, Indianapolis, IN.

Engine Electronics: Alan Davenport, senior global vehicle technician, FedEx Express, Brentwood, TN.

Engine Hardware: David Berdovich, technician, Ryder System - Supply Chain, Valparaiso, IN.

HVAC: Donald Warman, tech 7, TravelCenters of America, Garland, TX.

Suspension: Robert Gonzalez, technician, Ryder System - Supply Chain, Plant City, FL.

Starting/Charging: Michael Bogart, technician, FedEx Express, Appleton, WI.

Trailer Alignment: Troy Hiatt, fleet maintenance technician, FedEx Freight, Des Moines, IA.

Drivetrain: Jason Kelman, ASE master technician, Navistar, Plover, WI.

Tire and Wheel: David Berdovich, technician, Ryder System - Supply Chain, Valparaiso, IN.

Fifth Wheel: Rudy Laguna, technician, H-E-B Grocery Co., San Antonio, TX. He won this station at TMCSuperTech2011 last year.

Preventive Maintenance Inspection: Mitchell Buelow, fleet maintenance technician, FedEx Freight, Fremont, IN.

Wheel End: David Lewis, ASE master fleet technician, Walmart Transportation, Amelia Court House, VA.

Service Information: Michael Vallery, lead technician, Oak Harbor Freight Lines, Newberg, OR. He won this station in last year’s competition.

Repair Order: Eric Vos, technician, FedEx Express, Boise, ID.

Fasteners: Darrell Duggan, fleet technician, Walmart Transportation, Grantsville, UT.

Safety and Environmental: Gary Shade, mechanic, Con-way Freight, Phoenix, AZ.

Appendix G is a list of defects that would fail the periodic (DOT Annual) inspection. It is the bare minimum that an inspector must check for during the inspection.

Out of Service Criteria is a set of guidelines for enforcement that is published yearly by CVSA (Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance) and helps an officer determine which defects or conditions are such a hazard that the vehicle (or driver) should not be allowed to continue driving (place out of service, red tag)

As far as how they relate to each other, there are some Appendix G defects that are also in the OOS (out of service) criteria but for the most part OOS is more lenient than Appendix G.

For example; Appendix G says a vehicle doesn't pass a DOT Annual if one of the wipers doesn't work. However, in order to be placed out of service the vehicle would have no working wipers and it would also have to be raining or snowing at the time they were stopped.

Now, above both Appendix G and OOS criteria is where CSA vehicle maintenance violations come from. That is FMCSR Part 393 which can result in many violations not included in either Appendix G or OOS criteria.

TMC's 2012 Fall Meeting &
National Technician Skills Competition (TMCSuperTech2012)
David L. Lawrence Convention Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

September 10-13, 2012

Registration

Technician Contestant Registration (PDF) TMCSuperTech2012

Click below to learn more about TMC's National Technician Skills Competition-TMCSuperTech.

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ASE Test Preparation Medium/Heavy Duty Truck Series: T1-T8
ASE Test Preparation Medium/Heavy Duty Truck Series: T1-T8

This updated fourth edition has been completely updated to provide the most current ASE test preparation material for Medium/Heavy Duty Trucks available anywhere. Each book in the series provides valuable preparation for Medium/Heavy Duty Truck Technicians seeking certification in one or more of the ASE Medium/Heavy Duty Truck Technician Certification areas. Readers are afforded scores of opportunities to ascertain their knowledge of critical concepts, through the extensive array of sample problems, ASE-style exams, and competency-specific test questions required for certification by ASE. Refresher materials, helpful test-taking strategies, and thorough explanations round out this comprehensive preparation package.

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Medium-Heavy Duty Truck Technician Certification Test Preparation Manual (ASE Test Prep for Medium/Heavy Duty Truck: Technician Certification)

Written by Don Knowles, author, instructor, and ASE Master Technician, this new text provides an in-depth approach to successful preparation for all eight ASE Medium/Heavy Duty Truck tests. Each of the eight truck tests has a corresponding chapter in the text that contains all of the tasks included in the ASE area, ASE-style questions to test the learner's knowledge of each task, and hints to help solve the questions. Each chapter begins with a pretest to provide the reader with an indication of the amount of study required to pass the ASE test. Answers and the rationale for the answers are provided at the end of each chapter. As in ASE tests, some questions are accompanied by illustrations. The text includes a comprehensive glossary to assist the learner in understanding difficult terms.

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What is ASE?

ASE is The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. ASE was founded in 1972 with a mission of improving the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians. There are over 400,000 professional technicians certified by ASE in over 40 different specialist areas.

What is ASE Certification?

ASE certification is your knowledge and experience combined with voluntary taking and passing an ASE certification test to demonstrate your commitment to your profession. ASE Certification can help with increases in pay and job oppurtunities.


How do I become ASE Medium/Heavy Truck Certified?

To become ASE certified, you must pass at least one ASE exam and have at least two years of related work experience. Technicians that pass T2 - Diesel Engines, T3 - Drive Trains, T4 - Brakes, T5 - Suspension and Steering, T6 - Electrical/Electronic Systems and T7 - Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning tests earn Medium/Heavy Truck Master Technician status. Your certification is valid for five years, after which time you must retest to retain certification, demonstrating that you have kept up with the changing technology in the field.

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ASE Test Preparation Medium/Heavy Duty Truck Series: T1-T8
ASE Test Preparation Medium/Heavy Duty Truck Series: T1-T8

This updated fourth edition has been completely updated to provide the most current ASE test preparation material for Medium/Heavy Duty Trucks available anywhere. Each book in the series provides valuable preparation for Medium/Heavy Duty Truck Technicians seeking certification in one or more of the ASE Medium/Heavy Duty Truck Technician Certification areas. Readers are afforded scores of opportunities to ascertain their knowledge of critical concepts, through the extensive array of sample problems, ASE-style exams, and competency-specific test questions required for certification by ASE. Refresher materials, helpful test-taking strategies, and thorough explanations round out this comprehensive preparation package.

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Medium-Heavy Duty Truck Technician Certification Test Preparation Manual (ASE Test Prep for Medium/Heavy Duty Truck: Technician Certification)

Written by Don Knowles, author, instructor, and ASE Master Technician, this new text provides an in-depth approach to successful preparation for all eight ASE Medium/Heavy Duty Truck tests. Each of the eight truck tests has a corresponding chapter in the text that contains all of the tasks included in the ASE area, ASE-style questions to test the learner's knowledge of each task, and hints to help solve the questions. Each chapter begins with a pretest to provide the reader with an indication of the amount of study required to pass the ASE test. Answers and the rationale for the answers are provided at the end of each chapter. As in ASE tests, some questions are accompanied by illustrations. The text includes a comprehensive glossary to assist the learner in understanding difficult terms.

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CSA maintenance score is a big topic among many fleets right now. To keep a low score you must have a proactive maintenance program and drivers that perfrom pre and post trip inspections.

The Motor Carrier Safety Measurement System (SMS) is a tool used by FMCSA and State partners to evaluate a carrier's safety performance.

Look up your score by using a USDOT#
http://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/sms/

When starting the truck or the truck is idling, the display will show NO A65. This is really reading no abs. Freigthliner uses the number 6 for the letter b and the number 5 for the letter s in the display.

This displays for 2 reason.
1. During ignition the abs module did not have time to report in to the instrument cluster.
"You will not get an abs fault light in this condition"
There is not a problem. The message will go away. The ABS module has not reported to the Instrument Cluster yet.

2. This will display when the abs module has lost power and/or ground or even a bad abs module.
"You will get and abs fault light in this condition"
There is a problem further diagnostics is required.

Two new forum areas have been added to truck mechanic tips.

1. CSA Maintenance Score – this new area is for posting ideas and suggestions on maintenance practices and suggestion for how to lower CSA maintenance scores.

2. Ask a Truck Mechanic – by popular request and www.TruckMechanicTips.com member approval, this new section is for the driver and owner operator that visits the forum to ask our pool of over 550 expert diesel mechanics and part personnel questions regarding truck repair.