Class 8 FE
 

I have recently purchased a 2007 Volvo VNL 780 semi. I've been eccomodding my Hyundai for some time now and am looking at some eccomods for the rig. Tygen1 said there is some of here the own rigs and I am wanting to know who you and what you have done.

Maybe this will help?

i'll my breath lol. i think you spend too much time at work on the internet. lool

Naa, just the lunch hour...then I'm just reading about cars anyway, so it's work related ;)

Anyhow, the point of the article is to show you the potential gains to be had from the different areas.

See this months issue of dieselpower magizine.
Had a few large sections about water and water methanol injecion.

Bruce Mallinson makes a number of points about efficiency (not just extra power) in his articles referenced at his business, PITTSBURGH POWER. Look for a short series on an O/O named A.J.

Also, Kevin Rutherford, in some articles online (he has a paying site).

Truckers Report may have a few tidbits. Use the above names and the topic to search over there. Both men bring up strong responses, so be thorough, IMO.

There are at least a half-dozen threads on this site in re Class 8 FE.

Do a search on www.biglorryblog.com. to see what they're doing across the pond.

I won't scan the Diesel Power article, cause it was way to hard to make the other one small enough to fit. It's the Aug. '11 Issue. The article is no really detailed and they don't seem to make a statement of exact reduction in fuel use. However there graphs clearly show a reduction in fuel use. Like most lab tests, I presume they are showing the best results, so your results may varry. In their advertisements, Snow claims a 6-12% economy gain from their MPG Max system.

You really need to call TS and see if they can get you a tuner that can also deal with your EGR.

You drive your rig well, it has a big head start on the aero front, so I gotta believe there is a good bit to be gained from tuning because your mpg ought to be better than what it is. You should open up a fuel log for this so we can keep track as you rack up the miles.

I'd really like to see what improvements could be made aerodynamic wise. Be nice to see some wheel covers, skirts and close the gap between the cab and trailer.

Here is what his looks like.

They (Volvo) have done a great job with the aerodynamics of there semi's, I wonder if they make a aero tailored trailer, as that trailer could use side skirts with wheel cover panels. That would help with your rig,although chances are you would be picking up and dropping off various trailers. Your rig looks sweet, I like the look of the improved aerodynamics.

a quick idea is too make aerodynamic mirror fairings to flow the air around the mirrors smoothly.

If you own the trailer then you're miles ahead in re add-on aero. If not then maybe a self-imposed 58-mph speed limit is in order. As well as a TRIPAC APU.

I don't own the trailer so that's out. Pittsburgh power makes a muffler for my truck and a system that is suppose to remove the air from the diesel fuel. A performance muffler I know would make a difference. Its not that expensive either only $158. They claim .3 mpg gain. The other part, the air removing system, I am a little skeptical about. After talking with my step-dad who works in the fluid and filter division at Cat, and also has a master degree in chemistry doesn't see that system working as is, although it can be done. Any comments?

As far as slowing down, i usually only run 62-65 mph. I work for an expedited freight company so time is usually an issue. If I slow down to much I would have trouble meeting time deadlines.

If I can stay around 62-63 mph I can get around 6.2-6.5 mpg

http://www.snowperformance.net/produ...on_pdf-134.pdf
The cummins diesel VP endorses it and dieselpower magizine has tested it on and off since 2006.

Nice to see that you have some restrictions in the sense that all is not wide-open, thus any ideas about FE have a narrowed field to work in.

The muffler seems like a no-brainer.

IMO, same for a MANN-HUMMEL centrifuge and trending oil analysis to keep changes to a minimum. MOBIL Delvac 5W-40. See posts by Doug Hilary on www.bobistheoilguy.com; a fleet owner and international trucking consultant going back to the 1960's. He specs a full-flow stainless filter at the standard position. Changes are pushed out a good ways.

Same for tire design: going for rib tires at as many positions as possible. I'd also want a TPMS (tire pressure monitor system) as I hate having to air up tires the last driver "forgot" . . at least it would only be the trailer. Super singles worth looking at. Search for the Rutherford/Mallinson glider kit being sold by a firm in TN, some possible good ideas there.

Same for alignment. I'd want the tractor "perfect" in all small details. Shocks, bushings and especially correct any steering wander.

As to the FASS fuel system it would be worthwhile to duplicate (if not already present) the quality of the dual filter setup. It isn't that expensive. Or, a DAVCO setup (which I like as it makes things simple; Wal-Mart also uses these so you know they've crunched numbers. Shoot, anything they do is probably worthwhile).

What about the ThermoKing APU? Not cheap, but the expedited guys I know are "on" 24/7, waiting around in their trucks. An idea about fuel use over X-time (life of tractor as you see it) would make the numbers clear to payoff on the APU (unless you're in CA a lot). I would figure high-idle fuel consumption at either .75 or .80 gph on the main engine.

Would be worthwhile to look over dash gauges. IAT, EGT and MAP all work together. Air filter restrictions, too (DONALDSON Powercore would be my air filter choice; ask Mallinson); but not changing until necessary would be best (dash gauge).

The lag time of engine oil warming is another topic covered by Hilary: 15-30" behind coolant. I noticed 40-miles or 35" on a heavy 57' I was pulling recently in 90F TX temps. That's a lot of fuel over a years time. Coolant pre-heat would shorten engine oil temp lag time once underway. Hilary likes to see a close relationship between coolant and oil sump temps. There is an SAE paper on that discussed on BITOG.

Plus, tire temps dont' settle out until after 1.5' of steady-state driving.

Plus the usual about progressive shifting. I would think it worthwhile to shoot an email to VOLVO N.A. about their recommendations on this. Might be something they could speak to. I've had a CDL a good while, but I don't even try to compare my ability at shifting to some of the O/O's I've known, some of them ol' guys are plain spooky they're so good.

KENWORTH and CUMMINS both have White Papers on FE that are good reads.

I always like trip planning for two-hour breaks, and a meal at the fourth hour (whether I eat much or not). Pre-planned stops. Breaks the trip into legs with known times & distances. This relieves the small stresses of where to stop, and leaves more room for fine control over the rig.

I like Google street view for determing what side of the road the stop is on, what parking is like, and how easy to re-enter highway from that stop. Steady pace. Just like I already knew the route.

A high quality drivers seat, too. A bad one (fleet seat) just beats a guy up, IMO. This matters well before hour six behind the wheel. FE is about small changes, but the biggest difference among professional drivers is skill, and skill is about paying attention, first, to small things. A tired driver just won't care as we all know. From best to worst is a 30% spread among those drivers: same truck, same work, one-third different fuel consumption.

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Was reading some more last night on Class 8 FE. Came across these:

DEFLECKTOR WHEEL COVERS

The Fleet Air Filter

Microblue Racing Products

And, a retailer of such devices

Truckrfuelmileage

The Microblue site has some interesting stuff on micro-polishing bearings, axle and trans gears, etc. A fairly high claim on friction-reduction. An interesting thread on The Truckers Report entitled: Is 10 MPG Possible with a Fully Loaded (80K gross) 5 Axle Truck? where the above are discussed in light of one O/O's experience.

Since big trucks tend to run 10,000-miles/month, the results can be quick as to calculated effects.

More:

Cummins: White Paper [.pdf] Secrets to Better Fuel Economy

Kenworth: White Paper [.pdf] on Fuel Economy

Fitzgerald Glider Kits

MOLAKULE: SAE Tech Brief: Bulk Oil Temperatures in the Sump verses Coolant Temperatures; A summary.


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Maybe some kind of savings-sharing deal would give the owner incentives to aeromod it.

Rolling Resistance

- Tire size/type & balance
- Wheel bearing friction reduction
- Proper wheel bearing adjustment
- Tire pressure monitoring

A lot of small stuff to consider in re rolling resistance. A search on wheel bearing adjustment shows it may be source of side-to-side temp discrepancies. Too tight is a possibility (improper method; sloppy work).

A product to consider in re wheel/tire balance:

True Balance

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