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Archive for November, 2019

Truck & Bus Product Email “HGV Trailer Servicing”

November 27th, 2019 Comments off

Truck & Bus Product Focus Email For November is “HGV Trailer Servicing” Featuring aide auto’s TrailerCheck 4 Vans, Code Talk Trailer Diagnostics & ISOCheck.

Van Trailer Check enables a one man quick mobile or workshop trailer service & diagnostics test on; lighting, ABS-EBS-CAN circuits and all air brake systems on trailers in one unit.

• Reduces time to service, inspect or find faults on trailers. • Safer, you’re in control and no smokey, noisy tractor unit up front.

• Makes brake testing a one man job.

• Enables you to fix multiple trailers – earning you more money

N&S Commercial Services in the Vale Of Glamorgan have been using the TrailerCheck 4 Vans for 5 years! With 5 kits within service vans, James Stauber commented; ‘’These 5 Testers are made so well we have not had to repair or replace them In 5 years!”

Midland Trailer Service & Repairs are another user; “TrailerCheck has improved my service and with the diagnostics system I can now offer ECU code reading and clearing, a new service to my customers.”

Stay OCRS compliant Stay compliant and protect your OCRS with Aide Automotive genius products: Code Talk Diagnostics and ISO-Check, save hours finding faults on your trailer.

Code Talk is a world renowned, diagnostics, hand held, fault code reader, for a variety of trailer manufacturers and specifically their ABS/EBS brake systems. Simply plug into the 7638 dedicated EBS Suzy and it will read out and clear any fault codes that the trailer may have. Code Talk can also show live air pressures, wheel speeds, and system voltages which also helps with quick diagnostics. It can also act as a remote to our TrailerCheck and TC products.

ISO-Check visually alerts you if there is a problem with the connection/power from the tractor unit or with your trailers braking system. It works by measuring the voltages on all 7 pins in the dedicated 7638 lead. If all pins are ok the light will glow green, if there is a fault on any pin the light will glow red. As an extra we can make the red light flash a certain number of times to indicate which pin is at fault. e.g. 2 flashes means pin 2 is faulty.

Contact aide automotive for prices or technical support – 0115 8456471

Code Talk Trailer Diagnostics

Truck & Bus Product Focus Email For November is “HGV Trailer Servicing

Brake Caliper Tester & A Customer Profile On TankGuard Fuel Theft Alarm

November 25th, 2019 Comments off

aide automotive’s Monthly News Letter Is Out!

Featuring the NEW PoTesta Brake Caliper Tester & A Customer Profile On TankGuard Fuel Theft Alarm Installation.

PoTesta used to check the potentiometers (wear indicators) in brake calipers and for the determination of the wear of the Truck & Trailer brake disc and brake pads.

TankGuard a Truck Fuel Theft Alarm is being installed At Brian Yeardly International, TankGuard Fuel Theft Alarm is a relatively easy aftermarket installation with the option of adding a second sensor for dual fuel tanks. Go to our website to sign up for the Monthly News Letter Straight to your inbox!

www.aideautomotive.com

 

Stop Truck Fuel Theft

Brake Caliper Tester & Truck Diesel Alarm Feature In November

HGV Brake Testing, Why A Pass Is Not A Pass!

November 19th, 2019 No comments

Operators need to scrutinise and interpret the results of roller brake-testing, and not just rely on seeing the word ‘pass’ on the bottom line of the generated report.

That was a key message from the first of this year’s FTA Transport Manager conferences, which was held at the Haynes Motor Museum in Somerset.

Western area traffic commissioner Kevin Rooney provided the keynote address for the conference, and explained that roller brake testing had been used in the industry for at least 50 years, but was not the be-all and end-all of assessing brake condition.

While the annual test focussed on performance, he pointed out that the Construction & Use Regulations (C&U) which every vehicle had to conform to every day it was on the road were actually stricter. C&U stipulated that every part of the braking system had to be in “good and efficient order”.

“This means it must be to the manufacturer’s standard,” he said. ”A detailed brake test needs to cover every part of the system.

“But unladen testing is meaningless.” He showed the results for a Volvo tractor unit that had been tested unladen. It had passed the test in terms of service brake performance, but the brake on the second axle had locked up having generated only 650 kg of braking force, as there was insufficient weight on the wheels.

“This is not representative,” he said. “During heavy braking, most of the trailer weight will transfer to the tractor, so testing things empty is a waste of time.”

Reputable testers either use loading-beams to transfer force onto the vehicle to simulate a load, or used water-filled intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) or similar to create one.

“Roller testing an unladen vehicle nullifies the inspection,” he warned.

Later in the conference, Phil Lloyd, head of engineering and vehicle standards at FTA (pictured, right), added more detail.

“Operators take false comfort from the word ‘pass’ at the foot of a brake test report,” he said. “It’s a piece of evidence that says everything is alright when really it isn’t.”

Operators were normally required to put every vehicle and trailer through four equally-spaced brake tests, one of which could be the annual test, every 12 months.

“Annual tests and periodic maintenance inspections both have the same objective: making sure the vehicle is in safe, roadworthy condition.”

He warned operators that every line of the printed paper report generated by the brake test should be scrutinised, starting at the top.

“Look for the DTp number at the top of the report. This identifies the vehicle, its specified brake performance, and plated weight. Check it against the number on the vehicle’s plating certificate. If this number is wrong, then the report is worthless.”

It was necessary to understand how the brake tester worked if the results it generated were to be understood. Vehicles were tested one axle at a time, and each wheel was positioned in a pit which contained two driving rollers coated in a high grip material to drive the wheel, and a single sensing roller between and beneath them which sensed the wheel’s rotation.

The wheel was rotated by the driving rollers, with the tyre driving the sensing roller beneath. During the brake test itself, the brake is strongly applied to create resistance between the tyre and the driving rollers, and the sensing roller measures the amount of resistance being offered by the brake in kg force.

Overall brake efficiency is calculated by adding the braking force generated by each wheel and dividing the total by the weight of the vehicle (GVW for rigids, GTW for tractors and TAW for trailers). The resultant figure is then multiplied by 100 to give a percentage efficiency.

However, this calculation can only be meaningful if there is a reasonable force acting on the tested axle to maintain traction between tyres and driving rollers. Each axle should be loaded to between 50 and 65 per cent of its design weight, and the brake tester will measure this.

However, if the axle is not sufficiently laden, then grip will be lost and the wheel locked before maximum efficiency is recorded. The system will record a wheel lock as a pass, but the report will give no indication of the brakes’ actual efficiency.

Mr Lloyd cautions: “If you want a meaningless brake test, put the truck on the rollers unladen and bang the brakes on; if the brakes lock up, then you’ve passed!”

He pointed out other deficiencies with the brake test.

Drum ovality (or rotor run-out in the case of discs) was only tested on the front axle. The test rig picked up variations in braking effort as the wheels rotated slowly with the brakes only marginally applied.

Wheels were each tested individually, but the effort generated on each side of a single axle could show an imbalance of up to 30 per cent and still pass.

“There is a potential issue with steering control under braking at this point,” he said. “It should at least be an advisory.”

He urged operators to take advantage of the data generated by the electronic brake performance monitoring systems fitted on most new trailers.

“It gives an indication of brake performance in real-time and can also indicate braking problems with the towing vehicle,” he said.

More details are contained in the Brake Test Report, published by the FTA last month, and given to each delegate at the conference.

Brian Beacon, director of roller brake testing equipment specialist VL Test Systems (VLT), commented: “VLT always carry out full in-depth training when installing our brake testers, covering the full printout and explanations for each section.

“Our recommendation is that the vehicle/trailer is loaded to 65 per cent minimum for a meaningful test, and if it is not then a warning is shown on the screen and the printout stating ‘insufficient load on axle’.

“We are aware of items that could be improved but to gain DVSA approval for the equipment in automatic mode, we have to follow DVSA rules setting out the full test as it is at present, including the ‘locks rule’.”

He added: “All our brake testers also have different modes whereby the tester can carry out full checks on each wheel or axle including individual brake force, bind, ovality, imbalance etc – and even draw graphs to visually compare these figures.

aide automotive offer the simple tool of a Infra Red Gun for Truck & Trailer Brake Checks.

DVSA Guidance states The Use Of a Temperature Tool Is Good Practice For Commercial Vehicle Maintenance Routines. Extract From Guide to maintaining roadworthiness (11.2018) “The use of brake temperature measurement can improve the effectiveness of a road test and is an established method to assess if individual brakes are operational. Brake disc/drum temperature readings should be compared across an axle after a laden road test or by in-service monitoring, using a brake temperature sensor, which can be a simple handheld device or using a more sophisticated remote monitoring system. Brake temperature readings would need to be well above ambient temperature with relatively consistent readings taken for each brake across an axle. Brakes which are cold (ambient temperature) or showing an inconsistent reading from the brake on the opposite side on the same axle, should be investigated further.” Simple & Hand Held !

Buy A Temperature Gun From aide automotive For Just £15.95 + post & VAT! Buy Online https://bit.ly/33kRGAw

DVSA Brake Tests

HGV Brake Checks With A Temp Gun

Bowmonk BrakeCheck Re Calibration Information

November 15th, 2019 Comments off

Here’s the Latest Information to Keep A Bowmonk BrakeCheck Within Calibration & Good Working Order.

Dear Sir / Madam,

It’s now been 24 months since your BrakeCheck was calibrated, please see below instructions & relating charges for the calibration check.

With all tools in your workshop, you need to know they are working correctly and in test situations supplying the correct information. With this, we advise that your BrakeCheck is re-calibrated.

We will aim to complete the re-calibration of your BrakeCheck within 48-72 hours of receipt of the unit.

Option 1 – BrakeCheck Re-calibration (ONLY)

Price
BrakeCheck Re-calibration – £82.00 per unit
Carriage Options – £6.45 per unit by Signed for Royal Mail Or £9.95 by next day courier. (Not including Ireland)
Also:
New Batteries Are Recommended Every 4-6 Years, if required – £55.00
Need Any Paper For the Printer ? – Box of Paper Rolls – £30.00 If ordered the return carriage would be £14.50

For BrakeCheck recalibration (ONLY), you will need to return the BrakeCheck only. Please note chargers, cases, printers are not required.
It is suggested that you use a royal mail recorded delivery service / special delivery or courier to ensure that the unit(s) reach us safely.

Returns address: –
aide automotive Limited
Service Dept
Foxhall Business Centre
Foxhall Road
Nottingham, NG7 6LH

Option 2 – BrakeCheck recalibration with Service and test

Price
BrakeCheck Re calibration – £82.00 per unit
If your Kit is Older Than 4 years, You May Require & Service & Test – £55.00
Service & Test Checks All Items As preventive Maintenance & Cleaned To A Best Possible Standard

If you have lost or found to be faulty, you may require:
New BrakeCheck Or Printer Charger – £24.95
New BrakeCheck Batteries Are Recommended Every 4-6 Years, if required – £55.00
New Printer Batteries Are Recommended Every 4-6 Years, if required – £14.50
Box of Paper Rolls – £30.00
Return Next Day Courier – £14.50

All prices exclude VAT.

For BrakeCheck recalibration, service & test, you will need to return your BrakeCheck, Case, Printer & Accessories such as Chargers.
It is suggested that you use a royal mail special delivery service or signed for courier to ensure that the unit(s) reach us safely

Returns address: –
aide automotive Limited
Service Dept
Foxhall Business Centre
Foxhall Road
Nottingham, NG7 6LH

Please be so kind as to provide a full postal address so that we can return your tester efficiently!

Payment, once the required work is completed, our accounts dept will email a proforma invoice with options of online payments, card / PayPal / BACS.

If you would like to book your BrakeCheck in, please replay to this email.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call the office on 0115 845 6471.

Many thanks

Office Assistant
aide automotive limited
(Tel) 0115 845 6471
(Fax) 07092 311 470
(e-mail) info@aideautomotive.com
(website) www.aideautomotive.com
(Address) Foxhall Business Centre – Foxhall Road – Nottingham – NG7 6LH

Prices correct as of 31.07.19, Please confirm prices before you return your BrakeCheck.

 

BrakeCheck Bowmonk Calibration

Bowmonk MOT Calibration Check

Trailer Repair Tester & Diagnostics

November 13th, 2019 Comments off

aide automotive offer a range of commercial vehicle (Truck, Trailer & Bus) Repair Tester & Diagnostics.

Trailer Inspections Using TrailerCheck Specialist Truck & Trailer Services Says “TrailerCheck Is A Superb bit of Kit” aide automotive recently supplied a TrailerCheck & Code Talk Diagnostic System to Specialist Truck & Trailer Services Ltd. Owner Charlie is so impressed with the kit he recently Tweeted “Another day on trailer inspections using @aideautomotive van trailer check system. Superb bit of kit”. TrailerCheck has a micro processor controlled circuit board to enable safe trailer testing and power conservation, enabling a engineer to test multiple trailer from single charged battery supply, if using batteries to power the trailer tester a split van charger can be purchased for battery recharging while the travelling, further more mains power options are available. TrailerCheck also has the bonus of a diagnostics interface and REMOTE controller, Code Talk is an aftermarket engineers diagnostic tool, designed by UK trailer maintenance engineers for engineers. Simple to use and operate, Code Talk makes trailer diagnostic maintenance an affordable option to any repairer.

EBS/ABS Sensor and Exciter Ring Tester The SensorMaster is compatible with 90% of applications as standard. It works with any ABS/EBS system made by Knorr Bremse, Haldex or Wabco fitted to any type of commercial vehicle whether it be truck, trailer, bus or coach. The SensorMaster tests for the following causes of sensor related faults: Correct OHMS resistance Open Circuit Short Circuit Pole ring tooth damage Pole ring mis-alignment Sensor gap measurement Lightweight, portable and simple to operate The SensorMaster is supplied with a 1.6m high quality cable and a separate universal adapter for those applications where the standard lead’s termination is not applicable. The EBS / ABS Sensor Tester comes ready to use straight out of the box.

PoTesta (HGV Brake Caliper Tester). This tester is used to check caliper potentiometer readings and to determine the wear status of brake discs and brake pads. Brake discs and brake pads are some of the most important wearing parts on vehicles. Before replacing them it is worth testing them with an automotive Potentiometer Tester. To check the potentiometer simply connect the corresponding cable to the brake potentiometer, power the tester and choose which type you are testing. This can be can be carried out with the caliper installed on the vehicle or with the caliper removed.

Contact aide automotive For Prices & Tech Information – 0115 8456471

Trailer Diagnostic

EBS/ABS Sensor & Exciter Ring Tester SensorMaster is compatible with 90% of applications as standard. It works with any ABS/EBS system / Knorr Bremse, #Haldex or #Wabco fitted to any type of commercial vehicle whether it be #truck, #trailer, #bus or coach

Brake Caliper Tester & Truck Fuel Alarm Feature

November 4th, 2019 Comments off

aide automotive’s Monthly News Letter Is Out!

Featuring the NEW PoTesta Brake Caliper Tester & A Customer Profile On TankGuard Fuel Theft Alarm Installation. PoTesta used to check the potentiometers (wear indicators) in brake calipers and for the determination of the wear of the Truck & Trailer brake disc and brake pads.

TankGuard a Truck Fuel Theft Alarm is being installed At Brian Yeardly International, TankGuard Fuel Theft Alarm is a relatively easy aftermarket installation with the option of adding a second sensor for dual fuel tanks. Go to our website to sign up for the Monthly News Letter Straight to your inbox!

www.aideautomotive.com

Stop Truck Fuel Theft

Brake Caliper Tester & Truck Diesel Alarm Feature In November