Page 6 - DRVC Travelore Winter 2019

Page 6 - DRVC Travelore
continued from page 5
treatment architectures closer together, which allows the turbocharger to work as efficiently as possible while still enabling effective thermal management. The system is being designed to help owners address future challenges with emissions of greenhouse gas carbon dioxide and smog-forming nitrogen oxides.
On October 29,2019, at the North American Commercial Vehicle Show, Cummins showcased a hydrogen fuel cell truck. After all, Cummins is no stranger to fuel cells since it began working on developing its capabilities more than 20 years ago.
At the show, it displayed a heavy truck with fuel cell and battery electric power — suitable for regional haul, urban delivery operations, port drayage, and terminal container handling. Cummins intentionally designed and integrated the truck without collaboration from its truck maker partners so that it could avoid displaying favoritism to any one manufacturer. At present, the demonstration hydro- gen truck has a range of 150 to 250 miles between fill-ups. However, that could be extended with additional hydrogen tanks, by increasing the tank storage pressure or installing additional fuel cells.
Ask Dave, Diesel Technician
It is important to get an oil sample analyzed at each service interval. Why? It can help in diagnosing possible problems that may be lurking unnoticed.
Over the last couple of years, some engine failures have been observed that had a root cause of dirt in the engine. This is often referred to as being “dusted”. These failures resulted in complete overhauling or replacing the engine. An oil sample report can show if dirt is accumulating in the crankcase or circulating through the block. Costs on the repairs have varied from $33,000 to $63,000.
Some service shops, however, are using the dusted term when referring to a dirty air filter with no merit. Fre- quently this has surfaced in the section of the Diesel RV Club’s Forum, Ask Dave.
So, here is some advice. Do not let any work be performed until an oil sample is taken and hand-carried to the owner and sent to an oil testing lab. On at least three occasions,
Cummins’ strategy is to provide customers with a broad portfolio of power options, from diesel and natural gas, hybrids, to battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell solu- tions. Thad Ewald, Vice President, Corporate Strategy at Cummins and leader of the company’s Electrified Power business, said: “In the long-run, the customers we serve will likely need more than one type of power... We are uniquely positioned to help our customers select the right solution for their needs. Our deep technological expertise and global service and support network means we can help them transition from one technology to another at the time that’s best for their business.”
Cummins has made several recent announcements around fuel cells like the acquisition of Hydrogenics, a memo of understanding with Hyundai Motor Company to collabo- rate on hydrogen fuel cell technology in North America and an investment in Loop Energy, a fuel cell electric range extender provider.
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Compiled and edited by Byron Songer using source material from the web sites of Cummins, Compressor Tech2 and RV Pro.
the “dusted” claim was used but turned out to be a misdi- agnosis. Given the pricing above, the total cost of those three repairs could have totaled $147,000. The cost of one sample, the first action in diagnosing issues, is quite economical by comparison. In other words, it’s like an inexpensive second opinion.
For more about oil analysis, refer to “The Importance of Fluid Analysis” in the Fall 2018 issue, number 43, of Trav- elore for more information.
Your online diesel technician available only at the club’s forum