Electonic Shifter...

[Iver]

Thanks for all the previous answers regarding the Stone/Bennett shifters.
  But..I am still curious.
Are there only two kinds?  Air and Hydraulic?  I had someone mention an electronic model with linear solenoids or something?? It required a very expensive cable and control unit with relays, bus harness etc.
Can anyone clarify the differences for me please.  Does an air shifter require a multi-wire cable as well.
    Thanks, Iver.

[luvrbus]

Both require a cable nothing special anyone can make one and only has 2 relays 1 for power and one for no shut down of engine in gear.
And the control is easy to build with a 6 dollar toggle switch and LED's if you like a little spice in your life

good luck

[chris4905]

Iver,

I recently changed the 8V71 out of my GMC 4905 and put in a 6V92.  At the same time I figured I'd do the transmission update and I took out the Spicer 4sp and put in an Allison V730.

I bought a used Bennett air shifter (electronically controlled, air operated) from a bus shop.  They had taken this off another transmission and had it sitting at the shop.  My father-in-law built the toggle/LED light control panel so I can't take credit for that.

I am going to try to attached several pictures of the shifter, the control, and I'll also include an electrical schematic of the entire shifting unit.

Hope the pictures help give you an item of what the unit looks like and how it's put together.  It will takes several posts for the pictures, hope nobody minds.

Chris

[chris4905]

More pixs

[chris4905]

More pixs

[chris4905]

More pixs

[chris4905]

More pixs

[chris4905]

More pixs

[chris4905]

And lastly the wiring drawing.

[Iver]

Thanks Chris for all the pictures and the drawing.
They are a great help to understand how the system works.  It looks as though I would need a multi-wired harness to connect the control
unit to the shifter unit. 
          Also, the number of wires I guess would vary depending on the number of gears to shift?
     Iver.

[chris4905]

Iver,

Yes on the harness.  But, my harness is as simple as home make the number of wires needed just running from the control at the drivers panel, back to the engine compartment where they connect to the transmission.  I didn't have the harness when I bought the shifter, we made one up of loose wires and ran it though the bays.

I would imagine, yes the number of wires necessary are partially dictated by the number of shift gears.

Chris

[Iver]

I have seen pictures of two of these units now and neither transmission had a cable running from the throttle/governor to a modulator as I have.
Would this have any affect on the shifter?
       Thanks,  Iver.

[luvrbus]

Iver nothing changes with the modulator it stays the same the Stone/Bennett does not tie into the  modulator air or manual




good luck

[chris4905]

Iver,

luvrbus is right about the modulator.

When I switched from my Spicer manual to the Allison V730 I had to "T" into my air line to the air throttle, and run a line off and to the air modulator on the right side of the V730.  If you look at the attached photo you can see the black plastic air line running down to the modulator right above the air shifter.  The line actually goes into the side of the transmission, and not the air shifter.

Chris

[Iver]

Chris,

Very nice looking setup.  I can't believe how clean everything is.
Do you have one of those anti-grease/oil filters on your camera?
  I think I need one.
    Thanks,  Iver.