Auto Shift –Alternative

[Bob Belter]

Auto Shift –Alternative
Ahoy, Bus Folk, I have been watching Jim's 'argosy' with his Autoshift.  Finally solved, and simple, once he had the 'epiphany' having to do with gear sets and computer programs.  Jim, I'll bet you have a lot of red marks on your forehead  from back-hand whacks once you figured it out.  (We engineers do these things).  NOW and finally --  the solution is simple!!!  Good job!!!   At least it is a programming / compatibility fault, rather than an Autoshift failing which makes you suspect the tranny.
I would like to install an Autoshift in my Eagle bus.  But, my electronic Cummins M-11 does not include the SAE J-1029 interface connector which is required.  The engine is so good (and was near new) that I'll not remove it and upgrade to a Cummins ISM in order to do the Autoshift.
I decided that a PLC – Programmable Logic Computer  --  would be able to control and 'goose' this engine to achieve synch for each gear in this ten speed Eaton Fuller RoadRanger transmission , letting me then shift without those dramatic sounds which occurred too often.  (People would often wonder how I had ever managed to land a jet on an aircraft carrier)!!!!  The elegant PLC programming was a bit much for me, so  -- an Experimental Aircraft Association associate (and self a bit of help) set up a PLC to do just that.  It works so good that you cannot believe it!!!  Just pull the trigger on the shifter, the engine is 'goosed' to synch rpm, and then drag it into the gear which the display commands.
We thought that this was so good that it would make us perhaps 'not rich, but less poor'.  Offered it to a company in the correct part of the big vehicle business, and they loved it too  -  but not for long.  Turns out that there are very few production line trucks being built now which are not automated in some way, and the programming of this system to individual trucks is too complex for the large varieties of 'big rigs'.
I'd expect that I'm perhaps the only guy out here with an electronic engine (which does NOT have the J-1939connector) and a ten speed transmission.
So---  This shows you what is possible.  Works just great for me.
Enjoy   /s/    bob

[bobofthenorth]

I don't suppose this is an option for my entirely mechanical 8-92 but I'm still curious.  How does your PLC know which gear you are trying to synch?  On my 10-speed for instance, I will often shift 2-3-5-7-8-9.  On the way down I often go 9-7-5.  How do you tell the PLC which gear you want to select?

[Bob Belter]

Ahoy, Bob,

The PLC is given a 'map' which defines which gear the tranny is to be in at each range of road speeds.  The display then commands the gear to shift into.  You MAY be able to do it with a mechanical engine, by putting an actuator on the rack. 

In my case, the engine speed range is such that I'm able to double up-shift -- 1-3-5-7 on level ground.  Going up a hill, one slows too quickly to double.  It is really quite slow shifting going up hills --  My bus is a 'speed bump'.  An 'un-assisted' shift is a little bit quicker.

I'm watching for an additional PLC, power supply, and display as a carried spare.  I've lost what little shifting artistry that I had.  The entire package of items lists at a bit over $1000.  Jim, my associate does NOT want to get into the long distance programming business.

Enjoy   /s/   Bob 

[bobofthenorth]

I had enough trouble learning to make right-handed shifts with a minimum of drama behind me.  I am still in awe that you learned to do that with your left hand.  I'd be checking my ancestry if I was you - there must be some Brit in there.  There's no danger of me wanting to do this.  I'm happy to live vicariously through you engineers who are capable of dreaming and implementing these solutions.  My dream has always been to find a highway tractor with a S60 and Autoshift and transplant that into the frenchy-bus but after watching Jim's trauma over the past year I'm glad I no longer have a shop where I might be tempted to try it.