Novabus Anti-Idle System

Summary

The device checks a number of safety and comfort considerations and when possible, cycles the engine to reduce idling while keeping cabin temperature comfortable.

Results Now Available

How To Operate

Make sure the vehicle has the engine running in neutral with the parking brake engaged. Leave the engine running with the master switch in the DAY-RUN or NITE-RUN mode. Ensure the maintenance switch is not engaged.

The system will cycle the engine with the configured timings (default is 10 minutes on, 20 minutes off).

If while the vehicle is off, the operator wants the engine to restart, they may press the engine start push button. The anti-idle system will automatically restart the vehicle and resume its normal on-off timings.

If the safety conditions in Conditions To Enable are violated, the anti-idle device will cease operation in the safest manner possible. Typically, this means that if the engine is running it will never shut it down or alternatively if the engine is off will never restart the engine.

Most settings can be remotely update over 4G LTE. Please request changes to rhyse@audesseinc.com.

Upon vehicle power up, the system will spend the first 5 minutes connecting to Audesse servers to check for software updates and will not act. After the boot sequence the device will cycle through the following steps:

  1. Wait 6-10 minutes, attempting to put the engine into high idle if not already done so.
  2. Turn vehicle into NITE-PARK mode, shutting off the engine.
  3. Stay in NITE-PARK for up to 20 minutes. Briefly pressing the start button will trigger an automatic restart sequence for the engine.
  4. Revert master switch to DAY/NITE-RUN mode.
  5. Start the engine.

The aisle light switch has to be left to the ON position for lights to be kept on during the shutdown period.

ALL the following conditions must be met for the system to work. Otherwise, the system will remain inactive and the vehicle will behave like a stock vehicle.

  • Safety
    • Vehicle not moving
    • Parking brake engaged
    • Service brake NOT pressed
    • Maintenance switch NOT engaged
    • Master switch left in DAY-RUN or NITE-RUN mode
  • Vehicle Health
    • No serious tell-tales (RED engine/transmission)
    • Healthy oil pressure.
    • Battery voltage is greater than 23.5V
    • Engine has warmed up
  • Comfort
    • Cabin temperature comfortable (added temperature sensor near driver compartment)

For urgent help, please contact Rhyse Maryniuk:

Rhyse Maryniuk
151 Charles Street West, Suite 199
Kitchener, ON N2G 1H6
Cell: 204-770-8094

Mechanics

Are you a mechanic looking to service the vehicle? Please read this overview to familiarize yourself BEFORE working on the bus.

  • Engine can automatically start and stop

Disable the stop-start system by turning the maintenance switch to the ON position

The system will NOT take action with this switch in the ON position.

If the engine was running when the switch was toggled the stop-start cycle will be paused and will resume with the switch is removed. If the engine was not running when the switch was toggled the system will not function until the engine is manually restarted.

The stop start system works by emulating driver inputs.

The majority of components are installed in the panel to the left of the driver underneath the master switch controls (+CSP). The exceptions being the following:

  • Signal wire run to maintenance switch
  • 24V power run from power distribution above driver. A separate 10A fuse added to rail.
  • A thermistor temperature sensor attached in driver area in upper rear left area.

Master Switch

RUN – Connected in series through normally closed relay.

Allows run signal to be removed, shutting down the engine.

NITE – Connected in parallel through normally open relay.

Allows night lights to be turned on regardless of the switch being in DAY-RUN or NITE-RUN.

High Idle, Push Button Start, and Maintenance Switch

Connected in parallel with the signal side (typically the side that goes to an ECU). This means that either the driver or the device can request/read a change of vehicle state.

Inputs – Maintenance switch is high side drive

Outputs – High Idle and Push Button Start are low side drive

CAN /J1939

The device is connected in parallel with the main J1939 bus using the same splice connectors used by Novabus.

Safety Signal

An independent safety signal is acquired from the parking brake switch. This switch is required to show the parking brake is engaged for the system to be able to shut the vehicle down.

Power & Ground

The power is supplied from the overhead power distribution panel above the driver. It is fused to 10A.

The ground is connected through the common terminal block in the left driver panel area.

Results

Last Updated: Oct 13, 2021

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Sample Data

Performance

Description Value
Buses with Audesse System 2609, 2610, 2611, 2612, 2613
Total In Service Hours Since Install 2,165 hours
Idling Reduced 970 hours, 52% reduction
Fuel Saved 3407 Litres
Engine Wear Reduced “ghost miles” 198,969 Kilometres