Our new Volvo graders got three computers!
One does everything on the engine.
Another takes care of the gearbox.
The third is for the vehicle itself and is master.
They talk to each other by a canbus network.
When u turn the key, the vehicle computer starts, tells the engine to prepare.
When u switch to engine crancing, the engine one klicks the relays and starts the starting prosess. And thats some programe! it registrer temp, fuelpressure, where the engine is on its turn around, regulates injection timings and a lot more.
When the engine starts, and as it crankes, it sends info back to the vehicle comp.
Bet you didn't know that the new engines with common rail or injectors, have to be turned a complete round before they get fuel?
Thats why u feel like u have to turn forever before it starts.
This is because the electronics need a complete round to determine where the engine is on its round.
The old one in the Champion fired as the first piston passed top!
And if u got a Scania, it is programmed so that u have to turn for a number of seconds acording to how cold it is outside.
The colder it gets, the more turning u have to do before it gets fuel!
And much of this is because of the environment regulations, Tier 3, means no more exaust out of the exaust stacks even if its real cold outside.
Scania solves it by turning a lot before injecting fuel, Volvo starts kikking imediately, but lurks around at 400-600 rpm's before it get up the temp.
Turning on the Scania builds temp in the sylinders, so the combustion is right when it fires.
Computers is ok as long as they function. For us it means having a computer and the possibility to solve problems out in the field.
We can't sit in Afghanistan, and wait for a pc guy from Sweden to arrive.