Freightliner Unveils New Electrical SmartPlex System
Posted in : News | Mar 17, 2011 | Comments 0
Freightliner trucks recently introduced their new Electrical SmartPlex system to be used in their Freightliner 114SD trucks and the Freightliner business class trucks of the M2 platforms. These new electrical systems will provide the manufacturers of truck equipments with a flexibility that is unmatched when configuring trucks to suit the specifications of different body installations.
The product marketing director for Freightliner, T.J. Reed, said that with their new SmartPlex technology, they have focused on giving the TEM’s one of the most reliable and efficient solution which will help to increase the application programming and body integration with ease as well as to keep their customers hassle free as well as working smarter.
The electrical SmartPlex system makes use of Freightliner’s control proprietary modules which connect to the data bus J1939, the TEM equipment as well as the lights controlling power. This new technology also introduces lamp module and flex switch and has a capacity for 24 switches which are located in the overhead compartment.
These can be installed, labeled and programmed by TEM for meeting specific body needs. The plastic inserts which are laser etched with icons are appropriate for the industry and the type of truck is also provided. This allows TEM to just snap the plastic insert into the corresponding switch. The system helps to expand the number of lamps and switches which can be connected to almost 35, including the dash switches, and is a notable increase.
The electrical system can be accessed via the Freightliner software, ServiceLink, which directly communicates with the control modules of the Freightliner proprietary. The ServiceLink also allows the TEM to configure the programming of unique needs, in the comfort of its own facility. This allows it to be traced to the dealers of Freightliner so that the service in the field is eased for the trucks having TEM equipment.
According to the North American division of Daimler Trucks’, chief engineer of mechatronics, Paul Menig, the SmartPlex system will help to expand the computer control system’s capability greatly, by giving it many lamps and switches which can be configured by TEM with ease as well as more computer power having more outputs and inputs for control.
He further said that with the ServiceLink by Freightliner available to TEM’s, they will now be able to program the aforementioned programs themselves, having the assurance that the dealers of Freightliner know how they are configured.
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