Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃

Direct grounding to the battery

Discussion in 'Volvo Forum' started by TheEnglishMan, Apr 20, 2013.

  1. Apr 20, 2013 #1
    TheEnglishMan

    TheEnglishMan Light Load Member

    231
    59
    Oct 3, 2012
    0
    Thinking of direct grounding the block and the transmission(freedomline) to the battery. I have heard that it can make things run so much better. Wondered if anyone has already done this and can report on positive results.
     
    TheEnglishMan, Apr 20, 2013
    TheEnglishMan, Apr 20, 2013
    #1
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Apr 20, 2013 #2
    snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

    19,788
    12,332
    Jul 6, 2009
    0
    i've heard that trucks are positive grounded these days. don't know how much i put faith in the mechanics that said so though.

    but there's tons of ground wires going everywhere already.

    and i would think that the engine would aalready be grounded to the battery. due to the starter motor needing a direct path to the batteries. cuz that's your heaviest drain.
     
    snowwy, Apr 20, 2013
    snowwy, Apr 20, 2013
    #2
  4. Apr 20, 2013 #3
    TheEnglishMan

    TheEnglishMan Light Load Member

    231
    59
    Oct 3, 2012
    0
    From what I understand, the engine is grounded via an earth strap to the chassis. Yes, I believe that there are multipal ground points throughout the truck but all go to the chassis. Direct grounding to the battery gives the electricity the cleanest and least path of resistance in completing the circuit. I have heard it can clean up rough idle and improve overall performance of the engine. In fact improve anything that is electronically controlled.
     
    TheEnglishMan, Apr 20, 2013
    TheEnglishMan, Apr 20, 2013
    #3
  5. Apr 20, 2013 #4
    terrylamar

    terrylamar Road Train Member

    1,023
    368
    Oct 8, 2006
    Austin, TX
    0
    How would one do this? Speak slowly and use small words. Pictures would help.
     
    terrylamar, Apr 20, 2013
    terrylamar, Apr 20, 2013
    #4
  7. Apr 21, 2013 #5
    VisionLogistics

    VisionLogistics Road Train Member

    1,551
    978
    Dec 8, 2011
    Jellystone
    0
    Be careful!! That freedomline uses a voltage doubler to power the brain, and if you smoke it, they are known for blowing the fuse between the two *after* cooking the brain. Don't ask me how I know this. :)

    Replacement cost for the doubler and brain = $5500 not counting labor (you have to drop the trans to get the brain off the top).
     
    VisionLogistics, Apr 21, 2013
    VisionLogistics, Apr 21, 2013
    #5
  8. Apr 21, 2013 #6
    TheEnglishMan

    TheEnglishMan Light Load Member

    231
    59
    Oct 3, 2012
    0
    I was going to run a heavy duty cable, jumper cable size, from the existing engine ground strap anchor point to the negative battery strip. Then find a housing bolt on the transmission and do the same.

    VL, surely the voltage doubler on the freedomline only effects the input voltage to the brain/computer. The transmission is already grounding through the engine, unless it is isolated from the engine which I can't think why or how it would be. So running a cable from a transmission housing bolt to the battery negative strip should not effect anything, other than giving it a cleaner ground point. If my logic is wrong please feel free to set me straight.
     
    TheEnglishMan, Apr 21, 2013
    TheEnglishMan, Apr 21, 2013
    #6
    cetanediesel Thanks this.
  9. Apr 22, 2013 #7
    VisionLogistics

    VisionLogistics Road Train Member

    1,551
    978
    Dec 8, 2011
    Jellystone
    0
    I don't think you're wrong, nope. Just thought I'd mention it since I had to face a large purchase decision due to mine getting fried. Instead of spending $6k on a million mile tranny, I just dropped and swapped for an RTLO-16913A 13 spd manual.

    Good luck with your project, hope it turns out well.
     
    VisionLogistics, Apr 22, 2013
    VisionLogistics, Apr 22, 2013
    #7
  10. Apr 22, 2013 #8
    TheEnglishMan

    TheEnglishMan Light Load Member

    231
    59
    Oct 3, 2012
    0
    Appreciate the info VL. I'll double check with Volvo to be sure that running the direct grounds will not screw things up.
     
    TheEnglishMan, Apr 22, 2013
    TheEnglishMan, Apr 22, 2013
    #8
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.