Peterbilt SmartAir system

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by stark21, Apr 25, 2021.

  1. AlexLia

    AlexLia Bobtail Member

    20
    2
    Oct 6, 2021
    0
    Hello. We're those batteries located? Can someone make a picture of its location?
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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

  3. Goodysnap

    Goodysnap Road Train Member

    3,492
    8,356
    Jul 12, 2017
    0
    The location varies by chassis. Is this for the truck in your profile?

    They are either inside the passenger step or behind the passenger side fairing is a separate battery box on the frame.
     
  4. AlexLia

    AlexLia Bobtail Member

    20
    2
    Oct 6, 2021
    0
    Yes. I drive 2017 Pete 579 with 80 in sleeper and it got smartair.
     
  5. AlexLia

    AlexLia Bobtail Member

    20
    2
    Oct 6, 2021
    0
    Looks like mine is under passenger side. Now need to figure out how to take fairing out)
     
  6. Goodysnap

    Goodysnap Road Train Member

    3,492
    8,356
    Jul 12, 2017
    0
    Remove the six 17mm head bolts and remove the passenger step. Open the hood first as the step goes under the hood at the front. Go to the back of the fairing on the inside top support pipe at the rear above the fuel tank. Remove the 13mm bolt and keyway at the cam lock. On the bottom and the rear remove the 10mm screws holding the lower support bracket. Go to the front and remove the one 13mm head bolt at the lower support step mount for the lower fairing rubber support. Remove the rear cam from the tube and lift the fairing off from the top rear first, up and out.

    Battery box cover bolts should also be 17mm head x4. If they have never been out they will come out hard. spray them liberally with penetrant and apply antisieze going back together. Step bolts too. Stainless hardware and aluminum=corossion
     
    AlexLia Thanks this.
  7. AlexLia

    AlexLia Bobtail Member

    20
    2
    Oct 6, 2021
    0
    Thank you!
     
    Goodysnap Thanks this.
  8. AlexLia

    AlexLia Bobtail Member

    20
    2
    Oct 6, 2021
    0
    Sorry I have more questions for you)
    I finally got there. The problem is in this relay on photo. No voltage after it. If to disconnect power cable from main batteries and then connect it back, relay cliks (close circuit) for a second and opens back even if there is no wire on out contact and engine running. Is it means it is bad? Because if to connect wires together directly, everything in sleeper is working just perfect. Is it safe to connect it without relay for a while?
     

    Attached Files:

  9. Goodysnap

    Goodysnap Road Train Member

    3,492
    8,356
    Jul 12, 2017
    0
    .
    The box is not factory and someone has added it to the system. If you do decide to bypass and connect the chassis/smart air batts together you risk killing all of the batteries and being stranded and in need of a jump start. As long as you have a backup for that, then the decision would be up to you. One could install a simple relay to connect with key on to achieve the same purpose of connecting the banks together when truck is running only. My guess is your factory connections system has been altered.
     
    AlexLia Thanks this.
  10. AlexLia

    AlexLia Bobtail Member

    20
    2
    Oct 6, 2021
    0
    As I see in smart air manual, this relay is factory. It is in wire diagram. As I understand it works like separator for main and aux batteries when truck is not running. And connect them together when engine is running to charge aux batteries.
    I have an auto start in my truck for when main batteries is going low voltage. Truck starts automatically to give em a charge. And last night it was working same as with just fans on but with direct connection between batteries and sleeper heater on. I think to buy new relay when will be back home in couple weeks.
    Thank you for your help.
    I saw you advise some non factory batteries above for this system. Is those are still actual?
     

    Attached Files:

  11. Goodysnap

    Goodysnap Road Train Member

    3,492
    8,356
    Jul 12, 2017
    0
    There are factory relays to isolate the batterys. The factory isolation relays are mounted directly to the batteries and not mounted to the battery box wall.

    What I mean is the box in your photo does not match any factory smart air equipment ever installed on a 579 that I have ever seen come thru the shop. Just beware, the troubleshooting/ testing will not likley match what you have.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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