how to drive uphills w/5.9 and A545

[bansil]

Afternoon
I am getting ready for a trip with my Skoolie in 2 weeks and have alot of mnt drivning to do
Going up into Boone NC on hy421 there are several very steep sections 12-19% for short distances.
During the summer I had a few issues with temps (engine/tranny not dangerous but still an issue)

After reading and searching I believe I have been driving this combo wrong from the gitgo.

FE 5.9 Turbo with A545 tranny (no lockup)

I keep coming across this type of statement:

Max line pressure 2400 RPM plus

Acceptable full-load engine governed speed

2400-4000 rpm (diesel)
 3200-4000 rpm (gasoline)

Minimum engine idle speed
(with transmission in drive)
500 rpm



I have been keeping RPMS low about 1800/2000 cruising,when approaching a hill apply alittle more throttle and not much happens and temps start to move up, so I back off and just slowdown.

SO my plans have changed and am thinking to use lower gears(manually down shift, tranny doesnt downshift very well on it's own)

say 2nd gear and keep RPM's up about 2500 rpm's

Is the proper way to drive this?

Sorry for long winded post

Any advice would be good (except get a different bus baby steps right now)

[John316]

Bansil (assuming that is your name),

I am sorry I can't help on your driving style. From what I have heard, though, you do want to keep your RPM's up to stay cooler.

Where exactly is this 19% grade? 10-12% is the most I have heard of.

John

[bansil]

Profile fixed

N36* 23.322
W81* 45.520
16%

N36* 23.055
W81* 45.529
24%

There are plenty more on this route I just averaged the route

[John316]

I am VERY impressed. First off, no fair. I thought we were talking about roads, not dirt tracks and trails.

Do you actually take your bus back there? What do you do? Looks like fun, whatever you do.

John

[bansil]

I am VERY impressed. First off, no fair. I thought we were talking about roads, not dirt tracks and trails.

Do you actually take your bus back there? What do you do? Looks like fun, whatever you do.

John

So I take it using the profile mapping on Topo 9.0 doesnt actually follow the road like it shows
I feel better about that now...

so
...back to the original scheduled question (I know it's very steep between Vilas and Boone tho')

[Len Silva]

You definitely want to shift down on those grade.  As it is, you are letting the torque converter do the gear reduction and making a lot of heat.  You want to drive it up a grade so that you still have plenty of throttle under your foot.  2500-2700 sounds about right.

[gus]

The same rules apply to any engine.

Drive at Torque peak RPMs if you want best efficiency and aren't in a hurry in whatever gear that takes without lugging.

If you're in a hurry drive at peak HP in whatever gear that takes without lugging.

Simply put, Torque is pulling power, HP is speed power.

[luvrbus]

Not much he can do about a AT 545 heating without a lockup converter it will heat faster running at high rpm

[garhawk]

Uh, Clifford, would a mister help Bansil's heating problem?

[bansil]

I was actually going to ask about using a mister system on a FE flat nose...might make a mess until it dries, it would only be used a short time 1/2 hr or so

The few electrical connectors can be sealed and I don't think the starter will be an issue with the small amout of water that could get to it.

[gus]

In the mts I use my V730 in first, not locked, at max RPM and never overheats - in fact it runs a lot cooler than when in second.

It won't lock in first.

[opus]

Bansil, I would be calling some school districts in that area and ask their mechanics what they advise.

[bansil]

Opus great obvious idea that I just didnt think about since they drive it every day,thank you

[TomC]

Typical stall rpm on the AT545 is around 1600rpm (you can test this by putting it in drive and with the brakes applied push the accelerator down all the way and see where the rpm stops, then immediately release and let the engine run for another 5 minutes to cool it down).  With a non locking torque converter, the higher rpm you run it, the more close to locking up it gets since the pressure builds with RPM.  I would run it as close to governor on long hills with your pedal about half up.  This should keep the heat down.

Too bad you can't find a 2000 series to put in.  They have up to 6spds with 5th and 6th over drives and with a lockup clutch activating on the upper side of 2nd continuous up to 6th.  If you're going to keep your bus for a few years-it is worth considering. Good Luck, TomC

[TomC]

Gus-if you have a R-N-D-2-1 shifter on the V730, when you pull it into 1st, the torque converter should lock up both on no accelerator pedal and with half pedal. If you floor it, at any speed in 1st the torque converter will come out of lockup.  Good Luck, TomC