Last year, Volvo Penta introduced a new start/stop function for its 5- and 7-liter Stage IIIB/Tier 4 Interim industrial engines. And starting in Q4 2014, the innovative feature will also be available on the company’s Stage IV/Tier 4 Final 5-, 8-, 11- and 13-liter engines — with a host of new benefits to increase productivity and prolong engine life.
Designed to shut down the engine during extended idle periods and turn it back on when the operator presses a pedal or pulls a lever, Volvo Penta’s innovative start/stop feature reduces fuel consumption, on-site noise and emissions. Because the feature prevents the engine from running unnecessarily, operators can save between 5 and 15% in fuel costs, depending on the amount of idling done in an application. (The more idling, the greater the fuel savings.)
Updated for the new Stage IV/Tier 4 Final engines, the system provides further benefits for OEMs and end users. Wiring and control units have been replaced with state-of-the-art software for better reliability. A more intuitive cool-down system identifies the optimum time to shut off the engine after it has been running for a long time.
The start/stop feature has also been reconfigured to further lengthen engine life, with an enhanced starter motor and an improved monitor to prioritize stops and starts so that fuel saving is balanced with component wear.
And when an application has to start and stop frequently, it can be difficult keeping the emission aftertreatment system running at an optimal temperature. Too cold and the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology doesn’t work properly. An improved control on the Stage IV/Tier 4 Final start/stop feature keeps the system running at the correct temperature — resulting in lower exhaust emissions.
