High Idle Switch

[kketterling]

When I start my coach and let it warm up a bit before driving off or when bringing in the slides I just let it idle. Should I be hitting the high idle switch and kicking up the RPMs? When should I use the high idle switch?

[Rook]

If you are plugged into external power, regular idle is ok. If not, then any time you are going to put a heavy load on the batteries, then fast idle will help some. Rook

[MaverickBBD]

Shouldn't be a prob. if you continue to leave. Do you shut down and restart before pulling out again?

[Martind4]

We don't have a high idle switch so I use cruise control to kick the idle up to 1000 rpm. My biggest concern is sustained low oil pressure and that's easily cured with a few rpms.

Almost as soon as the engine starts and the Protect Engine light goes off, I set the high idle until we're ready to leave.

[Perry White]

Anytime you sit a Cummins on idle it should be on high idle. unless it is in gear.

[Pusherman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kketterling When I start my coach and let it warm up a bit before driving off or when bringing in the slides I just let it idle. Should I be hitting the high idle switch and kicking up the RPMs? When should I use the high idle switch?

Most always. Diesels shouldn't idle at low rpm's as excess unburnt diesel fuel may wash down the cylinder walls and dilute/contaminate the oil.

High idle is always a good idea, unless you're just idling for a minute or so.

[kketterling]

When I get ready to leave a site I need to run the engine to air up air bags and put in travel mode when air pressure is up turn off the engine pull in slides then start engine and motor out. By the time I hit the highway engine up to temp.

[Craig P.]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perry White Anytime you sit a Cummins on idle it should be on high idle. unless it is in gear.

What RPM do you set your high idle at?

Craig

[Perry White]

High Idle on my ISM is 1000RPM.

[WindsorDave]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig P. What RPM do you set your high idle at? Craig

Craig,

When I turn on the cruise control and then hit "Set" it goes to 1,000 RPM automatically. This is after starting the engine, the transmission in neutral, and the parking brake set. It may be different for different chassis makers, though I've heard others report the same behavior.

Mine's a Roadmaster with a Cummins ISL 370.

FWIW

[Craig P.]

Quote:

Originally Posted by WindsorDave When I turn on the cruise control and then hit "Set" it goes to 1,000 RPM automatically. This is after starting the engine, the transmission in neutral, and the parking brake set.

Same thing happens with my Cat C7. I wasn't sure if it was necessary to increase it or not.

Thanks!

Craig

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rook If you are plugged into external power, regular idle is ok. If not, then any time you are going to put a heavy load on the batteries, then fast idle will help some. Rook

I see you have a CAT, but Cummins says to use high idle if you're going to idle for more than 5 min.

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martind4 We don't have a high idle switch so I use cruise control to kick the idle up to 1000 rpm. My biggest concern is sustained low oil pressure and that's easily cured with a few rpms. Almost as soon as the engine starts and the Protect Engine light goes off, I set the high idle until we're ready to leave.

That is the high idle switch on all the rigs I've seen, whether CAT or Cummins engines and Freightliner or Spartan chassis

[jauguston]

Idle up on my C-7 350hp is controlled by the Freightliner cruise controls on the steering wheel rim.

The only harm you are going to do letting your engine idle is possibly ticking off some tree hugger that believes you are going to kill us all with your nasty air pollution. That "Don't idle your engine" nonsense came from them (-: