Stretched to the limit
Page 10
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/ The self-regulatory nature of speed limiter sealing and callibration could lead to more than 1,000 authorised sealers being set up throughout the country, many of which could be hard put to earn an adequate return on their investment or provide the required level of after-sales service.
As modern speed limiter systems have an input from the tachograph they may also need to be recalibrated and resealed at a tachograph centre.
Control of the list of recognised sealers has been left largely in the hands of the three major suppliers, VDO, Econocruise and Lucas Kienzle which dominate about 90% of the market. Self regulation requires that each supplier monitors the standard of its own sealers.
Anyone who has attended a recognised training course on the system they wish to calibrate and seal and has the appropriate test equipment can be an authorised sealer.
The total parc requiring retrofitment by 31 July 1993, consisting of tractive units and rigid vehicles above 16 tonnes GVW that are plated to draw more than 5 tonnes when laden and first used from 1 January 1988, is estimated at 42,000 vehicles.
Initially speed limiters must restrict the vehicle speed to no more than 60mph although recent EC agreements could reduce this to 56mph. An agreement between European Transport Ministers also means that retrofitment will be required on vehicles down to 12 tonnes within the next two years.
Lucas Kienzle, with an 80% share of the UK tachograph market, claims almost 30% of the OE speed limiter market with the Groeneveld system, but from September will market the state-of-the-art VDO AGB 11 as the Lucas Kienzle RSL 11-speed limiter through its existing tachograph network at a similar price of E421.
The system includes an electronic control module, actuator, wiring harness, Bowden cable, scissor linkage and universal fitting bracket. The control module constantly samples a speed signal from the tachograph and is able to register faults in its memory which can be interrogated at a later stage.
Modern electronics are claimed to be very reliable and most faults are said to arise as a result of the installation. EMC approval means the module is fully compatible with ABS, ASR and EPS fitted by the chassis manufacturer while IP53 environmental standards ensure extended life and reliability. If the system fails the throttle control returns to normal and an optional warning lamp reduces the risk of speeding.
The actuator, designed to give rapid response for smooth speed control, is well proven with more than 200,000 units in use.
O Econocruise has been chosen as the preferred after-sales supplier of speed limiters on all Iveco Ford vehicles.
The company is already the main OE supplier to Volvo, Scania, ERF and Leyland Daf as well as being an on-line option for all other makes except MAN.