Enhancing Off-Highway Vehicle Field Testing with the Precisol CAN Data Logger
The off-highway vehicle (OHV) sector, encompassing agricultural machinery, construction equipment, and mining vehicles, operates in some of the most challenging environments on the planet. For manufacturers and fleet operators, ensuring the performance, reliability, and safety of these machines requires rigorous and extensive field testing. This process, however, is often fraught with logistical complexities, data collection challenges, and the high cost of manual data retrieval. This case study explores how a leading OEM leveraged the Precisol CAN data logger to streamline their field-testing protocol, reduce operational costs, and accelerate their product development cycle.
The Challenge: Data Collection in the Field
A customer from the off-highway vehicle industry faced a significant bottleneck in their new tractor development. Their existing method for field testing relied on a cumbersome process: a test engineer had to manually connect a laptop-based data acquisition system to the vehicle's CAN bus, drive the tractor through various test cycles, and then manually offload the data. This approach presented multiple challenges:
- Limited Test Time: The presence of a test engineer was a significant expense. This limited the duration and frequency of tests, particularly in remote agricultural fields.
- Data Inefficiency:The manual process was prone to human error, including incorrect cable connections, missed test cycles, and data corruption.
- Harsh Environments:The existing equipment was not designed to withstand the dust, vibration, and moisture common in field environments. This led to frequent equipment failure and data loss.
- Inadequate Data Scope:The on-board diagnostics (OBD) data captured was insufficient to fully understand the intricate interactions between different electronic control units (ECUs) and external factors like engine load. The company needed a reliable way to capture J1939 protocol data to diagnose issues in real-world scenarios.
This customer needed a solution that was robust, autonomous, and capable of logging comprehensive data without constant supervision. They were specifically looking for a device that could be deployed and left with a non-technical field operator, securely storing data for later analysis.
The Solution: Deploying the Precisol CAN Data Logger
After evaluating several options, our customers choose the Precisol CAN data logger for its unique combination of durability, ease of use, and advanced logging capabilities. The solution was implemented in a three-stage process:
- Simple Hardware Installation: The compact and IP40-rated Precisol CAN Data logger was easily mounted in the test vehicle's cabin using its integrated flange provisions. A simple four-wire connection was made to the tractor's J1939 diagnostic port. The rugged ABS plastic enclosure provided peace of mind, knowing the device could withstand the typical shocks, vibrations, and dust of a farming environment.
- Quick Configuration with PreciCon Software:Before deployment, a technician used the free PreciCon software to configure the logger. They uploaded the vehicle's DBC (Database CAN) file, which enabled the logger capture raw data. This pre-configuration was a major benefit, as it eliminated the need for complex, in-field setup. The technician also configured the logger to automatically begin recording data as soon as the vehicle's ignition was turned on.
- Autonomous Field Testing and Data Retrieval:With the loggers installed, the tractors were distributed to test farms. The devices autonomously logged all J1939 data. The off-highway vehicle CAN data logger securely stored this information on its internal microSD card, with a capacity of up to 32GB, allowing for months of continuous logging.
Results and Benefits
The integration of the Precisol CAN data logger revolutionized this customer's field-testing process, yielding significant and measurable benefits:
- Cost Reduction:By eliminating the need for a dedicated test engineer to be on-site, the company reduced its operational costs by an estimated 70% per test cycle. The logger's reliability also saved money by minimizing equipment replacement costs.
- Enhanced Data Quality and Quantity:The autonomous, continuous logging captured a far greater volume of data than was previously possible. This provided a comprehensive dataset, allowing engineers to identify intermittent issues and long-term performance trends that were previously undetectable. The use of a DBC file ensured all data was contextually rich and immediately actionable.
- Accelerated Development Cycle:The ability to conduct long-term, unsupervised field tests with real-world operators meant that the development cycle was significantly shortened. The company could gather critical feedback on new features and diagnostics much faster, leading to quicker iterations and faster time-to-market.
- Improved Diagnostics and Troubleshooting:Engineers could now perform in-depth analysis of vehicle behavior, correlating CAN bus messages with real-world events. For example, by analyzing J1939 data, they could diagnose issues related to engine speed, torque, and fuel consumption under specific operating conditions, such as tilling on a steep grade.
The Precisol CAN data logger proved to be an invaluable asset for this leading OEM. Its rugged design, autonomous operation, and seamless integration with the J1939 protocol addressed every challenge the company faced. The case study demonstrates that by choosing the right technology, off-highway vehicle manufacturers can transform their field testing from a costly, labor-intensive process into an efficient, data-driven one. This shift not only reduces costs but also accelerates innovation, ensuring that the next generation of off-highway vehicles is more reliable and efficient than ever before.
