| Author | Message | ||
| Iver (Mciv)
Registered Member Username: Mciv Post Number: 48 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 70.69.131.252  Rating: |
I have a used Bennett shifter for my Allison 5 spd. Before I install it I wanted to bench test it first. The guy I got it from said he rode in the coach where it was previously installed and it worked fine. He also said it is 12 volt. So I hooked it up to air. (around 65-70 lbs) Set up a 12v battery and grounded the shifter When I tried putting 12v+ to either solenoid, I got no response. No clicking, no air, no movement. There are no markings on the shifter or the up/down solenoids. The solenoids each have 2 wires. One ground and one power. I can move the shaft easily by hand and the contacts for the gear indicators work for each gear. With air and power, it should do something??? How do I tell if it is 12v or 24v? Thanks, Iver.  | ||
| Larry & Lynne Dixon (Larry_d)
Registered Member Username: Larry_d Post Number: 295 Registered: 7-2005 Posted From: 96.253.163.11  Rating: N/A |
If it helps any my shifter is 12v and all else is 24v. Don't know anything about the working of them | ||
| Iver (Mciv)
Registered Member Username: Mciv Post Number: 49 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 70.69.131.252 Rating: N/A |
Does your shifter look like mine? I know the 3, 4, and 5 speed are similar. Thanks, Iver. | ||
| marvin pack (Gomer)
Registered Member Username: Gomer Post Number: 1280 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 71.55.183.81  Rating: N/A |
Iver what coach did it come out of? That will tell the tail whether is is 12v or 24volt. Most MCI's are 24 volts Gomer | ||
| Larry & Lynne Dixon (Larry_d)
Registered Member Username: Larry_d Post Number: 297 Registered: 7-2005 Posted From: 96.253.163.11 Rating: N/A |
Mine looks about like that but has a plate with a window telling the gear it is in and a togale switch to shift gears. It is in a GMC 4905 and three speed. I'm not much help. Larry | ||
| Dirk De Bakker (Kelvin12)
Registered Member Username: Kelvin12 Post Number: 19 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 124.169.2.179  Rating: N/A |
Checked my Stone Bennett shifter, (not using it, opted for cable) but there are no markings on the S/B shifter to indicate voltage either. I would be a little cautions as US stuff seems to vary between 12 and 24 volt. The trans. temperature gauge on my Allison is 12 volt. | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 1069 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.33.43.204 Rating: N/A |
On the unit for a Allison 750 it will have the numbers S-AS-750-01 some have just a V for 24 volts depending on the age where the V is stamped it could have 12 or 24 for volts after the 01 instead of the V clear huh S-AS-750-01-(V) fwiw mine would not shift till above 90psi good luck (Message edited by luvrbus on March 18, 2011) (Message edited by luvrbus on March 18, 2011) | ||
| Iver (Mciv)
Registered Member Username: Mciv Post Number: 50 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 70.69.131.252 Rating: N/A |
I checked with United Transmission Exchange in California. Very helpful people. After much discussion over the phone, and them testing some solenoids they had in stock, and comparing them to mine, we concluded I have 24v solenoids. So I bench tested with 80-90lbs air and 24v supply and everything worked. Now I just need to change my wiring plan a little. Thanks, Iver. | ||
| Bill Gerrie (Bill_gerrie)
Registered Member Username: Bill_gerrie Post Number: 459 Registered: 3-2006 Posted From: 216.198.139.38  Rating: N/A |
Iver I think you are knowledgeable enough to change the diagram to 24 volt shifter. Just use the ignition 24 volt section for the shifter and the 12 volts for the lights. If you had 24 volt lights then you don't need any ignition controled 12 volt relay. All the shifter does is ground the light for each gear selected. Bill | ||
| Iver (Mciv)
Registered Member Username: Mciv Post Number: 51 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 70.69.131.252 Rating: N/A |
Thanks Bill, I was going to email you. Interesting things happen when you assume the information given you is correct. I was told to be careful and only use 12v on the shift solenoids. I'm still using your drawings, just going to change the toggle switch power from 12v to 24v. Thanks again for all your help Iver. | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 1070 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.33.43.204 Rating: N/A |
Iver I found the drawing on how to build the neutral shutdown only if you need those let me know and I'll send those I still have your address good luck | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 1393 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 71.3.72.124  Rating: |
If you do not add wiring to make the shifter automatically shift into neutral when you shut off the engine, make sure you never shut the engine off in gear (or install a neutral start over-ride). Jack | ||
| Bill Gerrie (Bill_gerrie)
Registered Member Username: Bill_gerrie Post Number: 460 Registered: 3-2006 Posted From: 216.198.139.38 Rating: N/A |
Jack When Iver mentioned "I'm still using your drawings" that is exactlly what they are. A system where you cannot shut the engine down unless you are in neutral. You can get awful dirty reaching way in to move the shifter to neutral so you can restart the engine. Jack. Why don't you come to the FMCA G.L.A.S.S. rally in MI? May 26-30. Would be great to see you again. Bill | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 1071 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.33.43.204 Rating: N/A |
S/B has always gotten a bad rap about shutdown in gear was never their fault the feature was always available people just never used it. Once you have a Bennett you will never have a cable with a shift tower makes the Allison shift smooth up or down only way to go huh Bill | ||
| George M. Todd (George_todd)
Registered Member Username: George_todd Post Number: 1198 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 99.172.182.105 Rating: N/A |
From personal bad experience on someone else's coach, DON'T install a shifter without the interlocks to prevent both shutdowns in gear, and starts NOT in neutral. When you start a leaky bus in gear and don't know it until it starts to creep on you because it started in gear, and you have no air to shut it down, and the drive axle brakes aren't well adjusted, you wish the PO had done it right. Not to mention sitting there by yourself for 15 minutes with your foot on the brake pedal waiting for help! G | ||
| Jack Fids (Jack_fids)
Registered Member Username: Jack_fids Post Number: 634 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 72.211.128.245  Rating: N/A |
I had a customer's Van at the shop Neutral safety switch was unhooked no one told me it wasn't standing behind it & hooking up the timing light when it started backward knocked me down pulled me under at next to the last second I yanked the coil wire... if you don't like me or what I write now you know who to blame the Coil wire I am sure it will be more receptive than I am......  Can I BUY that story from you George...? better yet... maybe I can trade you for a 4905 that I am one bullet away from owning....   | ||
| Dave Walker (Chrome_dome)
Registered Member Username: Chrome_dome Post Number: 241 Registered: 3-2010 Posted From: 75.208.14.11  Rating: N/A |
Take the Bullet,Take the Bullet, LOL Chromie | ||
| George Martinez (Foohorse)
Registered Member Username: Foohorse Post Number: 429 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 72.211.128.245  Rating: N/A |
I'm not afraid of his bullets the gun is like the Corvairs. chunks of metalic debris best left to a local musuem or better yet a recycler. besides he knows better then to take me out of the picture, Carrie would not be very happy.  | ||
| Jack Fids (Jack_fids)
Registered Member Username: Jack_fids Post Number: 636 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 72.211.128.245 Rating: |
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| Iver (Mciv)
Registered Member Username: Mciv Post Number: 52 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 70.69.131.252 Rating: N/A |
Thanks for all the warnings and advice. When Clifford originally sent me the manual for the shifter, I thought, no problem, I can install it. Then, after realizing I would need a neutral start and neutral stop, it suddenly became more complicated. I got a neutral switch from Bill, (my trans didn't have one and the previous owner hot wired the starter wiring in the rear junction box so it would start in any gear). Not good. Actually last year when I had the Allison shop install a new modulator cable I asked them to check why the coach would start in any gear. They said they couldn't find the problem. duh! No neutral start switch!!! Oh well, I think I have everything figured out now with the wiring, but I think I will temporarily install the shifter, add some air, and hot wire the solenoids just to see if it will shift gears. Really not sure after bench testing if it is operating as it should. I've never seen one before. Thanks, Iver. |
