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Bowers idle system
- Thread starter rjones
- Start Date
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My thoughts exactly
Any pictures?
This is a picture of it installed on my truck... . sorry, don't have a pic with the cover off. I can get one if needed.
Basically it's a solenoid and bracket you mount by the throttle control. When switched on, it holds the throttle open around 1150rpm.
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Basically it's a solenoid and bracket you mount by the throttle control. When switched on, it holds the throttle open around 1150rpm.
Last edited by a moderator:
Originally posted by AggieJustin
This is a picture of it installed on my truck... . sorry, don't have a pic with the cover off. I can get one if needed.
Basically it's a solenoid and bracket you mount by the throttle control. When switched on, it holds the throttle open around 1150rpm.
Thats a 24v isn't it? I didnt know that they needed them... . Rick
Last edited by a moderator:
The 24V's still need a device to raise the idle. There is a reflash to raise the idle in low temp conditions, but to be able to raise the idle on demand, you have to have an aftermarket device.
Practical Solutions does make a kit as well. But the Bowers kits was half the price and does everything I need it to do.
JM
EDIT: P. S. Sorry, didn't realize that this topic was in the 12V forum. I always read the boards using the 'Read New Topics' option and check out everything. But from what I've seen, the kits are very similar.
Practical Solutions does make a kit as well. But the Bowers kits was half the price and does everything I need it to do.
JM
EDIT: P. S. Sorry, didn't realize that this topic was in the 12V forum. I always read the boards using the 'Read New Topics' option and check out everything. But from what I've seen, the kits are very similar.
Works great on 12V's also
I just added Harold's kit to my 96. What a piece a cake to install. It comes with nice painted bracket that after removing one of the front gear housing bolts the bracket bolts up in that spot. Places the solinoid directly in front of the throttle linkage.
The solinoid is self grounding so only one wire is run in the cab.
Kit comes complete with a lighted switch, all conections and a fused link. A very resonable price.
The solinoid lever is adjustable so you can adjust your high idle from 1000 to 3000. Mine was at 2500 after first install.
Another neat feature I found is when starting very cold (below zero) a very slight throttle pressure makes for a quicker start. I turn on the high idle before hitting starter, truck starts much quicker. My engine idles a few 100 rpms lower when very cold. The high idle is only 900 to 1000 when cold. About perfect for starting.
You have to manually put pressure to move the linkage out of the way before hitting high idle solinoid. It is not strong enough to move the throttle by itself. But onces activated it holds the higher idle just fine.
I added a very small metal switch just behind the steering tilt lever. There is just enough room inside the "steering pod" behind the emergency lights switch and on the side.
jjw
ND
I just added Harold's kit to my 96. What a piece a cake to install. It comes with nice painted bracket that after removing one of the front gear housing bolts the bracket bolts up in that spot. Places the solinoid directly in front of the throttle linkage.
The solinoid is self grounding so only one wire is run in the cab.
Kit comes complete with a lighted switch, all conections and a fused link. A very resonable price.
The solinoid lever is adjustable so you can adjust your high idle from 1000 to 3000. Mine was at 2500 after first install.
Another neat feature I found is when starting very cold (below zero) a very slight throttle pressure makes for a quicker start. I turn on the high idle before hitting starter, truck starts much quicker. My engine idles a few 100 rpms lower when very cold. The high idle is only 900 to 1000 when cold. About perfect for starting.
You have to manually put pressure to move the linkage out of the way before hitting high idle solinoid. It is not strong enough to move the throttle by itself. But onces activated it holds the higher idle just fine.
I added a very small metal switch just behind the steering tilt lever. There is just enough room inside the "steering pod" behind the emergency lights switch and on the side.
jjw
ND
Bowers high idle is good but...
And he gives great service, however the guts popped out of the first one and disappeared on a trip.
No problem, Harold sent me a new one gratis. He also gave me a tip to reduce the likelihood of losing the innards of the second one.
Recently I had to jump on the throttle and the piston came out again, only this time holding the throttle about half open. That was scary. Once I had it shut down I found the piston assy. had popped out again. This time, since I had the part, I JBWelded that puppy in there.
The problem stems from the way the piston assy. is crimped in the cylinder. Nothing that Harold did. Just the way the solenoid comes from the maker.
I recommend JBWelding around the crimp prior to installation on your rig.
HTH
And he gives great service, however the guts popped out of the first one and disappeared on a trip.
No problem, Harold sent me a new one gratis. He also gave me a tip to reduce the likelihood of losing the innards of the second one.
Recently I had to jump on the throttle and the piston came out again, only this time holding the throttle about half open. That was scary. Once I had it shut down I found the piston assy. had popped out again. This time, since I had the part, I JBWelded that puppy in there.
The problem stems from the way the piston assy. is crimped in the cylinder. Nothing that Harold did. Just the way the solenoid comes from the maker.
I recommend JBWelding around the crimp prior to installation on your rig.
HTH
I don't understand how this thing could just fall apart I'm not saying it didn't happen, but hard for me to belive, especially twice? Maybe if I took one apart it would make more sense.
One thing to keep in mind as these units are self grounding, it is important to have a clean surface for a ground. I would suggest you try grounding it with a small piece of wire to another clean ground (clean means no paint, rust, oil, ect... ) Just a thought if you are having electrical issues.
I'm not saying it didn't happen, but hard for me to belive, especially twice? Maybe if I took one apart it would make more sense. One thing to keep in mind as these units are self grounding, it is important to have a clean surface for a ground. I would suggest you try grounding it with a small piece of wire to another clean ground (clean means no paint, rust, oil, ect... ) Just a thought if you are having electrical issues.
Bower's high idle.........
has been on my 24 v for over a year now. works well, without a hitch. nice in the summer to keep the A/C running if "idling", also. seems to cool the turbo faster for shut down with the cold fronts in.
BTW, Harold may be "RV'n and havin' fun", so may not answer the email promptly... .....
has been on my 24 v for over a year now. works well, without a hitch. nice in the summer to keep the A/C running if "idling", also. seems to cool the turbo faster for shut down with the cold fronts in.
BTW, Harold may be "RV'n and havin' fun", so may not answer the email promptly... .....
Originally posted by Cooker
I don't understand how this thing could just fall apart
One thing to keep in mind as these units are self grounding, it is important to have a clean surface for a ground. I would suggest you try grounding it with a small piece of wire to another clean ground (clean means no paint, rust, oil, ect... ) Just a thought if you are having electrical issues.
That's what Im going to do this weekend... . Its a weird situation... Im not knocking it or anything its a great system and I would buy another,but I think the manufacture of the solinoid should use another way of keeping the plunger in the housing... . Rick
It failed again
Maybe Harold will see this.
After I got the piston assy. epoxied in there it worked fine except the idle speed was too high, like 1400 rpm or so.
In cranking down the screw it bound up and froze leaving me with a permanent idle of 1200.
This was on the way to Coeur d'Alene.
It is off now and is unusable.
Maybe Harold will see this.
After I got the piston assy. epoxied in there it worked fine except the idle speed was too high, like 1400 rpm or so.
In cranking down the screw it bound up and froze leaving me with a permanent idle of 1200.
This was on the way to Coeur d'Alene.
It is off now and is unusable.
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Issue 128 – Digital Version
Digital Magazines
FREE!
TDR Test Drive - Digital Edition
Renew
Subscribe
Gift Subscriptions
Back Issues
Subscription Status
Address Change Form
Buyer's Guides
Ram Diagnostic Trouble Codes
The Perfect Collection
The Perfect Collection Vol. II
TSB Updates
Dodge/Cummins Historical Overview
Cameron Collection
What Makes Us Tick?
Product Showcase
Advertising
