High Idle Kit

[stg2500]

I am interested in possibly putting a high idle device in my 2001. 5. What brands are people using? I have read about the solinoid kit in the back of the last issue of the TDR and was wondering how this kit differed from the one that wa advertised earlier in the same issue.



What effect would this have on the engine warranty?



Thanks in advance for the information.

 

[JR2]

I have a practical solutions high idler and so does my Dad. Both units work great and are simple to install. I would highly reccomend it. Whats even better is the owner is a TDR member and they provide some of the best customer service out there.



You can see it at Practical Solutions Diesel



You might also look in to the TSB that gives you ECM controlled high idle.



JR2

 

[JHansen]

I second the Practical Solutions high idler. I have one on my truck and I love it! And it was super easy to put on too...



And as an added benefit you won't find a better guy to deal with than Gordon. When I called him up to order mine, we BS'd for 15 minutes or so about truck stuff-then he offered to mail it out to me that same day if I was going to send him a cheque right away! Never met me before-hey I'm even in another country! I didn't take him up on his generous offer-but I was greatly impressed by it nonetheless.



Jason

 

[fj40charles]

I'll third the comment about Gordon at Practical Solutions. He makes great products at a very reasonable price. I had his boost module (replaced with EZ), but still have his high idler and steel pulley. Great guy to deal with and would HIGHLY recommend for

customer service.



Disclaimer: not associated with Practical Solutions.



Charles

 

[MUDDY]

i too, have the ps high idler. its super. however, the idle kit in the last tdr issue is now made in a 24v version. 35 bucks for the kit sounds reasonable.

 

[David_VT]

Don't forget that there is a software solution from DC which many of us have installed but are waiting for enough cold to see it work. (see David Fritz's post in this forum)



I am surprised that this is not already being installed in newer trucks.

 

[WAYNE]

Practical Solutions!!!!!

 

[fj40charles]

Another nice feature of the high idle kit is the ability to keep your engine running at a higher RPM when you're parked. This will keep the cylinders warm and allow for complete fuel burn. I also use mine to help lower the EGT after driving for some time and I'm ready to park the truck. The ECM does not give you this feature.



Charles

 

[David_VT]

Good point on the cool down

I have the practical solutions kit and have decided to install it, even with the ECM upgrade (if that ever works).

 

[HC]

I got the PS idler and like it a lot. It's much more flexible than the factory ECM reflash, because you can control it, for example, to set higher idle with A/C running in summer.

I mounted mine on the side of the steering column instead of where shown by the directions; this way, the box does not block the view of any of my warning lights.

 

[fj40charles]

HC,



What box are you referring to? I've mounted my high idle box on top of the power panel in the engine bay. The only thing that is mounted on top of the steering column is the switch.



Did they change directions on how to mount this thing?



Charles

 

[Murle]

DITTO on the PS high idler. Would not be without it. I use it all the time on the farm. Works without a hitch. Even if the DC thing works I'll still take the PS any day and will not change over to the DC high idler.

 

[stg2500]

Thanks for all the replies.



The Practical Solutions High Idler seems like the best way to go. what types of connections to the truck are required? Does this affect the DC or Cummins warranty? Are there specific idle settings that can be selected or is it a preset RPM?



Thanks for the help. I think that I will be ordering one soon.

 

[HC]

Originally posted by fj40charles

HC, What box are you referring to? I've mounted my high idle box on top of the power panel in the engine bay. The only thing that is mounted on top of the steering column is the switch.

Did they change directions on how to mount this thing?

Charles,

It sounds like our boxes may be different. Pictures of what I have are found at

http://psdieselproducts.bizland.com/index.html

When I say "box", I mean the control box that is shown in the lower left of the picture in this link. With the current set up, that box is mounted somewhere on the steering column, and the only thing in the engine compartment is the related wiring harness hook-ups. This box is big enough that if mounted per the instructions, it WILL block your view of some of your dash warning lights, or at least it would in my 2001. I mounted just below the turn signal - it is completely out of the way but easily reached.



Other questions that were asked included:



Q: What types of connections to the truck are required?

A: You unplug one connection, and connect up the new harness. No splicing or wire cutting is required. Easy to plug in, and easily removed if desired.

Q: Does this affect the DC or Cummins warranty?

A: By law it shouldn't, but if your dealer wants to make an issue of it, how much money are you willing to spend on lawyers on the principle of the matter? I can understand a dealer not replacing an auto transmission if you had power mods, but any reasonable dealer should not get upset about an idle controller if that is your only modification, so I wouldn't worry about this one.

Q: Are there specific idle settings that can be selected or is it a preset RPM?

A: Fully adjustable via a dial. Range from "off" (factory idle setting) to about 1550 rpm. I normally go for about 1250 rpm.

 

[fj40charles]

HC,



Yours might be different from mine. Mine came with instructions to mount the box on top of the power panel and I do not have a knob on mine to adjust the idle speed. It is preset to something like 1200 RPM. Did Gordon make changes for 2001 model? My truck is a 2000 model.



Charles

 

[HC]

Charles,

Yep, we've got different units, I'm sure of it now. I was reading about the model I believe you have, and it referred to a "micro switch". Mine has a control box, maybe not "huge", but it is not "micro". I'm 99% sure that either PS box would work on both 2000 and 2001 trucks, it's just a "new model" of the PS box.



Most of the time I dial up about 1250 rpm, but I do like having the option of a little more or a little less depending on conditions. If you wanted to upgrade, I'd consider calling Gordon. As a present customer, he might be willing to consider cutting you a special deal. Then again, you might like your present unit better - the switch sounds much more compact, and you just quickly punch one button and go... It's going to be one of those personal preference issues.

 

[fj40charles]

HC,



Thanks for the clarification. I'm just going to leave mine alone. I like just having a single switch. Works for me. .



Charles

 

[yogibear]

PS high idler

fj40, you should call Gordon, I think he has an update for your unit. PS ph# 406-727-5144.

Larry

 

[stg2500]

HC,



Based on your post regarding high idle Cummins still is not recommending idling even at higher idle?



If this is the case, is it even worth the money to put the high idler in the truck?



The main reason that I was considering the installation was for warm ups during the cold mornings here in Southern new England.



I would only run the truck at increased idle for 10 to 15 minutes max so that the neighbors don't get upset.



I already have a neighbor that told me to put a muffler on my stock 2500.

 

[HC]

Originally posted by stg2500

Based on your post regarding high idle Cummins still is not recommending idling even at higher idle? If this is the case, is it even worth the money to put the high idler in the truck?

I posted an answer I got from Cummins at https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=23730

and yes, they said that even with the high idler extending idling is not recommended. On the other hand, in the past Cummins has said higher idling is good and necessary to prevent problems when you must idle for more than a few minutes; Cummins now has a reflash that steps up the idle in cold weather, and many members of the TDR have reported used high idlers successfully.

Since there is some question about it, for purposes of winter warm-up, I would just put it in gear and drive at light throttle. BUT, I still feel the high idler is worth the money, for those times when you need or want to leave the engine running longer. As options go, the high idler is not nearly as expensive as most of our BOMB's, and I really like having one, so to me, yes, it was still worth the money.