The past decade has seen a significant rise in new energy vehicles within the commercial vehicle sector, making new energy garbage truck maintenance an increasingly critical topic. It is not uncommon to come across an EV garbage truck when you take out the trash downstairs, yet few drivers understand how to effectively extend its lifespan through proper care.
To extend the working life of a new energy-compressed garbage truck. We must understand the core components and the common issues that may affect its durability. Tips for new energy garbage truck maintenance related to these core components are as follows.
Table of Contents
1. Battery Maintenance and Care
1) Battery swelling & deformation
For those expert drivers, battery swelling or deformation is a very common yet serious issue. If the voltage remains normal after checking, it suggests that no short circuit is present. And the deformation is the result of thermal runaway caused by overcharging.
Thus, proper charging management is essential to prevent further damage and ensure battery safety and service life. When charging the electric garbage truck, park it in a well-ventilated area with its battery cover open.
2) Electrolyte leakage of New Energy Garbage Truck
Battery electrolyte leakage may pose serious safety risks. And it reduces the working life of a new energy garbage truck.
There are three possible causes that may lead to battery leakage. First, poor sealing between the upper cover. And the bottom case, or cracks in the sealing compound caused by impact, may contribute to leakage. Second, battery leakage may occur at the safety valve. Third, acid leakage may occur at the terminal connection.
To prevent battery leakage of the new energy garbage truck, check the electrolyte level. When the electrolyte is lower than its setting level. Refill distilled water or a dedicated lead-acid battery electrolyte. Do not use drinking water as a substitute.
3) Charging Failure: Possible Issue of New Energy Garbage Truck
Battery charging failure is one of the most common faults, especially in winter. To identify the root cause of the problem, we carry out four possible inspections as listed below.
- First, check the connections in the charging circuit.
- Second, inspect whether the charger is damaged. And make sure whether the charging parameters meet the required specifications.
- Third, check for irreversible sulfation of the battery plates.
- Fourth, inspect whether there is any internal drying inside the battery.
Inspect the battery cables, starting with the connections. When the battery is not used for a long period. We should charge it once every month to maintain battery protection.
After a short-distance operation, recharge the battery on time. And keep it in a charged state, which helps extend the service life of the battery.
2. Controller Maintenance Guidelines
The controller serves as the brain, managing the truck’s battery-to-motor power flow. It has a significant impact on driving safety and vehicle performance. 4 tips for new energy garbage truck maintenance are as follows.
- Controller inspections must be carried out with the power disconnected—a critical safety practice aligned with OSHA’s Lockout/Tagout standards.
- Don’t adjust the contactor wiring. After turning off the ignition switch. Leave minutes for the filter capacitors inside the controller power unit to discharge.
- Clean dust and debris from the controller surface. Never wash capacitor components with water. Cleaning can be performed using a brush or compressed air.
- If a controller malfunction occurs while other components are operating. Check whether the two controller fuses (small 10A / large 160A) have blown.
3. Motor Protection and Maintenance Guidelines
- Don’t start the motor at high speed under no-load conditions.
- Open the ventilation louvers to inspect whether the commutator and carbon brushes are in normal condition.
4. Chassis Mechanical Maintenance and Operation
Inspect the battery cables of the New Energy Garbage Truck, starting with the connections. When the battery is not used for a long period. We should charge it once every month to maintain battery protection.
Chassis operation and maintenance involve many systems. Including the front and rear axles, tires, braking system, and so on. Good practices help extend the service life of an electric garbage truck:
- Maintain proper tire pressure at all times.
- Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir.
- Inspect the tightness of all connection points on the front and rear axles.
- Check for any signs of lubricant leakage at connection points.
Conclusion: New Energy Garbage Truck Maintenance
Extending the service life requires systematic maintenance of its key components. Such as the battery, controller, motor, and chassis. Service life hinges on the coordination of all components. Only regular inspection and system coordination ensure long-term reliability.
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