Super Smart Alternator in 2023 VW Crafter is tamed by Scotty AI at 3,000W DC DC
Title: Enhancing Fuel Efficiency: The Impact of Scotty AI on the Super Smart Alternator in the 2023 VW Crafter
In the latest advancements of automotive technology, the 2023 VW Crafter introduces a remarkable innovation - the integration of a Super Smart Alternator managed by Scotty AI, operating at 3,000W DC DC. This cutting-edge system revolutionizes energy management within the vehicle, optimizing fuel efficiency and performance.
The video accompanying this breakthrough reveals the intricate workings behind this innovation. A coulomb counter meticulously tracks energy flow in and out of the negative starter battery post, providing crucial data for the vehicle's Electronic Control Unit (ECU). The ECU, equipped with precise knowledge of the starter battery's charge level, strategically adjusts the alternator voltage, withholding increases until the battery reaches approximately 70% capacity. Noteworthy is the voltage elevation when the Engine Fuel Injection (EFI) system is inactive.
The journey to perfect this technology began in 2021 with Scotty Ver 1, requiring eight firmware modifications to resolve issues on Euro 6.2 engines. Progressing into 2023, European vehicle manufacturers have introduced further enhancements to amplify fuel savings. This evolution introduces complexities in alternator voltage adjustments, necessitating multiple values and intricate timing considerations by the ECU.
A pivotal development arises when addressing scenarios where the auxiliary battery hovers at float voltage but remains below full capacity. In such instances, high side demand diminishes significantly, posing challenges for standard DC DC operations with newer vehicle ECUs. However, with the aid of Scotty AI, a single firmware revision suffices to fine-tune and rectify this issue.
Scotty AI offers versatile operation modes - "Soft," "Medium," and "Hard" settings during idle periods. Notably, this functionality is a key feature under patent pending status. The video showcases the precise control achieved over alternator voltage, maintaining levels between 12.7 and 14.4V. The intricate methodology behind this control remains undisclosed, reflecting over 300 tuning sessions on smart alternators, meticulous oscilloscope analyses, and extensive field testing.
This groundbreaking technology has been successfully trialed on various 2023 models including VW Amarok, VW T6, Ford Ranger, Isuzu DMAX, LC 300, and Nissan Patrol. As automotive manufacturers strive for marginal enhancements in fuel economy and compliance standards, the adaptive nature of control strategies remains pivotal. The firmware's Over The Air (OTA) capability in Scotty AI ensures swift adaptations to evolving requirements, underscoring its agility and future-proof design.
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Story behind this Video
Application: 4WD, Vans, Motorhomes
Tags: Scotty, AI, Smar Alternator, Euro 6.2 Engine, VW crafter, Sprinter, Ford ranger, VW Amarok, VW transporter, DMAX, Landcruiser, LC300
What is the Problem(s) to be Solved?
Smart Alternators are difficult to extract maximum power from. The alternators are not the root cause of the problem. The vehicle’s ECU is programmed to minimise alternator “on” time to save fuel economy particularly during the assessment tests for vehicle compliance. So the ECU keeps the alternator turned off unless it determines power is needed:
There is a coulomb counter on the negative terminal of the starter battery to read its SOC%.
When this level drops below a % set by the auto-manufacturer, the ECU turns the Smart alternator on.
It may also be turned on when the EFI turns off and the vehicle is then braking or coasting.
However, the 2023 models inspected recently have an added complication. The alternator is also turned on at what appears to be random intervals for an extremely short time. If power is not extracted within a second of coming on, the power extraction opportunity is lost. The alternator stays at 12.7V. The alternators operate at variable voltage around 12.7, 13.2 and 14.4-15.6
How are these Problems Solved?
1) We don’t reveal how we do it. It has taken hundreds of hours of field commissioning to figure out what the secret is to extracting high power continuously.
2) We were blessed with very understanding customers, a sharp oscilloscope, and in the cloud reporting of all the parameters. Quite an investment.
What is Special about how these Problems are Solved?
1) There is auto-tuning for each alternator done by the AI program. So Scotty AI is precisely tuned to the smart alternator. The user simply selects the smart alternator button “yes’ on the auto-tuning page before starting the auto-tuning.
2) Vehicle manufacturers will continue to develop smarter and smarter algorithms for saving fuel, especially during the critical “compliance test” process. So whatever is good today, may not work on future models. Scotty has “over the air” updates from a Smart phone and can be kept easily up to date.
How Good’s That!.
