ATech Educator News

Spring Spotlight!!

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 18:59:42 GMT

Powering the Future: Innovation and Expansion in EV Batteries

Author: Jeff Bogue

Teaching Essential EV Systems In Your Classroom

Dive into the future of automotive education by checking out ATech Training Youtube video!!

Upcoming Events

Trade Shows and Conferences

Get Ready!! ATech Training has an exciting lineup of events coming your way in the months ahead! Don't miss the opportunity to learn, connect, and grow with us!

March

3/5/2026-3/8/2026: Vision Hi-Tech Training & Expo: Overland Park Convention Center, Leawood, KS

3/12/2026: MATA: Macomb Community College, Warren, MI

3/13/2026: RMATS: Front Range Community College, Westminster, CO

3/26/2026-3/27/2026: ICAIA: Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL

3/29/2026-4/1/2026: ATEC: Hilton Portland Downtown, Portland, OR

June

6/1/2026-6/5/2026: SkillsUSA: Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA

6/8/2026-6/12/2026: Florida ASE Conference: Orange Technical College - South Campus, Orlando, FL

6/15/2026-6/18/2026: Automotive Educator Conference: Sacramento, CA

July

7/15/2026-7/17/2026: UNOH Instructor Conference: University of Northwestern Ohio, Lima, OH

7/20/2026-7/24/2026: ASE Instructor Conference: Embassy Suites by Hilton Dallas Frisco Hotel & Convention Center, Frisco, TX

Welcome Our Spring Co-Op Students!

ATech is excited to welcome Kylie and to welcome back Noah , students from the University of Cincinnati – College of Engineering and Applied Science , to our engineering team this spring!

Through our Co-Op Program , Kylie and Noah will work closely with our engineering team, gain valuable hands-on experience, and contribute to meaningful, real-world projects.

We’re looking forward to a great semester of learning, collaboration, and innovation.

Welcome aboard, Kylie and Noah!!

Contact Us!

If interested in any of our training or products, please contact us!

If you would like ATech Training to highlight your program on social media or in our next newsletter contact us.

Harvest Highlights

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 15:20:03 GMT

Upcoming Events

Trade Shows and Conferences

Get Ready!! ATech Training has an exciting lineup of events coming your way in the months ahead! Don't miss the opportunity to learn, connect, and grow with us!

October

10/6/2025: GM ASEP: Greek Town Casino, Detroit, MI

10/16/2025: Fall ICAIA: Illinois Central College East Peoria IL

10/17/2025: Fall RMATS: Pikes Peak State College, Colorado Springs, CO

10/18/2025: Fall CAT: Saddleback College, Mission Vjego, CA

December

12/3/2025-12/5/2025: Texas Automobile Dealers Assoc. Auto Tech Competition: Texas Motor Speedway, Forth Worth, TX

12/10/2025-12/12/2025: ACTE: Nashville, TN

January

12/22/2025-12/24/2025: TIEGA Winter Conference: Columbus Technical College, Georgia, GA

ASE Webinars

October 21st, 2025: Fundamentals of Automotive Evaporative Emissions Systems

This online webinar provides a clear and practical introduction to automotive evaporative emissions (EVAP) systems, focusing on their purpose, design, and operation in controlling fuel vapor emissions. Participants will learn about key components—including the charcoal canister, purge valve, vent solenoid, and pressure sensors—along with how these parts work together to meet emissions standards. The session will also cover common diagnostic strategies, OBD-II system monitoring, and real-world troubleshooting tips for identifying leaks and faults.

November 11th, 2025: Automotive Starting System Troubleshooting Essentials

This online webinar explores the fundamentals of diagnosing and repairing automotive starting system issues. Participants will review the function and operation of key components—including the battery, starter motor, solenoid, relays, ignition switch, and related wiring.

ATech Training's Youtube Library!

Explore ATech’s YouTube library to access detailed step-by-step tutorials, quick trainer overviews, and practical tips designed specifically for technicians.

ATech's Classroom Management Program

Discover how the Classroom Management Program (CMP) can improve instruction in your classroom. Check out the video playlist below to see it in action.

If interested in any of our training or products, please contact us!

If you would like ATech Training to highlight your program on social media or in our next newsletter contact us.

Spring into Action!!

bmoore@atechtraining.com (ATech Training) — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 15:10:30 GMT

Stop by ATech Training's Booth at NACAT to see these trainers in action!!

Upcoming Events

Trade Shows and Conferences

Get Ready!! ATech Training has an exciting lineup of events coming your way in the months ahead! Don't miss the opportunity to learn, connect, and grow with us!

June

6/9/2025 - 6/12/2025: NACAT Conference: Detroit, MI

6/10/2025 - 6/12/2025: KDE Kentucky State Automotive Instructor Conference: Southern High School, Louisville, Ky

6/23/2025 - 6/27/2025: SkillsUSA Nationals: Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA

July

7/16/2025 - 7/18/2025: UNOH: University of Northwestern Ohio, Lima, OH

7/21/2025 - 7/24/2025: ASE Conference: Hyatt Regency Gateway Arch, St.Louis, MO

7/29/2025 - 7/30/2025: KyACTE: Galt House, Louisville, KY

ATech's Classroom Management Program

Discover how the Classroom Management Program (CMP) can improve instruction in your classroom. Check out the video playlist below to see it in action.

NKY Chambers Business Impact Awards

ATech Training is honored to receive NKY Chamber of Commerce Business Impact Award Heritage Award which recognizes a business that has demonstrated consistent stability and contributed significantly to the economic development of the Northern Kentucky community. The business has actively provided employment opportunities, remained engaged with the community, and sustained its relevance through both prosperous and challenging times and have been in operation for more than 25 years. This award is true testament to the hard work, passion, and support from an incredible team. Grateful for the recognition from the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce ! Congratulation to all the finalist and winners!

If interested in any of our training or products, please contact us!

If you would like ATech Training to highlight your program on social media or in our next newsletter contact us.

The Engineering End of Year Roundup

bmoore@atechtraining.com (ATech Training) — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 17:01:51 GMT

The automotive industry is an ever-changing landscape of engineering innovation. As always, this atmosphere of change has once again made the attempt to lurch forward. There are multiple changes and challenges coming for automotive technicians in the near future. Some small, some large, and some totally ground-breaking. I won’t be going too far into the technology of some of these innovations as some are not only complicated, but quite difficult to describe. I will, however, do my best.

As a round-up of older developments let’s take a look at these technologies from Nissan, Konigsegg and Liquid Piston that seemed far-fetched only a few years ago.

Seven or eight years ago Nissans developed a variable compression engine that changed the stroke of the piston as needed to alter the performance characteristics. Thus, aiding both performance and fuel economy. When a change in compression is needed, an actuator motor adjusts the pistons position changing the compression from 14:1 (economy) to 8:1 (performance). This engine is now offered in many of their newer vehicles and will be installed in all of their Nissan Murano SUVs in the 2025 model year. It is an engineering marvel that seemed like magic only seven or eight years ago. The engine has proven itself fairly reliable and Nissan is hoping that it will perform as their new standard looking forward. Of course, their engineers are now on to greater things.

Upcoming Events

Trade Shows and Conferences

During the upcoming months ATech Training has multiple events coming up!

February

3/7/2025: TIEGA Winter Conference: Chattahoochee Technical College North Metro Campus, Acworth, GA

March

3/6/2025 - 3/9/2025: Vision Hi-Tech Training & Expo: Overland Park Convention Center, Leawood, KS

3/10/2025 - 3/13/2025: TMC's Transportation Technology Exhibition : Music City Center, Nashville, TN

3/13/2025: MATA Conference: Lansing Community College, Lansing, MI

3/14/2025: RMATS Spring Conference: Casper College, Casper, WY

3/18/2025 - 3/19/2025 : Ohio State SkillsUSA Championship Greater Columbus Convention Center

3/20/2025 - 3/21/2025: ICAIA Conference: Lake County College, Grayslake, IL

3/24/2025 - 3/27/2025: KY SkillsUSA State Leadership Conference: Southern High School, Louisville, KY

April

4/10/2025 - 4/11/2025: NC State SkillsUSA Championship: Greensboro Coliseum Complex, Greensboro, NC

4/13/2025 - 4/16/2025: Tennessee SkillsUSA State Leadership Conference: Chattanooga Convention Center, Chattanooga, TN

4/22/2025 - 4/25/2025: ATMC Conference: Hilton Peachtree City Atlanta Hotel & Conference Center, Peachtree City, GA

4/25/2025 - 4/26/2025: Spring CAT Conference: Solano Community College, Vallejo, CA

ATech's Classroom Management Program

Discover how the Classroom Management Program (CMP) can improve instruction in your classroom. Check out the video playlist below to see it in action.

NKY Business Journal Highlight

ATech was recently highlighted in the November/December edition of NKY Business Journal. During a piece highlighting businesses that have found success in Northern Kentucky for over a decade. Check out the article below!

If interested in any of our training or products, please contact us!

If you would like ATech Training to highlight your lab on social media or in our next newsletter contact us.

Cylinder Deactivation

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 13:11:29 GMT

What's Old Is New...

As Powertrain Control Modules “PCM” became more powerful and faster, VVT “Variable Valve Timing” which alters the timing of valve lift events, was the predominant feature for both power and fuel economy. This held true until the early 2000’s when Diamler introduced ACC “Active Cylinder Control”, Honda introduced VCM “Variable Cylinder Management”, and GM introduce AFM “Active Fuel Management” cylinder deactivation systems. These systems switched off half of the cylinders during low load activity and they worked fairly well. The technology had finally caught up with the desire for better fuel economy and lower emissions. This natural progression continued until it reached the Dynamic Fuel Management or DFM that was available in the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 5.3L and 6.2L V-8 engines. Jordan Lee, GM’s Small Block Chief Engineer, stated that “Dynamic Fuel Management enables only the cylinders needed to deliver the power that you want, delivering the best balance of power and fuel economy”. Compared to the old “Active Fuel Management”, which alternated between eight- and four-cylinder operation, the newer “Dynamic Fuel Management” featured 17 different cylinder operation patterns. This greater diversity mixes cylinder patterns constantly to optimize efficiency and power delivery at all speeds. During testing, the 2019 Silverado with the 5.3L engine operated with fewer than eight cylinders more than 60% of the time, increasing fuel economy by roughly 10% and decreasing emissions.

The new DFM is powered by a sophisticated controller that continuously monitors the throttle position and runs a sequence of calculations to determine how many cylinders are required to meet the drivers requested torque needs. It can make these determinations 80 times per second. As it is being monitored, an electromechanical system deactivates and reactivates all 16 of the engines hydraulic valve lifters, controlling valve actuation. The system uses solenoids to deliver oil pressure to control poets in each of the lifters, which then activates or deactivates the lifters’ latching mechanism. When a cylinder is deactivated, the lifter no longer pushes the valve and prevents it from opening. When the cylinder is reactivated, solenoids send an oil pressure “signal” to the control port on the lifter and a latching pin allowing the normal function of opening and closing to resume.

Being that the DFM has complete control of all eight cylinders, 17 different cylinder patterns to maximize power and torque, the engines are technological beasts. Mounting them to eight- and ten-speed transmissions to further enhance the ability to maintain an RPM in the middle of the power band just seems like overkill. Seriously, this is a great engine in a great vehicle, and I just love technology.

ATech is committed to providing world class instructional equipment and materials to enhance and improve automotive technical education. Check out our new YouTube video and learn how our trainers are made, the type of trainers we produce and how our passionate employees work everyday to improve the automotive education for future generations.

Upcoming Events

Trade Shows and Conferences

During the upcoming months ATech Training has multiple events coming up!

November

11/01/24: Utah Auto Tech, Weber State University Davis Campus, Layton, UT

11/04/24 - 11/10/24: AAPEX SEMA, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV

December

12/04/24 - 12/07/24: ACTE's CareerTech Vision: Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, TX

12/04/24 - 12/07/24: Texas Auto Dealers Competition, Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, TX

ASE Webinar

November 12th, 2024: Exploring Essential Alignment Angles

J oin ATech Training for an in-depth webinar covering the purpose and impact of various alignment angles on tire wear, vehicle handling, and steering. Up your undercar skills with Tony Salas as he utilizes ATech Training’s 500E to explain all your alignment angle questions.

December 10th, 2024: Pull-Up Resistors: Understanding and Teaching Sensor Signals

Join ATech Training for an in-depth webinar covering the function of pull-up resistors in digital circuits and how they are applied in simple applications. Enhance your drivability troubleshooting skills with Tony Salas as he provides a detailed explanation of digital sensor operation using ATech’s state-of-the-art training equipment.

For more information visit the ASE Website!

Need Training??

In-House Training

***Make Sure you receive a confirmation email from ATech Training before scheduling travel***

Upcoming In-House Training Dates

December 10th &11th, 2024

Virtual Training

***Must complete pre-training survey to reserve time slot***

Lab Highlight

Arizona Western College instructor Michael Murphy has designed a great lab to help his students thrive in their Automotive Technology program. Their lab is made up of electrical and automotive trainers, car clips, and real vehicles, following ATech's simple to complex learning strategy. In which you start with basic ideas and build on them as the students advance in their education program.

Take a virtual Tour of Arizona Westerns Lab by visiting: https://www.azwestern.edu/degrees-and-certificates/automotive-technology

If interested in any of our training or products, please contact us!

If you would like ATech Training to highlight your lab on social media or in our next newsletter contact us.

Engines of the Future are Already Here!

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 19:46:09 GMT

I have been dreaming about and studying engines and engine performance of cars, trucks, and motorcycles for the better part of 45 years. It’s a hobby. It keeps me busy on cold winter evenings. It’s something that has become a large part of my life and, like playing with dogs, is something I love to do. I have written about engines and the engineering that is involved in them for the last 15 years, and I have always been forward-thinking. When a new engine is being lauded by the manufacturers as the next big thing, I read all about it and report those findings here. In the past, I have written about every one of the engines in this article at one time or another, and each one was glowingly revealed by the engineers with the statement “We can expect these engines in our cars in the next few years”. Well, a few years have passed and now most of these engines ARE in our cars and trucks and should be reaching repair shops and dealerships now. We just haven’t heard that much about them because people, as a general rule, really don’t care that much about which engine is in their car if it gets good gas mileage, is reasonably reliable, and has a little umph to get on the highway. Well, that is not us. We care. We study it. It’s what we do and why you are where you are reading this article. Without further ado, let us look at the “Engines of the Future” that you can buy (and service) now.

Teaching Essential EV Systems In Your Classroom

Check Out ATech Training's video on "Teaching Essential EV Systems In Your Classroom" featuring Models 5820 Electric Vehicle System and 610N Vehicle System Trainer. This video uses the Electric Vehicle System Trainer (Model 5820) and Vehicle System Trainer (Model 610N) to go over the basic essential instructors need for teaching EV Systems to your students. It also goes over different activities you can do with these trainers.

Upcoming Events

Trade Shows and Conferences

During the upcoming months ATech Training has multiple conferences and trade shows coming up!

02/01/2024 - 02/03/2024....................MACS 2024 Training Event & Trade Show: Rosen Centre Hotel, Orlando, FL

02/28/2024 - 03/03/2024....................Vision: Overland Park Convention Center, Leawood, KS

03/04/2024 - 03/07/2024....................TMC: Ernest N. Mortal Convention Center, New Orleans, LA

03/07/2024 - 03/09/2024....................RMATS: San Juan College, Farmington, NM

03/28/2024 - 03/29/2024....................Illinois State Conference: Buffalo Grove High School, Buffalo Grove, IL

In-House Training

April 2nd & 3rd, 2024

May 21st & 22nd, 2024

August 13th & 14th, 2024

December 10th & 11th, 2024

The start time each morning is 8:00 am and runs until about 4:30 pm.

The training is for two days (up to 16 hours). Training time will count towards ASEEF continuing education requirements. We will provide certificates of training to workshop attendees.

Whether you are new to, or already have, ATech equipment, the goal of this training is to help instructors explore ways to improve their understanding and use of ATech training aids and equipment in the classroom.

If you want to register for a workshop or need more information on local hotels, etc.

Attendees are responsible for travel and hotel accommodations.

Make sure you receive a confirmation email from ATech Training before scheduling travel

Virtual Training Workshop

February 14th, 2024

June 12th, 2024

October 9th, 2024

ATech Training is proud to offer our first-ever Virtual Training Workshop. Sam Houston, our in-house instructor, will explore the key concepts and principles that will enhance your integration of ATech Trainers into your education program.

This will be an open forum training opportunity and will allow for flexibility with your schedule and training needs. During registration, you can indicate which trainer you would like us to cover and your preferred time for participating. We will make every effort to make this a unique training experience. There will be plenty of opportunities for Q&A and discussion throughout the seminar. We encourage you to participate actively and to share your thoughts and ideas with your fellow attendees.

Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate of attendance which can be applied towards your ASEEF continuing education requirements.

If you want to register for a Virtual Training Workshop or need more information

We look forward to seeing you in our online training workshop!

ASE Webinar

February 20th, 2024: Keep The Current Flowing - Low Voltage Battery Trends and Service Updates

Current production vehicles rely on their low-voltage batteries to perform a wide range of functions. Older inspection and service procedures often do not address the needs of today’s battery management systems. Follow along with Jim Wilson as he provides an update on battery identification, inspection, service, and replacement. This discussion of current battery trends will allow you, and your technicians, to stay up to date with the ever-changing low-voltage battery.

March 19th, 2024: Input – Process – Output

Today’s technicians will be faced with internal combustion engines for many more years despite the continual increase in electrical vehicle production. ATech Training will provide details about essential engine control sensors, their operation, and detailed signal analysis. Follow along with Jim Wilson and help you and your technician sharpen their skills when analyzing engine performance issues related to sensor inputs and outputs.

For more information visit the ASE Website!

Quick Start Video Series

Take a look at ATech Training's new Quick Start video series. This series dives into basic information found in the operations manual for each trainer. Allowing students and instructors to follow along more easily when setting up trainers and performing activities .

Contact Us

If interested in any of our training or products, please contact us!

If you would like ATech Training to highlight your lab on social media or in our next newsletter contact us.

Getting Plugged In

Wed, 03 May 2023 17:25:56 GMT

***Reprinted with permission of author***

Check out ATech Training's video series highlighting the new Classroom Management Program. These videos provide step by step instruction on how to operate the CMP!

Congratulations Forsyth Central High School

ATech Training had the opportunity to sponsor a team for the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow competition. This year we had the pleasure of sponsoring a team from Forsyth Central High School. The Forsyth Central High School team won the National Championship this December! Congratulations to all the members of the team. ATech Training is very proud of their hard work and dedication.

ATech Equipment Certificate Winner

Congratulations to Sean Reisdorf on his new ATech Training equipment! He won a $1,000 equipment voucher at the MATA Conference in October and was able to cash it in for some new ATech training equipment for his school, North Farmington High School.

Sean stumbled into auto technology accidentally. He was a retail manager when his car failed to start one day. He had it towed to the dealer where they told him he would have to pay $500 for a new timing belt.

Shortly thereafter, he enrolled into the auto program at Waubonsee Community College. Within a few months, his instructor placed him into a nice garage and his new career began. After finishing his two degrees at WCC, he earned some scholarship money and was admitted into the auto program at Southern Illinois University (Carbondale). After graduating from SIU, he landed his first OEM job and moved to Detroit from 1999 to 2006. In 2005 he realized how cyclical the industry was and enrolled into college again, this time at Ferris State for a degree in education. In his first semester at Ferris, a professor asked him “if he had any idea what it would be like teaching high school auto students”, and Sean replied “How hard could it be?” She then advised him to sit in or sub for a few classes to see if he liked it. He sent in six letters and received six job offers. So, without knowing what he was getting himself into, he took the plunge into high school teaching in 2006 and hasn’t looked back.

He did take a break from high school teaching from 2016 to 2018 to teach dealership technicians but returned to teaching at the high school level (he still teaches for the OEM during the summer months).

He started at North Farmington High School in 2018 with great plans and goals. Then COVID hit and things got delayed.

North Farmington has several ATech trainer including the 1800 series and S.E.T boards. Winning the door prize at the MATA Conference has enabled him to purchase more ATech trainers. Since 2022-2023 is the first school year back to in-person instruction, Sean has again started implementing his plans and goals with the freshmen. He also includes what he can to the other classes he teaches.

If you would like ATech Training to highlight your lab on social media or in our next newsletter contact us!

Upcoming Events

Conferences

June

06/06/2023 - 06/09/23: Florida Automotive Instructor Conference: Orange Technical College, Orlando, FL

06/19/2023 - 06/23/23: Skills USA National Leadership and Skills Co nference: Atlanta, GA

July

07/10/23 - 07/13/23: NACAT Conference: San Jacinto Community College, Pasadena, TX

07/17/23 - 07/20/23: ASE Instructor Conference: Embassy Suites, Concord, NC

07/19/23 - 07/22/23: UNOH Instructor Conferen ce: Lima, OH

August

08/01/23 - 08/03/23: Midwest Teachers of Transportation: Center Lakes College, Brainerd, MN

Come Visit ATech Training's booth at any of these events!!

Free In-house Training Sessions

June 13th and 14th

July 25th and 26th

August 8th and 9th

September 12th and 13th

Start time each morning is 8:00 am and runs until about 4:30 pm.

The training is for two days (up to 16 hours). Training time will count towards NATEF/ASE Education Foundation requirements. We will provide certificates of training to workshop attendees.

If you want to register for a workshop or need more information on local hotels, etc.

***Make sure you receive a confirmation email from ATech Training before scheduling travel***

Save the Date

Quick Start Video Series

Take a look at ATech Training's new Quick Start video series. This series dives into basic information found in the operations manual for each trainer. Allowing students and instructor to follow along easier when setting up trainers and performing activities.

Contact Us

If interested in any of our trainings or products please contact us!

If you would like ATech Training to highlight your lab on social media or in our next newsletter contact us.

The Lightning Cruiser Or Electric Revolution

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 18:57:37 GMT

The world is changing. The Automotive Industry is changing. The Hot Rodding industry is changing...

Wait!!! What!!! Yes, Virginia, the Hot Rod Industry is changing. The days of free range, no holds barred Hot Rodding are slowly shifting. I don’t mean there will no longer be Holly Double Pumpers and Cut-Out Exhausts. These icons will be around far longer than imaginations can see into the future simply because that is our heritage. That is where we came from; Ford Flat Heads, Straight Sixes and Blown 350’s, Wide Rears, Skinny Fronts and Speed Shifters. My significant other says that when I talk about these things I sound like I’m talking dirty, but I’m not. I’m just remembering; adjusting valves on a straight six while it runs, timing lights, vacuum meters and feeler gauges. I still keep these tools around for some reason, but nowadays my car and both motorcycles have PCMs and require very little daily mechanical input like the classics that I have owned in the past. They adjust themselves depending on the altitude and weather on that particular day. That being said, brakes and A/C will always need attention along with steering linkages and suspensions. But even these are becoming more and more linked and controlled by computers. They adjust and compensate in microseconds. So Hot Rod builders are changing too. Laptops and scantools are the norm and are must haves today, but even the engines are changing. Crate engines are no longer exclusively internal combustion.

The electric car is the future, and it's comi ng soon, whether you want it to or not. Traditionally, car enthusiasts are a bit hostile to anything that threatens elements of their passion, and suggesting that the internal combustion engine is a secondary option on a custom is a surefire way to make the typical gearhead question your friendship, not to mention your sanity. Yet, a significant number of enthusiasts seem willing to embrace electric propulsion. This might seem to run counter to their perceived values, except for one thing. Electric vehicles offer some serious forward thrust. That’s it. That's the underlying truth of electric vehicles that’s going to keep car people interested rather than repulsed.

Community colleges and trade schools are continually increasing their offerings regarding electrics, and I regard this as a step in the right direction. Electrics are not going away. Some people, however, continue to be skeptical of electric vehicles. Evidence that electric vehicles offer a better alternative to gas-powered vehicles in some applications seems to be growing, but range anxiety, charging, and cost are just a few of the hurdles that have to be overcome. Making electrics a viable replacement for traditional vehicles is still a ways off, but having powerful electric motors available and relatively affordable for the hobbyist is a giant step in the right direction towards increasing awareness and acceptance. The electric crate motor also gives enthusiasts and builders a new platform to work with which improves knowledge and awareness of electric powertrains across the automotive community. Seeing the possibilities and the work it takes to achieve them is a great way to generate enthusiasm and interest in electric motors. Stepping out of your comfort zone and taking on a project with a completely new component could seem a bit frightening, but seeing the end results at shows like SEMA makes these fears almost seem trivial. As they say “With knowledge comes power”.

Jeff Bogue

Diesel Engine Performance Trainer

Model 650D

NACAT Recap

We enjoyed hosting the NACAT Conference this past August. It was great to get back to in-person instruction for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic. Thanks to everyone who came out and attended. It was an honor getting to host and we are looking forward to next year’s NACAT Conference.

Congratulations Thomas Pipkin!!

Congratulations to Thomas Pipkin for winning the gold medal in the Automotive Service Technology section at the SkillsUSA. Thomas Pipkin is a student at Warren Occupational Tech Center in Lakewood Colorado where he is instructed by Thomas Millard.

;

Good Luck to Thomas Pipkin at the WorldSkills Competition! The 2022 WorldSkills Competition will take place October 12th-17th in Shanghai China.

Upcoming Events

Conferences

10/12/22-10/14/22...............ICAIA Conference: College of Lake County, IL

10/14/22-10/16/22...............CAT Conference: Antelope Valley College, Lancaster, CA

10/17/22-10/19/22...............IAGMASEP Conference: Detroit, Greektown Casino, MI

10/26/22-10/28/22...............MATA Conference: Macomb Community College, MI

11/30/22-12/03/22...............ACTE CareerTech VISION: Las Vegas, LV convention Center, NV

Come visit ATech Training’s booths at any of these events!!

f

Free In-house Training Sessions

11/08/22 & 11/09/22

12/13/22 & 12/14/22

Start time each morning is 8:00 am and runs until about 4:30 pm.

The training is for two days (up to 16 hours). Training time will count towards NATEF/ASE Education Foundation requirements. We will provide certificates of training to workshop attendees.

Contact Us

If interested in any of our trainings or products please contact us.

If you would like ATech Training to highlight your lab on social media or in our next newsletter let us know!

Stay Connected!!

#ATech_Training

@atech_training

2022 Automotive Industry Trends and Predictions

Sun, 27 Feb 2022 19:06:26 GMT

...each new year will bring new challenges.

I think we’re all curious about what this new year will bring us professionally and personally. The pandemic continues to affect every aspect of our lives through supply chain issues, workforce shortages, and justified reluctance to have contact with anyone outside of our immediate families. Will things improve in 2022? Predictions in this uncertain era are impossible to quantify, but we are optimistic in our ability to work inside the parameters forced upon us. However, we can be confident in one thing:the automotive industry will continue to grow in size and complexity, and that each new year will bring new challenges. Predicted trends based on this optimism are the root of the topics presented below.

Online Vehicle Sales:

The pandemic and our somewhat reluctance to physically interact with others have to lead a significant push on online sales, and vehicle and vehicle parts are no exception. Virtual vehicle tours, consumer-friendly “try and buy” return policies, and conventional dealerships offering hybrid sales opportunities are changing how we purchase new and used vehicles.

As for parts sales, my local FLAPS, “Friendly Local Automotive Parts Sales, ” tell me that they see a massive spike in online sales once they offer free, contactless pickup options to their customers. Surprisingly, he said that his commercial clients are also taking advantage of this, requesting that parts be dropped off without physical contact.

With just a little “Googling,” we can see that all of these concerns are being addressed. For example, President Biden’s infrastructure bill projected a $15 billion budget for nationwide charging stations to support EV vehicle implementation. The range is also becoming less of an issue, as many vehicles are now advertising over 400 miles of EV mileage from one charge. In addition, subsidies are in place to support the purchase of EVs, and the new fast-charging stations are keeping charge times much shorter than even a year ago.

So why the long-winded article? Opportunity. Whether you’re a technician at an OE facility, independent shop, or maintain fleet vehicles, offering service on emerging technology systems is an opportunity for you to provide diagnostic and repair on systems your competitor doesn’t provide. The investment in the training and tools to support this is a safe bet, as analysts predict that the above-listed systems are here to stay and will only grow in popularity.

- Micheal Smyth

Upcoming Training at ATech

Our spring dates are set for our free two day trainings.

April 19th and 20th

May 17th and May 18th

June 14th and June 15th

Please let us know if you are interested in attending any of these training days.

Information of the Highway

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 12:29:16 GMT

There was a time when you could troubleshoot a good portion of your automotive issues with a set of wrenches and a vacuum gauge.

As you advance in your studies of vehicles and of the repair processes, you will begin to discover the usefulness of advanced scan tools and manufacturer information. Automotive repair today is awash in a sea of information, and a lot of this information is of utmost importance to properly repair a vehicle to factory specifications. The days of the Chilton’s Auto Repair Manual are gone. No longer is there ONE piece of information to answer all of your questions. I still keep my old Chilton’s Manuals. 1500+ pages of information on every vehicle at your fingertips. Of course, that vehicle has to be at least 55 years old (you never know when that ’60’s Falcon is going to drop into your lap). The Chilton’s/Haynes manuals are still available, but they are vehicle specific these days and don’t really cover the newest models. These are great choices for the shade-tree mechanic wishing to get his hands dirty and save some money. YouTube also has a wealth of information at your fingertips (this is where I learned that my Royal Enfield has two drain plugs for the oil) and watching someone actually do the task you are wishing to do is immeasurably helpful. Engines were simple air pumping machines in the past. They still are, but no longer are they simple and no longer can one piece of information apply to all. Watch a video on giving an engine a tune up from 1942 and that information literally applies to every engine manufactured in a multi-year span. Pretty basic stuff, but diving deeper into an engine that is increasingly controlled by a computer, your information gets more manufacturer specific. Chilton’s/Haynes manuals just don’t go deep enough for some issues.

To narrow down your options on what you need in your modern shop, there are several resources you can use. For OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) one of the best is the NASTF website . The National Automotive Service Task Force offers a huge array or information for OE (original equipment) support. NASTF does not sell anything or offer specific repair information, rather they are a resource to find links to manufacturer websites and services. The information that they offer is free of charge and can connect you with links for specific manufacturers’ services and support and how to subscribe to or join manufacturer programs. NASTF also lobbies on behalf of the independent shop owners. They are a force for weekend technicians and small shop owners nationwide.

Along with NASTF there are a number of other free online resources to keep the modern technician up to date. These include Engine Professional magazine, Motor Magazine, Auto Service Professional magazine and AA1car.com to name just a few. These offer a number of articles every month along with advice, tips and general information, and all of it is free. Online magazines might not be as good as what you can learn in the classroom or hands on, but most are free and they do contain a wealth of information. And please do not forget the sheer volume of videos that you can find on You Tube. A good portion of these can be hard to watch, but every once in a while you will get some guy in India working on exactly your problem on a Royal Enfield motorcycle just like yours.

On a side note: If you get a chance, watch this short WWII video on automotive troubleshooting from 1942. It’s simple information that applied to every engine in 1942. It’s just the thing I wish I had available when I was a kid and demonstrates how to properly use your vacuum and compression gauges. Thank you for reading and keep the wrenches off the floor.

- Jeff Bogue

NACAT 2022 : August 8th - 11th

2022 NACAT Annual Conference & Expo

Registration and additional information will be available in early 2022.

Hotel information is available from the Cincinnati Marriott RiverCenter. Call (859) 261-2900

Electric Vehicles and the Automotive Technician

Wed, 17 Nov 2021 12:35:46 GMT

New vehicles mean new technologies,

new tools to buy, and new skills to learn.

Our industry is an ever-changing animal. New vehicles mean new technologies, new tools to buy, and new skills to learn.

Since the year 2000, when the first Toyota Prius hit the US market, we have all been facing the above-listed challenges for EVs and hybrids. I am willing to assume that a betting man in 2000, with the foresight to see the continuing ramp-up of electric vehicle sales, would have placed money on the automotive diagnostic and repair community to have its collective act together in a few short years, growing our skills and training as these new vehicles grew in popularity and complexity.

Nope. Not even close, and I can speak on this from personal experience.

Luscious Garage techs are trained to be knowledgeable on electric vehicles. They relate to their clients both on their extensive and informative website and the face-to-face interactions. They have invested in training their technicians and the service writers, parts department personnel, and other support staff. Luscious Garage had that vision back in 2007 and has stayed true to it and is reaping the benefits that can only come from meeting the needs and expectations of their customers through training their staff and supporting their personal growth.

Although this example is admirable, it is well within every shop and technician's capabilities to follow suit. Diagnosing and maintaining electric vehicles is no more complicated than our work on conventionally powered vehicles; it is only different. It requires an understanding of high voltage electricity, the components that run the EV drivetrain, and most importantly, the safety equipment and PPE needed to perform the work. Again, nothing complicated. There just has to be an understanding of the need in the marketplace and the desire to acquire the capability to meet this need.

If I had a shop, large or small, I would hope to invest in my staff's training for EVs. Statistics show that new EV sales are growing exponentially every year. Although many are being taken back to the dealership for maintenance past the warranty period, my personal experience shows that this option isn't always successful. Once the warranty period of an electric vehicle expires, an opportunity for an independent shop to promote themselves as an EV capable one could and would reap benefits. This isn't to say that all OE shops struggle as my local dealership does. Still, even if the OE that sold a vehicle has their collective act together, the opportunity for an independent shop remains, as labor rates outside the OEM circle tend to favor the consumer.

Is ADAS the “real” challenge of the automotive industry?

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 14:25:41 GMT

ADAS, or “Advanced Driving Support Systems”

Last month, I was lucky enough to attend the 2021 ATMC conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was very nice to finally attend a Covid-safe training conference that didn’t involve the word “virtual” or “Zoom” and to actually sit across the room from an honest-to-goodness live, breathing individual. The presentations were very informative, and per ATMC’s standard format, the conference agenda included roundtable discussions on various topics.

One of the sessions I chose to attend was a roundtable entitled, “What obstacles are you encountering in addressing the newest technology challenges such as ADAS and Electric Vehicles?” My assumption going into the roundtable was that the majority of the conversation would cover the rapidly growing segment of electric cars and trucks.

I was wrong.

Electric and hybrid electric vehicles were discussed, but almost all of the attendees I spoke, debated and conversed with thought ADAS repair and calibration was an even more significant challenge to today’s shops and techs than EVs.

For those new to ADAS, or “Advanced Driving Support Systems,” ADAS represents vehicular electronic systems that use advanced technologies such as radar, lidar, sonar, and cameras to assist the driver, with many of the assistive controls focusing on safety. ADAS systems are significant players in the current and future autonomous vehicle systems, which are currently classified as follows:

Very cool, and simultaneously very frightening.

Supporting these different levels of automation are the ADAS systems. For example, the electronic controls of a light passenger vehicle or large truck need to effectively and safely direct the vehicle inputs of starting, stopping, and turning under an autonomous driving condition. These controls obviously need to sense the ever-changing surroundings of the vehicle they are controlling, and those systems are classified as ADAS.

Getting back to the ATMC roundtable discussion, I had the great pleasure of speaking to guys and gals from all automotive industry segments. Everyone agreed that we are struggling as a unit to maintain and calibrate ADAS systems. This is in regard to both OEM and aftermarket technicians and repair facilities, and some of the challenges may not be as apparent as you may think.

After a major collision, it is apparent that vehicle ADAS sensors need to be calibrated back into specifications for the autonomous systems to work correctly, but what about lesser scenarios? Simple tasks such as replacing a windshield with non-OEM glass can affect high windshield mount sensors. Likewise, a “bumper tap” can misalign those low-mounted proximity sensors. What about replacing structural parts such as a radiator bracket or headlight surround with an ADAS sensor attached to it? As I have described them, each of these requires a calibration of the ADAS system before the vehicle is released back into the hands of its owner. Understanding fully that multiple situations REQUIRE sensor calibration is the first step in overcoming the ADAS challenge.

I don’t want all the doom and gloom of this article to turn anyone against autonomous systems. If designed and maintained correctly, ADAS has the capability of making our highways safer than they’ve ever been by taking the fail-ability of the human interaction partially or totally out of the formula.

Back to the premise of my article title.

Before the conference, I thought that the training of automotive technicians on electric and hybrid electric vehicles was our most daunting challenge, and it is still up there in the top two or three. But, as many of my peers also believe, ADAS diagnostic and repair training and guidelines need to be at the forefront of our efforts. Having non or incorrectly calibrated vehicles on today’s roadways and the related lack of autonomous safety systems to work correctly could cause governmental regulation to be implemented, something no one wants to see happen. So this is an opportunity to be proactive and show that we can self-police, setting industry training guidelines and parameters that parallel the growing ADAS technology. As the media overinflation of electric vehicle fires has shown, an accident caused by a failed autonomous system with a root cause of an incorrectly calibrated sensor can bring the wrong type of attention to the repair community.

- Micheal Smyth

Foundational Skills: Do you have them?

Tue, 21 Sep 2021 12:14:09 GMT

I was lucky to grow up in a time before...

And then I went through my electrical phase. How many of you children of the seventies remember Heathkit? For those not in the know, Heathkit sold kits to build something as simple as a breadboard beeper or as complex as a television. My father, a very patient man, steered me in this direction after I had disassembled my new cassette recorder on Christmas morning in an attempt to hook it up to our home stereo. My first kit was a simple crystal radio, but it got me hooked. That simple kit morphed into a birthday gift of an electricity educational system where spring-loaded terminals and leads could be connected to build hundreds of different systems that not only were fun but taught electrical theory along the way.

A few years ago, my work at West Virginia University’s National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium took me to automotive technical colleges around the nation, and I still have great friends in that industry. Anytime we discussed the state of their programs, the conversation always circled to the successes and failures of their current student enrollees. However, one statement always stuck with me. A department head from a school in the Midwest stated, “I love it when a farm kid enrolls. They’ve spent their life working on equipment and understand how to use tools effectively and understand electrical systems.” This same midwest school was in the process of developing an introduction to tools and electricity class for new enrollees, as many students entering their automotive program couldn’t use essential hand tools correctly and barely knew the difference between AC and DC circuits. Some get these necessary skills organically; others need them to be taught.

The issue of understanding basic electrical is not solely a challenge for just the new automotive student. Techs that have been in the industry for years sometimes struggle with effective electronic diagnostic capabilities not because they aren’t capable of grasping the theories but rather that they just have not had the opportunity or drive to seek out the training. For those of you in the industry, how often have you seen someone continually throw parts at an electrical gremlin only to find out that the issue was just a fundamental ground or something a voltage drop test would have discovered? How will this tech effectively work with ADAS and electric vehicles if they cannot correctly use a DVOM? Quality training on automotive diagnostics is essential for the new and established tech. Each and every one of us can always learn more and help us perform our jobs better and have more self-fulfilling results at the end of the day.

One of the things I got excited about when the folks at ATech asked about the articles I’ll be writing for them is the opportunity to discuss the importance of foundational skills. Unfortunately, not everyone was lucky enough to grow up with low expectations and access to a well-stocked tool shed as I did. If not acquired before enrollment in a trade school or employment, these basic skills will need to be developed in school or on the job. Perhaps one of our most significant challenges as an industry will be to establish the opportunity for automotive personnel to access this foundational training without bruising their ego. No one wants to be the person in the class who raises their hand when something isn’t understood, but we will continue to spin our educational wheels without such an opportunity.

I brought up HeathKit earlier for a reason. Training organizations are building the modern-day version of electric HeathKit trainers that educate on the key skills that new and established techs may be missing, including the three fundamentals of measuring electricity, voltage, amps, and resistance. Understanding these three and how they relate to each other is the first step in effective electrical system diagnostics. Perhaps a broader use of these tools can circumvent the ego, as mentioned in the earlier challenge. I hear from automotive colleges and training organizations that practical education exercises need to start with training tools, then move into on-vehicle diagnostics for the best, well-rounded pathway to acquiring this critical skill.

How Many Gears Before The Gear Head Spins?

Fri, 14 May 2021 12:36:09 GMT

so shall we try to demystify the automatic transmission/transaxle...

Ok, I have to admit, my understanding of the inner workings of a modern automatic transmission is akin to a frog watching TV. I see what it does. Understand it? Not really. The sheer number of moving and rotating parts is almost incomprehensible. As they say, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”, so shall we try to demystify the automatic transmission/transaxle. The transaxle generally refers to front wheel drive vehicles, with the transmission and axle built into one housing, while transmission generally refers to front engine rear wheel drive vehicles. For simplicity I will use the term transmission for both.

In the modern drivetrain that pushes our vehicles down the road, the engine and transmission work together as one, but they are two very different things. Your engine connects to the transmission inside the “Bell Housing”. Inside the bell housing is the torque converter. In a manual transmission the clutch is used to couple the engine to the transmission. In the modern automatic transmission, the torque converter is used to couple the engine and transmission together.

The valve body and its maze of oil journals, tiny springs and valves control those bands and clutches via hydraulic solenoids. Their purpose is to either couple things together, decouple them, or hold them stationary. Bands can grab the outside Ring gears on the multiple Planetary Gear sets to let the Sun gears and Planet gears drive the vehicle, and the clutches can grab the Sun gears and Planet gears to either couple them together or hold them stationary. The solenoids are controlled by numerous inputs including the PRNDL switch, the gas pedal, etc. A computer takes all of these inputs and activates the appropriate band and/or clutch to set the transmission into the proper gear ratio for the gear your automobile needs to do its job efficiently.

If you watch this video, you will have a better understanding of how the multiple planetary gear sets work together. It too is from 1953, has the same license, and is equally informative.

Now that we have a simple understanding of how the modern transmission works to give us all of those gear ratios, we can look at what is coming up around the corner. The commonality of the eight speed transmission has become old hat. The ten speed transmission has been out for a few years now and has proven itself reliable. The first vehicle to receive the ten speed transmission was the 400 horsepower Ford Raptor back in 2017, and it has trickled down to other light duty trucks and high end sports cars. This new transmission was developed as a joint venture of both Ford and GM engineers. The ten speed transmission has six forward under drive ratios (the input turns faster that the output), a direct drive ratio and three over drive ratios (the output turns faster than the input). Inside the ten speed transmission there are four planetary gear sets and six shift elements. Of these six shift elements, two are brakes (bands for the ring gears) and four are clutches to couple and decouple the Suns and Planet gears. All of this technological wizardry allows high horsepower engines to stay at their optimal RPM, or power band, for both fuel economy and power (or incredible acceleration and ridiculous top speed). To go beyond the ten speed transmission would require yet another planetary gear set. Both Ford and Honda have registered patents for an eleven speed transmission and are expected to release details in the coming years. The advantages of an extra gear are being weighed against costs and reliability. When will it end? Not really sure. Is it all worth it? Not really sure. Are they going to be reliable? Only time will tell. The ten speed has already proven itself as a fuel economy partner and a marvel at keeping engines at that perfect RPM for every task in both trucks and cars. How many gears does a truck really need? That is a point of discussion.

Jeff Bogue

Tool & Equipment Funding

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 18:18:09 GMT

Does your program have old, worn out equipment?

Do you wish to purchase additional tools for instruction? Are you repeatedly informed by your administration they “do not have money” for any of these? Whether you are an instructor new to automotive education or a veteran, here are some tips which may provide some insight for acquiring additional funding.

Through the years of networking with schools, instructors and education professionals, difficulties in funding for tools, equipment and training aids, particularly in Automotive Training, appear common. Maybe it should be re-phrased, the “lack of funding” for these items.

Gone are the days where as a teacher, you could show up 15 minutes before the opening bell for the day and leave 45 minutes after school lets out for students. A seemingly never-ending list of tasks from your administration, along with the educational compliance requirements across the board, have added significantly to your work day! So, when I say the path for finding extra money comes with a price, that price will be you spending even more of your non-teaching time on this trek. However, unlike other non-teaching related tasks you now must perform, this one comes with the satisfaction of getting new stuff to teach with!New Paragraph

Meeting Minutes:

List all members in attendance. Include names and areas of representation. (i.e. John Doe: xyz Ford, or Jane Smith: xyz Auto Parts)
Location, date and time of meeting. Include time when the meeting adjourned.
List all members who were absent for this meeting (this quietly alerts absent members they were missed when you send them copies of the minutes).
Detail a review of previous committee’s recommendations and their current status. (Repeatedly listing in your meeting minutes that a previously recommended (anything?) has not been purchased by the district as of the date of this meeting, can eventually garner additional attention).
Include an overview of any discussion concerning program needs, direction and recommendations by your committee.
Include significant, quotable remarks by members if and when appropriate.
Make sure to email or snail mail a copy of these minutes to each advisory member, even those not in attendance.
Lastly, complete the minutes within 24 hours of ending the meeting and always send a copy of your minutes to your supervisor.

Funding Sources:

Most career technical schools have at least some access to Perkins Funding. The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins IV) is a principal source of federal funding to states and discretionary grantees for the improvement of secondary and postsecondary career and technical education programs across the nation. The purpose of the Act is to develop more fully the academic, career, and technical skills of secondary and postsecondary students who elect to enroll in career and technical education programs.

Matching Funds:

Some schools may have an opportunity to utilize a piece of Perkins funding referred to as “Matching Funds” which essentially means they can apply for Perkins monies that will pay 50% of the needs cost. This results in the school being required to only pay the other 50% of the needs cost. Recommend you check with your school’s treasurer for additional information on this. In addition, with the current federal government’s plan to infuse money into the economy after the COVID 19 crises, my guess is there will be more $$$ on the table. You just have to go get it!

Grants:

Don’t be afraid to apply for grant monies. Often times, there may be grant money available specifically for Automotive Repair Programs. Yes, I know, it is easy to say things like “I don’t know how to write a grant proposal” or “I do not know where to search for grants” or the inevitable “I don’t have time to apply for a grant.”

All grants are not created equal! Yes, some grant proposals will require significant research, documentation and properly formatted details. If there is a grant available which requires this kind of work, seek help from one of your school’s English teachers. They can be a great help in this area.

However, many grants will require only a moderate amount of work. You will need to complete their application which will likely require you to write a story detailing your program’s needs (why you need this, how will you utilize this during your instruction, how often will it be used and how do you believe it will increase student achievement) write short, hard hitting sentences. Long winded statements will likely lose the reader.

Grants and funding requests are often shot down, especially the first time you try.

DO NOT GIVE UP!

Keep going back until you are successful - the rewards are worth it. Our profession has seen a large influx of new instructors in both the secondary and post-secondary education levels. For many, the lack of knowledge in this area appears widespread. Ideas and suggestions for acquiring funding, should be shared. If any reader has input, they would like to share, please feel free to do so.

Lastly, utilize your students - give them an assignment to research and find grant opportunities!

Here are a few as examples. Automotive Related Grants which may help you achieve your goal.

RPM Foundation Grants

https://rpm.foundation/apply-for-grant/

US Department of Education

https://ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/grntprgm.html

The College Grants

https://www.collegegrant.net/trade-school-grants/

Grants for Automotive Repair Programs

http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/afterschoolSnack/Grants-for-automotive-repair-programs_12-10-2018.cfm

- Mark McKinney

Celebrating The 30th Anniversary of The Clean Air Act

Wed, 17 Mar 2021 11:43:57 GMT

Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990

This article originally ran on November 18th, 2020 over on MACS blog . Back in February they updated their name to Mobile Air Climate Systems Association. We want to thank them for allowing us to repost this article. Check them out as they provide trainings and resources.

macs.bdcstaging.co m

It was 2:30 in the afternoon on Friday, November 15, 1991. politicians and media met in the East Room at the White House to greet President George H. W. Bush just moments before he signed the most comprehensive update to our nation’s environmental laws in 30 years.

Of course, I’m talking about the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, which received overwhelming bipartisan support. Specifically, these amendments were designed to curb four major threats to the environment and public health: acid rain, urban air pollution, toxic air emissions, and stratospheric ozone depletion. The amendments also established a national operating permits program and strengthened enforcement.

They featured several progressive and creative new approaches for effectively achieving the air quality goals and regulatory reform expected from these far-reaching amendments. A summary of EPA documents explains.

Air quality

• Air quality has improved significantly in our nation, reducing health threats, such as lung damage, asthma, heart attacks and premature death. All 41 areas that had unhealthy levels of carbon monoxide pollution in 1991 now have levels that meet the health-based national air quality standard. More than 90% of areas originally identified as not meeting the 1997 ozone air quality standards now meet those standards. Since 1990, particle pollution levels have improved by 36%.

• Performance standards for new vehicles are met by a combination of cleaner fuels and vehicle technologies. Under the 1990 amendments, new cars, SUVs and pickup trucks, heavy-duty trucks and buses have become dramatically cleaner. The same is true of non-road engines such as those used in industrial, farm and recreational equipment, locomotives and marine vessels.

• State and EPA programs to cut interstate air pollution have reduced pollution regionally and have helped most downwind areas to meet the 1997 and 2006 air quality standards for ozone and fine particles.

Acid rain and regional haze

• An innovative market-based system of pollution allowances has dramatically cut sulfur dioxide emissions, reducing acid rain as well as fine particle pollution that contributes to premature death. This federal program also has significantly reduced damage to water quality in lakes and streams and has improved the health of ecosystems and forests.

• In addition, the scenic vistas in our national parks are clearer due to reductions in pollution caused haze.

Toxic air pollution

• Industrial and other stationary sources emit about 1.5 million tons less toxic air pollution per year than in 1990. These standards set a level playing field by requiring higher emitting sources to achieve the cleaner level of performance achieved by the best performing similar sources.

Ozone layer protection

• To protect the ozone layer, the U.S. has phased out the ozone depleting substances that Congress identified as “most damaging,” including CFCs (in our case, R-12 refrigerant) and halons, while promoting cost-effective alternatives. Actions to protect the ozone layer are saving millions of people from contracting fatal skin cancers and eye cataracts over periods of several decades.

A peer-reviewed EPA study found that the 1990 Amendments are achieving large health benefits that will grow further over time. For example, the study estimates that in 2020, the Clean Air Act Amendments will avoid more than 230,000 early deaths, as well as large numbers of other adverse health effects, through improvements in fine particle and ozone levels.

The economic value of the air quality improvements is estimated to reach almost $2 trillion for 2020, a value which vastly exceeds the costs of efforts to comply with the 1990 Clean Air Act.

Although important air pollution challenges remain, and we have much work left to do, the 1990 Amendments have had impressive results.

Steve Schaeber, MACS manager of service training

reposted from Nov 18, 2020 macs.bdcstaging.com/blog/

The Electronic Legal System

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 20:03:52 GMT

Laws and rules governing electronics, electricity, and their associated circuitry.

There are a lot of laws and rules governing electronics, electricity, and their associated circuitry. These laws hold mostly true throughout electronics and electricity. Some are quite obvious, some not so much, but all are interesting. Here are some examples to just get things started.

Elements with less than four valence electrons are good conductors.
Elements with more than four valence electrons are good insulators.
Elements with exactly four valence electrons are semi-conductors.

Note: Valence electrons are the free electrons in the outer shell of an atom. These “Free” electrons can be induced to jump from one atom to another in elements with less than four valence electrons, thus creating current.

The periodic table groups the elements together according to their count of valence or “free” electrons.

Current is the flow of electrons through a conductor.
Current is measured in amps.
One ampere equals 6.28 quintillion electrons per second.

(A quintillion is 10^18 or one billion billion. 1,000,000,000,000,000,000.)

Current is the amount or volume of electricity in a circuit.
Electron Flow theory states that the flow of electrons is from negative to positive.

Electric current creates a magnetic field around the wire.
Magnetic lines have direction and will change direction if current flow changes direction.
As current increases the field strengthens.

Voltage is the force that causes current to flow through an electrical conductor.
Voltage is often referred to as the potential or electromotive force and is measured in volts.
Voltage can be generated mechanically or chemically.
Resistance is the opposition to the flow of electrical current in a circuit.
Resistance is measured in Ohms.
All conductors offer some type of resistance to the flow of current.
There are 3 parts to the basic circuit, a power source, a load, and a ground.
One ohm is the resistance that will allow one amp to flow at one volt.

When talking about the basics of electronic circuitry it can be said that the power supply pushes electrical charges around a circuit in the same way that a pump pushes water in a fountain. The power supply doesn’t supply current to the circuit, it only supplies the energy to move the electrons, just as a pump does not supply water, only the pressure to make the water flow. Another water analogy describes this using water tanks. One tank with a small hole and another with a larger hole. The water representing the voltage, the hole representing the resistance, and the water flowing out of the tank as the current. When the water level is the same, the flow of water from the tank with the larger hole will be greater due to the lower resistance to water flow. The tank with the smaller hole will have less water flow due to the greater resistance to water flow. If you increase the water level in the tank with the smaller hole the pressure will increase due to the weight of the water and the water flowing will increase proportionately.

NOTE: The individual elements of a circuit are connected so that current flows through them beginning at the power supply’s positive terminal (flow of current - conventional theory), and ending at the power supply’s negative terminal (like the water in the fountain makes a loop). That is why the flow of electricity through something is called a completed circuit and the individual components placed in the path of the flowing electricity are called circuitry.

Using what we have learned so far about Ohm’s Law we can easily deduce the missing parameters of simple series circuits. Parallel circuits have multiple branches of electrical flow, and electricity, like water, will always follow the path of least resistance. When troubleshooting parallel circuits it is always best to break the circuit down into the fewest possible paths, but Ohm’s Law will still hold true.

Let's use the formulas from the Ohm's Law chart above:

If you have a constant voltage output from a power source (say a car battery) and you know that the power window motor has an internal resistance of 3 Ohms, it is easy to deduce that the current the motor draws is going to be about 4 amps. The voltage divided by the resistance will give the answer.

Assume you have a trunk release that keeps blowing fuses and the fuse is rated at 6 Amps. You can see that as the resistance of the circuit has fallen below a certain threshold the current required to activate the solenoid has gone up proportionately. So, if you divide E (voltage) by I (current) you should have about 2 Ohms of resistance in the circuit. Something in the circuit has had its resistance lowered by being shorted to another circuit or possibly to ground. If you take some measurements and see that things are not as they should be you can then start troubleshooting the circuit for shorts, or any combination of things, but remember that Ohm’s Law will always hold true to help you find the answer.

If we look a little deeper we can see that the three elements of Ohm’s Law (Voltage, Resistance, and Current) are easily defined, but there is a fourth element that can be added to aid in the understanding of electrical and electronic circuitry. The fourth element is Power. Unlike the other three, Power is not an independent component of electrical circuits, but rather it is a measure of how much energy is used to perform the work (light a bulb, turn a motor, etc.) over a set period of time. The unit of measure for Power is the Watt , which is defined as using one Joule of Energy per Second. It was explained to me in this way:

Voltage is APPLIED
Resistance EXISTS
Current is RESULTANT (and then)
Power is CONSUMED

What this means is that Power (i.e. WATTAGE) is a measure of how much electricity is used up as a circuit operates. The primary formula for power is P = I x E. This pie chart shows all of the different ways to deduce power along with the standard Ohm’s Law formulas. So, if you have unanswered questions regarding your electronic circuit and you know two of the elements, you can easily find the other two. So go out there and make Georg Ohm and James Prescott Joule proud.

Jeff Bogue, Product Representative

Induction vs DC Brushless

Thu, 14 Jan 2021 12:44:02 GMT

And so the debate goes on...

This is a debate that has been thrown around in engineering circles for a few years now. You might as well be talking Ford vs Chevy where some of these guys are concerned. That being said, what are the advantages of one over the other and who will win? Well, if there was “One Best” of anything at doing all things, there would only be one car manufacturer with one engine design. But no, there are numerous manufacturers and the number of engines and engine designs is mind boggling. This is because there is no one best at anything. Some people want to haul heavy things around, some people just want to get from point A to point B as cheaply as possible, and then there are people that want to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible. And so the Induction vs DC Brushless debate goes.

Let’s first discuss their differences-

With the DC Brushless Motor, the rotor inside incorporates two or more permanent magnets that generate a DC magnetic field. This magnetic field enters the stator core and interacts with the voltage/current within the windings to produce a twisting force between the two (torque). As the rotor spins, the current within the stator has to have its magnitude and current constantly monitored and varied to optimize both torque and efficiency. This control unit is called an Inverter or switching power supply and it is the drive brain of the motor.

Now, with all of this information, you would think that the DC Brushless Motor would be falling behind, but currently there is no real advantage leader between the two. In the DC Brushless Motor, it comes down to efficiency. The DC Brushless Motor is the efficiency king. When this motor is running in its happy place, it can top 96% efficiency, turning 96% of applied electricity into electromotive force. When coupled with a multi-speed transmission to keep it in that happy place, they are the efficiency champs. Meanwhile, the induction motor’s big advantage, apart from its simplicity and ruggedness, has always been its ability to tolerate a wider range of temperatures and speeds. Providing adequate cooling for the Toyota Prius’s permanent-magnet motor adds significantly to the vehicle’s weight. An induction motor, by contrast, can be cooled passively and thereby dispense with the hefty radiator, cooling fan, water pump and associated plumbing. Better still, by being able to tolerate temperatures that cause permanent magnets to break down, an induction motor can be pushed (albeit briefly) to far higher levels of performance for, say, testing your 0-60 times or when climbing a steep hill. Hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius or the Chevrolet Volt have to use their gasoline engines to get extra zip. Pure electric vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf depend on gearboxes to generate the extra torque for arduous tasks. By contrast, the Tesla uses just one gear—such is the flexibility of its three-phase induction motor.

The similarity of these motors is impossible to deny as are their differences. This is also true when the motors are used for more than just driving the wheels. If the AC supply voltage of an Induction Motor is removed, the result is no drive force and no battery charging regeneration effect. The motor will freewheel. This is not true of the DC Brushless motor. Both motors are driven by a variable speed frequency inverter (one AC and one DC). Regenerative braking is possible by reducing the supply frequency. The synchronous speed applied to the stators is less than the motor speed. During Regenerative Braking, the motor is generating more voltage than it is using and that excess voltage is fed back to the batteries. AC motors can be microprocessor controlled to a much finer point and thus can regenerate all the way down to a stop, whereas the Brushless DC motors regeneration capabilities tend to fade off at lower speeds. The final advantage of the AC Induction motor is in Dynamic Braking. This is done by reversing the rotating wave within the stators. By reversing the rotating wave within the motor, the motor wants to turn in the opposite direction. This does not regenerate power for the batteries, but the magnetic field in the motor spinning in the opposite direction simply acts as a brake on the spinning rotor and the excess energy is dissipated as heat. The DC Brushless motor is capable of doing this, but excess heat build-up runs the possibility of damaging the expensive rare earth magnets within its rotor.

All in all, both motors are quite good at doing what they were designed to do. The DC Brushless motors have been around a little longer in this application and have a strong foothold in the industry, but that foothold is slipping as the technology to control the Induction motor has improved. Tesla Motors has a policy of releasing its technology to other manufacturers so that they too can enter into the world of the plug-in electric vehicle.

Jeff Bogue, Product Representative

Where There’s Smoke... There’s Learning

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 12:29:59 GMT

It’s no secret that students need help

to make the leap across the gap between information and understanding.

It’s also no secret that “doing” bridges that gap. ATech’s faulted trainers include “real world” system electrical faults designed to give students the opportunity to acquire and practice troubleshooting skills by “doing”.

The ATech EVAP trainer takes this concept even further. The GM enhanced EVAP “plumbing” system has been replicated on the trainer and is fully functional, allowing students to become familiar with EVAP system testing, troubleshooting, and diagnosis.

This trainer emulates the GM enhanced EVAP system from a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. Courseware, which includes an Instructor Guide and Student Manual, provides on-trainer and on-vehicle activities.

How much time and effort are required to use a live vehicle for EVAP diagnostic exercises? GM’s scan tool-driven EVAP Service Bay Test, which is used to verify both existing conditions and completed repairs, will only run if the vehicle’s fuel level is between 15 and 85% and the engine coolant temperature is below 158°F (70°C). This test has to be performed with the vehicle’s engine running. How many times in a row can this test be run before the engine temperature gets above this limit? How long will the vehicle take to cool back down enough to run the test again?

The 2003 Impala sets the following EVAP “plumbing-related” DTCs:

- P0440 (Large EVAP Leak)

- P0442 (Small EVAP Leak)

- P0446 (Blocked Vent Solenoid / Path)

- P1441 (Vacuum detected during non-purge)

Do your students currently practice diagnosing these DTCs and pinpointing their causes? Faults that set all of these DTCs can be inserted on the EVAP system trainer. Students can practice troubleshooting all of these faults via GM Service Information (SI) procedures. The EVAP system trainer also has faults related to EVAP system monitoring and control. The goal is for more student learning to occur in less time.

Let’s preview the on-trainer diagnostic process for a small EVAP system leak with DTC P0442 set. The instructor inserts a small leak into the EVAP system trainer either via the built-in keypad or the ATech Instructor Management Program.

As noted in previous Newsletter articles, the trainer will run the complete GM EVAP Service Bay Test from either the trainer’s internal scan tool, or from a Tech 2 scan tool. Since there’s no engine on the trainer, this test can be run as many times in a row as necessary.

The GM SI diagnostic table then lists a step-by-step procedure for locating the leak via visual inspection and the use of their Evaporative Emissions System (nitrogen/smoke) Tester. Specifically, GM’s procedure directs the technician to introduce smoke into the EVAP system by connecting the tester to the vehicle using a Fuel Tank Cap adapter.

Most working technicians would dispute this procedure. What if the fuel tank cap itself was the source of the leak? If the root cause of this DR really was the proverbial “loose gas cap”, would this method of testing pinpoint the location of the problem? The first step in troubleshooting typically is to verify the problem. The student should use the correct procedure when practicing troubleshooting. Part of teaching the diagnostic process should include the opportunity for the student to practice verifying the problem.

The Switch

Thu, 12 Nov 2020 12:54:03 GMT

When talking about battery powered vehicles, what do you envision?

In the coming years, the sheer volume and variety of electric vehicles will be significantly more than our current selection. The latest "Automotive News" announced the new vehicles that will be making their debut. The first one to catch my eye was the Mustang Mach E. It is an all-electric vehicle with a 300 mile range and a laundry list of options including all-wheel drive. It is touted to be “fast and fun to drive”. What more could you want? The offerings seem to just get better with new hybrid models from Jeep and all-electric models from Hummer, Volvo, and their partner, Polestar, coming out this year. Next year is awash with completely new models and brands.

In 2021 we can expect new cars from Alpha Romeo, Nissan, Audi, Toyota, Hyundai and Kia. But we will also see new entries from companies like Byton from China, Karma, which has a factory in the U.S. but is owned by a Chinese Company, and Lucid, which has a factory in the U.S. and is owned by a Saudi Arabian company. Finally, Ferrari, McLaren, BMW, Mercedes, Bentley, and Porsche all making new vehicles in the next few years.

Here is where it gets interesting because the electric vehicle is not exclusively a “car” anymore. Bollinger Motor Company, in Michigan, is going to offer several truck models like the B1 and the B2 with their moto being “No Screens, No Plastic, Just Truck”. These are truly utilitarian vehicles, fairly inexpensive starting at about $50,000 before incentives, built to take a beating and offer about a 200 mile range in the base model. I actually like the square no-frills look. The next truck on the list is the Lordstown Endurance. Their factory is in Lordstown, Ohio, and they are making their Stock Market debut on October 26, 2020. This model is similar to the trucks we are familiar with. Like Bollinger, its starting price is about $50,000 and offers about 250 miles per charge. Rivian is a new company out of Normal, Illinois, and they are offering a truck and SUV built on the same platform. These trucks are a bit more expensive, offer more amenities and tout a range up to 400+ miles “depending on how much you want to spend”. They are very nice off-road capable trucks like the Bollinger and the Lordstown but seem to be a little more polished. With a price tag almost $20,000 higher than the other two, they should be. The ‘cheaper’ of the bunch is the Tesla Cybertruck with a starting price of $39,900. I never thought I would say that a Tesla was the inexpensive option, but here we are. The base model Tesla gets about 300 miles per charge and its wonky shape (looks like it was drawn by a 5-year-old) is due to the fact that cold rolled stainless steel is too hard to form into curves. Still, it is a Tesla and a pretty proven platform if you can get over the Buck Rogers shape.

The last one on the list is perhaps my favorite. It is the Nikola Badger. Nikola is based in Phoenix, Arizona, and the Badger is the most ‘trucky’ of the bunch. It definitely looks the part of the aggressive off-road vehicle that we are accustomed to. It is base priced around $60,000 before incentives but offers a bit more for that price. What is unique about the Nikola is that it is a battery and hydrogen fuel cell hybrid. The Badger will offer a range of about 300 miles on the battery pack with an additional 300 miles coming from a full hydrogen charge for a combined range of 600+ miles. Nikola has just recently partnered with GM and became a publicly traded company. They are slated to start production in early 2021 on their hydrogen electric long-haul trucks. The Nikola Badger is anticipated to enter production by year-end 2022. All of these offerings are really taking a bite out of that 300 to 400 mile range anxiety, and pricing from these new manufacturers is expected to drop as production really starts rolling in the next four to five years. All of them are taking pre-orders now.

Foundational Electricity

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 14:31:17 GMT

Fundamental skills will allow for a feeling of confidence

If this last year has shown us anything, it is that things can change in the blink of an eye, especially when it comes to a career. As a kid, when you think about your career, typically you do so in the broad sense like doctor or firefighter- the specifics haven’t been decided yet. But as we get older, we realize we need to be careful of our career choices because we will have to stick with them for years. But are our students and educators prepared for the changes that are inevitably coming? Do they know what to do? The first step is to fall back on the education that set them up to be successful in their career choice in the first place, back to the foundation.

Each of us is in charge of our own company, You, Inc. As company owner, you get to decide which resources, or skills, you have at your disposal. In a global economy, those with the skills in demand get the jobs. The mastery of general skills allows for an advantage over mastery of a narrow specific set of criteria. Knowing change is constant, are educators doing their best to help their students be ready, and are students doing their best to make themselves marketable in changing times? Foundational skills instead of specific narrow criteria allows for stronger building blocks, especially in electricity. Stronger education creates stronger more marketable employees which creates stronger businesses. Isn’t it interesting how a strong foundation isn’t shaken by the changing times?

- Laura Lyons

President of ATech

Back In Session

Thu, 10 Sep 2020 12:25:20 GMT

Back In Session, But With Differences...

It’s the start of a new school year. Any other year and it would barely be given a second thought. We know many of you are starting the school year the same way it ended in the spring. You have had to face delayed starts, divided classes so that the numbers can work for in person classes, face masks requirements, and even plexiglass dividers separating desks. All of this is foreign to us and creates challenges we never expected. In the end, we know your desire is to figure out how to best reach your students so they can learn and become better individuals. We applaud you for all you are doing to make that happen for your students.

We want to let you know that our commitment to you, the instructor, has not changed. What started 36 years ago with a desire to develop products that would aid instructors in their teaching; ATech continues that same commitment today. We are still, hard at work building trainers, developing new trainers, and working on ways to support the instructor community better. If you need support or help with the equipment you have, please reach out for assistance.

Adversity can generate feelings of isolation and aloneness even when it is the result something as wide spread as Covid-19. Know that you are not alone and that there are others struggling through many of the same obstacles you face. During this time it is important to keep ourselves open to new ideas, to keep searching for new ways to approach things, and to keep communicating with others. Please reach out to us and ask if there is something we can do to help you teach your students, or assist you as an instructor.

- The ATech Team

Electricity Made Simple - Part 2

Wed, 06 May 2020 19:27:04 GMT

Understand The Principles and Concepts of Electricity

Make sure to read Part 1 from April's Blog post.

When a stretched rubber band is released, its elasticity contracts as it snaps back to its original position. The force of the contraction is proportion-ate to the length and force of the stretch. If the same rubber band is stretched and released beneath water, the rubber band will experience a slower contraction rate as it snaps back to its original resting position. Contraction rate is now compromised due to the opposing force offered by the presence and substance of water. The water will offer opposition to the rubber band’s contraction rate. If the same process is repeated with the rubber band submerged in a thicker gel-like substance, the rubber band’s contraction rate will experience additional opposing forces from the gel-like substance. The thicker the gel-like substance, the more opposition or physical resistance to the rubber band effect.

By explaining the basic concepts of electricity and providing real-life examples involving the dynamics of electricity, students begin to connect the dots and under-stand what electricity is really all about; what allows a battery to be fully charged and what causes a battery to be discharged. The distinction between charged batteries versus dead batteries is comparable to a stretched rubber band versus a rubber band that is not stretched. Stretching the rubber band awakens the potential elastic force in the rubber band material while displacing and accumulating electrons disproportionately establishes a potential voltage charge within a battery. There is no potential energy in a rubber band when it is not stretched. There is no potential voltage between atoms in a state of equilibrium. Natural laws, and the laws of physics and chemistry, allow for science to use natural principles of chemistry to cause electrons to accumulate disproportionately between two conductive plate(s). The difference between the number of electrons on the negative plate(s) and the positive plate(s) generates an electrical charge within the battery. Whenever any two different conductive materials are placed into an acidic solution or substance called electrolyte, a natural chemical reaction will occur. This chemical reaction causes electrons to move and accumulate disproportionately on one of the two conductive plates more so than the other. The plate that accumulates excessive electrons is considered to be the negative plate(s) or terminal of the battery and the conductive plate(s) that loses or is deprived of the equivalent number of electrons is considered to be the positive plate(s) or terminal of the battery. The chemical reaction enables the electrons to leave the plate(s) of one terminal and accumulate on the plate(s) of the other terminal.

Students can see and experience the concept of a battery by inserting two different types of conductive material into an acidic solution; i.e. a brass screw and a galvanized screw can be used as plates/terminals inserted into an acidic solution (body of electrolyte) such as a lemon or a potato. Students can use a DVOM to measure the potential voltage of approximately 600 to 1,000 millivolts (mV) that will develop across the brass and galvanized screw terminals of the lemon/potato-based battery. They can connect a light emitting diode (LED) to the correct polarity on the terminals of the lemon/ potato battery and see the LED light as the electrons flow from the lemon/potato battery. Students are always fascinated by live demonstrations. They get the opportunity to witness and experience the most fundamental electrical charge emanating from a fruit or vegetable. The voltage generated will primarily depend on the size and type of conductive screws or plates used and the specific gravity of the acidic solution as compared to water. One of the two screws will become the positive terminal and the other will become the negative terminal. Students can use a DVOM to verify which screw became the negative or positive terminal of the lemon/potato battery. The test leads of the DVOM can be switched between both screw terminals until a negative sign appears on the screen of the DVOM. This will identify the polarity of the screw terminals of the lemon/potato battery. Students will learn the significance of polarity. If a conductive pathway is provided to allow all displaced and accumulated electrons to return to their original destination, the battery will then be considered discharged or dead. Electrons will flow or travel from the negative terminal to the positive terminal via any electrical conductive pathway. When electrons flow from the negative to the positive terminal of the battery, this is called the electron flow. The conventional flow is based on the assumption that electrons flow from the positive terminal to the negative terminal of the battery. Should a higher voltage be required, several lemon/potato batteries can be connected in series; positive screw terminals connected to the negative screw terminals. This will cause the total voltage to double or triple for each lemon/potato battery connected in series.

Recharging a dead automotive battery is accomplished by using an external electrical source called a battery charger. Recharging a battery is comparable to stretching a rubber band again and again. When free electrons are pushed away from the valence rings of the original atom on the positive plate(s) and collected disproportionately on the negative plate(s) of the battery, the battery is re-charged. Potential elastic force is established in a rubber band, and potential voltage is established between the terminals of a battery. Unfortunately, after stretching a rubber band repeatedly, it will eventually fail. Likewise, after recharging an automotive battery repeatedly, the battery will also fail. Students will be able to connect these demonstrations and experiences to what they have learned.

It is very important for students to understand the concept of electrical power. Electrical power ratings deter-mine how much electrical work a device or component can deliver or withstand before overheating or approaching catastrophic failure. The purpose for addressing power is not to explore the concept of electrical power at this time but rather to remind students of its importance. Electrical wattage is a critical determining factor in stereo systems, electrical motors, electrical drivers, and electrical bulbs. Adequate cooling and ventilation must be considered and provided for the durability of electrical devices and components. For example, excessive cranking of an automotive engine can cause the starter motor to burn out due to excessive heat and power consumption. Alternators must also be able to withstand the electrical power demands for all electrical systems on automotive vehicles. Resistors can be used to demonstrate the concept of electrical power by using three resistors of equal resistor value. However, the resistors should have different power ratings. One should be rated higher than the product of the current and volt-age they are connected to. The other should be half the power rating, and the third one should be less than half the required rating. Students can build a basic circuit and connect the resistors to a secured and stable power sup-ply that will provide the same voltage and current for all three resistors. Students can then observe and experience how the lowest power-rated resistor may literally burn while the highest-rated power resistor remains at room temperature. Despite the current and voltage remaining the same for all three resistors, the power rating of the resistors make an enormous difference in the outcome.

-Monroe Sorton, Automotive Instructor

Kars On The Run

karsontherun@gmail.com

Electricity Made Simple - Part 1

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 18:46:29 GMT

Good Foundation For Understanding Electrical Theory

This article is my perspective on one of the most important subjects in automotive service technology. Helping automotive students develop a good foundation for understanding electrical theory and its application is essential in learning effective automotive electrical troubleshooting and diagnostic skills. Automotive students are often challenged and overwhelmed by the study of electrical theory and Ohm’s Law. Ohm’s Law is a scientific/ mathematical formula introduced by George Simone Ohm (1789- 1854; German physicist) to express the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance. Although Ohm’s Law captures the mathematical relationship between these electrical terms, it is only a fraction of numerous combinations of electrical formulas used in basic and advanced electrical calculations. Visualizing and experiencing the principles and dynamics of electricity is the key to developing a good foundation for students to learn electrical theory.

The fundamental questions students should be encouraged to focus on are: What is electricity? and How does electricity come into being? I encourage students to grasp the concept of electricity from this perspective. After 20 years or more of teaching, I still enjoy the fun and excitement of attempting to explain how an invisible concept such as energy is responsible for countless visible and tangible experiences in and outside the realm of automotive service and technology. This challenge adds tremendous value to the joy, effort, and skill of teaching experiences. Teaching electrical theory is like explaining the dynamics, function, and benefits of air. Air is not visible, yet we cannot live without it. Whenever birds fly, planes take off, and people speak, we experience and enjoy the visible effects and benefits of air. We may also experience the destructive forces of energy that result in tornadoes and hurricane-force winds. It is evident how beneficial and yet detrimental the invisible energy forces of air can be. In many ways it can be compared to electricity.

The existence, movement, or flow of electricity is a result of the invisible sub-atomic particles called electrons. When electrons move from atom to atom, this is called electrical current. Current is based on the measured quantity of electrons moving from one atom to the other with respect to time. With this understanding, students can now begin to focus on the dynamics of the electrons.

How does electricity come into being? According to the Bohr model, there are varieties of shells and sub-shells or rings of electron energy levels revolving around the nucleus of each atom. Each energy level may contain 1 to 2(n)2 electrons, where “n” equals the shell or ring number. Although the details of the atomic structure are interesting, it is more important for students to understand the significance of the furthest energy level or ring of electron(s) away from the nucleus of each atom. This energy level ring will be called the valence ring in this article, and this is the key to students understanding the concept of electricity, conductors, and insulators.

The valence ring of each atom is where understanding the nature of electricity often begins. If less than three electrons exist in the valence ring of any atom, these electrons can be easily influenced by natural forces to move away from one valence ring of an atom to the other. Therefore, when three or less electrons exist in the valence ring of any atom, these electrons are specifically called free electrons; free from nature’s chemical bond that holds them in the position of the valence ring. Electrons are said to move or travel at the speed of light and light speed is documented to be approximately 186,000 miles per second or 300,000,000 meters per second. To help students identify with such tremendous speed, think of being able to travel around planet Earth approximately 7.5 times in one second. This is how fast electrons are reported to travel. If five or more electrons exist in the valence ring of any atom, it becomes extremely difficult for any of the five or more electrons to be influenced and moved away from their valence ring to valence rings of other atoms.

-Monroe Sorton, Automotive Instructor

Kars On The Run

karsontherun@gmail.com

Range Anxiety

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 14:31:20 GMT

Reason many are reluctant to buy an electric vehicle

A New World of Cooling Systems

Wed, 05 Feb 2020 19:08:14 GMT

This article is excerpted from the MACS Service Report for February 2020 a MACS member-only publication. ©MobileAirCondiitoningSocietyFeb2020.

This month MACS is running a Leap Year membership special to buy one year of MACS membership get one free for all educators. Use the attached form to apply and take advantage of all the great technical resources MACS has to offer. For more information contact: marion@macsw.org

Advanced Cooling System Becoming "Mainstream"

A New World of Cooling Systems

You probably haven’t seen many late-model super-high-performance vehicles in your shop, or even late-model premium European cars (and likely won’t for a number of years to come). So, models with multiple radiators combined with variable-speed electric water pumps will not have appeared and changed your impression of cooling system design. Probably all you may have seen is the computer-controlled variable speed electric water pump, which has been used on hybrids for several years and more recently by BMW (2.0-liter four-cylinder) and Toyota on new Camry models.

But when an advanced cooling system makes its debut on “mainstream” so-called “conventional” gasoline engines, it’s time to really pay attention.

General Motors has begun a changeover to what it calls “Active Thermal Management,” on the base engine in its Silverado pickup. The engine is the 2.7-liter in-line four, which matches in displacement (although not in the number of cylinders) with the 2.7-liter V6 in the Ford F-150.

SAE International has been running a Thermal Management Systems Symposium for a number of years, and it’s been a sign of engineering to come, so MACS staff members have been attending, to be ready for the new technology.

We suspect that as active thermal management systems evolve, some of the external hoses and pipes will be passages within the engine, with additional trouble coding to cover the absence of external parts that can be checked by use of infrared guns and hand-feel diagnosis. At this time, we can’t tell what will be necessary to flush such a system. Obviously, its complexity makes it pretty obvious that all the piping, hoses, passages and heat exchangers will make conventional flushing just about impossible. We probably will see scan tool routines that put the system in various modes for partial flushing of each section. Or you may have to make specific disconnections and individually flush the block, head, radiator, heater, etc.

The active system does mean that the system is in a continuous control mode, and if any of those 10 coolant temperature sensors fails, a technician will deal with new problems he has never seen before. Right now, you check a cooling system for cold and warmed up. The 2.7-liter I-4 has up to seven, yes sev- en cooling modes, although not all seven are used every time; it depends on the temperature of engine and transmission components, their oils, coolants and ambient temperature. The system is designed to switch seamlessly between modes, depending on what amount of heating is selected. The engine-cold, heater-off, startup mode (No. 1) is the fastest at warming up the engine. The electric water pump is run at low speed and both valves are in low coolant flow mode, as heated coolant is allowed to stay around the combustion chamber. The low flow through the block helps speed warmup of that area.

If the driver requests heating or turns on the defroster, the water pump may speed up and from here on, through the remaining coolant flow modes, pump rpm is regulated according to engine demand. And the coolant valves are adjusted by the computer, with feedbacks from position sensors at the valves.

- MACS Service Report for Feb. 2020

Turbocharge This and Supercharge That

Wed, 08 Jan 2020 15:30:45 GMT

Turbocharger vs. Supercharger: The On Going Battle

Today everything seems to be Turbo this, Turbo that, Twin Turbo those, and everything in between. The poor supercharger seems to have been cast aside. Or has it? Everybody knows that turbochargers and superchargers add more power, but what is actually going on. Is one better than the other? Why do it in the first place? Let’s take a look at these powerhouse additions to the automobile and see what is happening, when it started, and why.

The supercharger is pretty much plug and play. It is installed on the top of the engine and does require a belt to drive it. The units are extremely reliable, and give a lot of bang for your buck with fewer modifications to your engine bay. The problem with superchargers is the fact that they require engine power to drive the compressor. The horsepower losses can be felt at the gas pump as some units can require over a hundred horsepower to run but provide over three to four hundred horsepower in return.

However the battle continues with the introduction of the electric supercharger. The 2019 Mercedes-AMG CLS53 and E53 performance models offer a new, turbocharged 429 hp 3.0-liter inline-six fitted with an electrically driven supercharger that supplements the turbo’s high-rpm boost. An electric motor spins a compressor to provide a burst of low-rpm torque that fills in the gap in power normally felt as turbo lag. Mercedes-AMG is the first manufacturer to incorporate an electric supercharger. BorgWarner, the unit’s manufacturer, says the electric supercharger “delivers boost on demand until the turbocharger takes over, improving boost at low engine speeds and nearly eliminating turbo lag. I call this a win win. While most manufacturers have chosen turbocharging for almost all of their current- production power-boosted engines, the reality is that the battle will wage for some time as we see these technologies work together side by side.

-Jeff Bogue, ATech Product Representative

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2022 Automotive Industry Trends and Predictions

...each new year will bring new challenges.

Information of the Highway

There was a time when you could troubleshoot a good portion of your automotive issues with a set of wrenches and a vacuum gauge.

NACAT 2022 : August 8th - 11th

2022 NACAT Annual Conference & Expo

Electric Vehicles and the Automotive Technician

New vehicles mean new technologies,

﻿ new tools to buy, and new skills to learn.

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ADAS, or “Advanced Driving Support Systems”

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I was lucky to grow up in a time before...

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Does your program have old, worn out equipment?

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Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990

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new tools to buy, and new skills to learn.

to make the leap across the gap between information and understanding.