Abstract: An electronic steering and control apparatus and related control methods for a pair of variable drive units. The variable drive units may be hydrostatic, continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), or other similar devices. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that may include a mowing deck.

Abstract: An integrated battery service system allows a user to abort a service and then resume the process from where the process was aborted. When conducting a service, the integrated battery service system determines a noise level caused by devices/components coupled to the battery. The integrated battery service system includes connectors configured to couple to a battery for receiving input signals, a processor coupled to the connectors, and a memory device coupled to the processor for storing control codes and operation history. The control codes, when executed by the processor, control the system to selectively abort a service in response to a user input. Since the memory stores operation histories, the processor may access the memory to retrieve data related to the aborted service and parameters obtained during the service before the process was aborted. The system reinstates the aborted service in response to another user input.

Abstract: An integrated battery service system performs a plurality of services related to a battery, such as battery testing, battery charging, and the like. In addition, the integrated service system provides services to devices/components that are coupled to the battery, such as starters, alternators, etc. The integrated battery service system allows a user to abort a service and then resume the process from where the process was aborted. When conducting a service, the integrated battery service system determines a noise level caused by devices/components coupled to the battery. The integrated battery service system includes connectors configured to couple to a battery for receiving input signals, a processor coupled to the connectors, and a memory device coupled to the processor for storing control codes and operation history. The control codes, when executed by the processor, control the system to selectively abort a service in response to a user input.

Abstract: An automated method is provided for testing an electrical circuit using a system tester. Load leads and sense leads of the tester are connectable to any two points of an electrical circuit, such as in a vehicle system, for displaying in real time the impedance between the tested circuit points. A controller is responsive to various sensed signals to calculate impedance, admittance or conductance, and related parameters, such as available cranking current, and provide results for read out or display. A load may be connected across the circuit points under test, the sensed signals derived from a current sense amplifier, a DC voltage amplifier, a ripple amplifier, and an AC amplifier.

Abstract: An integrated battery service system performs a plurality of services related to a battery, such as battery testing, battery charging, and the like. In addition, the integrated service system provides services to devices/components that are coupled to the battery, such as starters, alternators, etc. The integrated battery service system allows a user to abort a service and then resume the process from where the process was aborted. When conducting a service, the integrated battery service system determines a noise level caused by devices/components coupled to the battery. The integrated battery service system includes connectors configured to couple to a battery for receiving input signals, a processor coupled to the connectors, and a memory device coupled to the processor for storing control codes and operation history. The control codes, when executed by the processor, control the system to selectively abort a service in response to a user input.

Abstract: An integrated battery service system performs a plurality of services related to a battery, such as battery testing, battery charging, and the like. In addition, the integrated service system provides services to devices/components that are coupled to the battery, such as starters, alternators, etc. The integrated battery service system allows a user to abort a service and then resume the process from where the process was aborted. When conducting a service, the integrated battery service system determines a noise level caused by devices/components coupled to the battery. The integrated battery service system includes connectors configured to couple to a battery for receiving input signals, a processor coupled to the connectors, and a memory device coupled to the processor for storing control codes and operation history. The control codes, when executed by the processor, control the system to selectively abort a service in response to a user input.

Abstract: An electronic steering and control apparatus and related control methods for a pair of variable drive units. The variable drive units may be hydrostatic, continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), or other similar devices. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that may include a mowing deck.

Abstract: An automated method is provided for testing an electrical circuit using a system tester. Load leads and sense leads of the tester are connectable to any two points of an electrical circuit, such as in a vehicle system, for displaying in real time the impedance between the tested circuit points. A controller is responsive to various sensed signals to calculate impedance, admittance or conductance, and related parameters, such as available cranking current, and provide results for read out or display. A load may be connected across the circuit points under test, the sensed signals derived from a current sense amplifier, a DC voltage amplifier, a ripple amplifier, and an AC amplifier.

Abstract: An integrated battery service system performs a plurality of services related to a battery, such as battery testing, battery charging, and the like. In addition, the integrated service system provides services to devices/components that are coupled to the battery, such as starters, alternators, etc. The integrated battery service system allows a user to abort a service and then resume the process from where the process was aborted. When conducting a service, the integrated battery service system determines a noise level caused by devices/components coupled to the battery. The integrated battery service system includes connectors configured to couple to a battery for receiving input signals, a processor coupled to the connectors, and a memory device coupled to the processor for storing control codes and operation history. The control codes, when executed by the processor, control the system to selectively abort a service in response to a user input.

Abstract: A method and system for evaluating the operation of an alternator based on a frequency component in the alternator output signal. The method detects a frequency component of the alternator output signal, and compares the frequency component of the alternator output signal with a threshold frequency. The operation of the alternator is evaluated based on a result of the comparison. If the frequency component of the alternator output signal is lower than the threshold frequency, the alternator is determined as defective. The frequency component can be obtained by comparing the alternator output signal with an adaptive threshold. The adaptive threshold is generated based on the peak signal level and the valley signal level of the alternator output signal, such as the average of the peak signal level and valley signal level.

Abstract: An integrated battery service system performs a plurality of services related to a battery, such as battery testing, battery charging, and the like. In addition, the integrated service system provides services to devices/components that are coupled to the battery, such as starters, alternators, etc. The integrated battery service system allows a user to abort a service and then resume the process from where the process was aborted. When conducting a service, the integrated battery service system determines a noise level caused by devices/components coupled to the battery. The integrated battery service system includes connectors configured to couple to a battery for receiving input signals, a processor coupled to the connectors, and a memory device coupled to the processor for storing control codes and operation history. The control codes, when executed by the processor, control the system to selectively abort a service in response to a user input.

Abstract: An alternator tester having improved heat dissipation. The alternator tester has a housing and a circuit board including tester circuits. The housing has a size suitable to be held in one's hand. The housing includes a first compartment for receiving the circuit board and a second compartment for housing a load. The load is coupled to an alternator when the alternator tester conducts a test on the alternator. The second compartment has an opening disposed on one side and a fan disposed on the other side. The load, the opening and the fan are substantially in line. The opening and the fan form an air flow path, when the fan is in operation, the heat generated by the load is dissipated to the surrounding air and drawn out through the air path.

Abstract: An alternator testing method and system that provides high resolution signals and stable loads during alternator tests. The method according to the present invention comprises the steps of: coupling a load to the alternator, and evaluating the operation of the alternator based on parameters collected only after the load has been coupled to the alternator for a first predetermined period of time. The method may further include a step of detecting the speed of the alternator or motor driving it, and in one aspect, the load is applied to the alternator only after motor speed or alternator speed reaches a predetermined level. The load may be automatically decoupled from the alternator after the load has been coupled to the alternator for a second predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A method and system for evaluating the operation of an alternator based on a frequency component in the alternator output signal. The method comprises detecting a frequency component of the alternator output signal, comparing the frequency component of the alternator output signal with a threshold frequency, and evaluating the operation of the alternator based on a result of the comparison. If the frequency component of the alternator output signal is lower than the threshold frequency, the alternator is determined as defective. The frequency component can be obtained by comparing the alternator output signal with an adaptive threshold. The adaptive threshold is generated based on the peak signal level and the valley signal level of the alternator output signal, such as the average of the peak signal level and valley signal level.