DPF regeneration process

[duncho]

It is a shame as I would like to know when regeneration is happening as I don't mind putting on extra miles to know it performs fully and correctly.

If you want to know when regen takes place, it is possible without OBDII reader

Please tell me more ? I have the 1.6 dci r9m in a jj10

Please read the first post in this thread, I described it there already.

[Bgmick]

I have looked again and I am failing to understand how to recognise a dpf regeneration without specialist equipment

[duncho]

How come? This is it:

If anyone is in need of monitoring when DPF regeneration is in progress, just grab +12V signal from one of the 3 thermoplungers which are designed to put extra load on engine (via alternator) during DPF filter regeneration. On attached video you can see that electric power generated by the alternator increases from 500W to 2.6kW right after DPF regeneration process is started which is followed by THERMOPLUNGER state change from DEACT to ACTIVE.

[switchback]

I have looked again and I am failing to understand how to recognise a dpf regeneration without specialist equipment

I always keep the fuel consumption "2" displayed on the dash. When you see the MPG plummet then it's doing a regen (It can drop by at least 10mpg). I try to keep driving for another 10 minutes to complete the cycle before stopping the engine.

[duncho]

Not for me (R9M engine / CVT). As you can also see on the video, there was no change in fuel consumption at all.

[Bgmick]

How come? This is it:

If anyone is in need of monitoring when DPF regeneration is in progress, just grab +12V signal from one of the 3 thermoplungers which are designed to put extra load on engine (via alternator) during DPF filter regeneration. On attached video you can see that electric power generated by the alternator increases from 500W to 2.6kW right after DPF regeneration process is started which is followed by THERMOPLUNGER state change from DEACT to ACTIVE.

So I would need to wire a wire to a 12v to the thermoplunger to an in car display ? Or light ?

[duncho]

You wire a cable which you connect to a plunger and via 1K5 resistor in series you connect it to LED.

[switchback]

Not for me (R9M engine / CVT). As you can also see on the video, there was no change in fuel consumption at all.

That's odd. Why does your alternator load increase so much? I wonder if your engine uses an electric heater for the regen and mine injects more fuel? When mine is regenerating it's almost impossible to get the bar chart to go above the current average MPG position unless you back right off the accelerator.

Edit: Just read about the increase in load to generate heat......

ECM activates the thermoplunger during DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) regeneration and increases electric load for get more engine load to perform normal DPF regeneration.

If you are injecting extra fuel upstream of the DPF and putting extra load on the alternator (+2Kw) I fail to see how you can't have an increase in fuel consumption and where does this excess electrical energy go?

[duncho]

Why it increases alternator load is explained on my first post as well as in a post later, but I copy it here again:

Thermoplunger
The thermoplunger is installed to the engine coolant line and directly warms up engine coolant. ECM transmits a thermoplunger operating signal to the thermoplunger control unit when engine coolant temperature is low. The thermoplunger control unit applies power to the thermoplunger according to the received signal and warms up engine coolant. In addition, ECM activates the thermoplunger during DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) regeneration and increases electric load for get more engine load to perform normal DPF regeneration.
ECM controls thermoplunger based on the following information:
• Engine coolant temperature
• Battery voltage
• Engine speed
• Alternator load

[switchback]

I understand that but how does it convert electrical energy into heat energy? I know that the coolant temp increases due to the extra load on the engine from the alternator but where does the electrical energy go?