Vehicle engineers are employing sophisticated investigation techniques in order to reduce vehicle downtime and cut the cost of repairing damage to refuse collection fleets caused by rodent damage.

The TestCam, introduced by on-board vehicle systems diagnostic specialist Eclipse Automotive Technology next month (April 2009), is the latest piece of kit designed to help resolve a range of on-board issues arising from trends in modern vehicle design, and also looks set to help locate wiring damage that's increasingly being caused by rodents.

‘RCVs will always attract rats but a lot of the cabling used in the on-board wiring looms include a compound made with fish oil. That's what leads to the damage because it interests the rats,’ says Nick Eacock, workshop supervisor at Birmingham City Council's Montague Road depot.

With over 1400 specialist vehicles to look after, the fleet managers at BCC are aware that every vehicle off the road not only compromises service levels, but is likely to incur a hefty hire charge to cover its absence. Of all the problems a fleet manager has to face on a daily basis, an RCV that's been disabled by a rodent ranks among the most frustrating of occurrences.

Once onboard an RCV, there are many opportunities for a rat to nest. For example, wherever box sections have been used to strengthen the chassis, a rat can find a haven:

‘Many vehicle manufacturers have also switched to a monocoque design and tubing is often used to strengthen the body,’ adds Eacock. ‘The cabling looms are hidden inside the tubing. It's a nesting opportunity for a rodent and there is potential for cable damage at any point. Finding it takes time and if panels have to be removed, it becomes an expensive job.’ Damaged cabling will trigger a fault code and a dashlight warns of a problem that must be traced using a specialist diagnostic system. BCC uses an Eclipse Testpad that has the advantage of being able to be used to diagnose an extensive range of technical problems on almost any vehicle with OBD technology. This includes vehicles supplied by almost any manufacturer.

First, the diagnostic capabilities of the Eclipse Testpad are employed to find the system with the wiring loom defect. Once connected to the OBD port, this is quickly achieved using a series of on-screen directions. By guiding the mechanic through easy steps, problems are quickly diagnosed on anything from cars and vans, through to large trucks, trailers, buses and coaches. Then the TestCam is used to locate the damaged wiring.

The TestCam is used to locate the damaged wiring.

The TestCam is a mini camera equipped with an integral spotlight. It connects directly to the Eclipse Testpad, via a USB port. It can be directed inside tubing, around or between panels and vehicle bulkheads. A high quality image is displayed clearly on the hand-held screen in real time and a screenshot can be saved and stored for the vehicle repair history and quality standard report. As well as being used to locate the damage and confirm the cause, images can also be emailed directly to an insurer, dealer or bodybuilder to ensure that the most appropriate remedial action is being taken.

Images can also be emailed directly to an insurer, dealer or bodybuilder to ensure that remedial action is being taken.

For example, TestCam images can also be used to confirm the identity of faulty vehicle components and may even be used to provide evidence that the source of the problem is a consequence of the vehicle design itself.

‘If an automatic gearbox has been installed, and cross-members have been inappropriately removed to accommodate the vehicle modifications, for instance, additional stresses and strains have been known to create other problems’, says Richard Parkin, a director at Eclipse Automotive Technology.

Hand-held mini-camera inspection technology is available from a range of suppliers but the dedicated screens can be on the small side and the image resolution can be inconclusive.

BCC's Nick Eacock is attracted by the potential offered by the integration of the TestCam and the Eclipse Testpad, which has also wi-fi capability and additional roadside applications for big fleet users.

BCC is one of the first Local Authorities in the UK to receive a TestCam.