Being as I have a dedicated second alternator capable of generating 2000 watts of charging power. Of course, that much is not available at standard idle speeds. There are some detailed write ups on doing this outlined in the Ford Transit BEMM. A couple of people on the Transit Forum were able to successfully use their high idle system.
I then found a reference to this product from Intermotive Vehicle Control. With this device I can bypass all the external wiring to the Ford System. Instead, we will go through CAN-Bus to achieve our goal. They have multiple products that will do the job on my 2020 Transit. B-AFIS506VSX-BP: Up to 3 programmable speeds; and B-AFIS507VSX-BP: 1 programmable speed; AC auto trigger on. I chose B-AFIS506VSX-BP as it would give me the ability to choose three speeds. I should note that the speeds can be programmed between 900 and 2000 RPM if the engine is capable. I suspect that I don’t really need the three speeds, but it doesn’t really complicate the installation. This was also driven by finding a vary compact 4 position switc,. Off-On-On-On for the installation.
All InterMotive products are sold through our master distributor, LGS Group, Inc . They have a placing orders page on their web site. Here they have a form to fill out, you can email that into the provided email. You can always just call, also. Overall the process was painless, but there was a six week lead time when I ordered. Just explain to them what year and what features you have, and they will hook you up with the correct setup.
The unit comes with a couple of options to connect to the CAN-Bus or OBDII. For my 2020 Transit the OBDII port is on the Gateway Module. My unit comes with a 24-pin-T harness that plugs into the other side of Gateway Module. It is a pass thru cable that taps into the HS CAN bus (same CAN going to OBDII port. This allows their module to be connected to the bus but allows use of the OBDII port.
There are 4 other wires from the control unit, (green) input 1 High RPM, (white) Input 2 Med RPM, (yellow) Input 3 low RPM, and a gray wire that is used for configuring RPM speed. I will attach the wires in order on my switch to have the Switch 0 be off, Switch 1 Low RPM, Switch 2 Med RPM and Switch 3 Hi RPM. The common pin is connected to the ground. The other two pins are for illumination, I will tap into the existing lines going to the Wakespeed (alternator) enable switch for illumination.
I will simply remove the connection to the back of the Gateway Module and install my 24 Pin - T- Harness. The switch will run behind the driver side windshield trim and go over to the overhead console. I have already run a switch for the alternator enable up their so I will use same switch illumination that that I got from the CH-33 connector. After that the switch will have an input that is ground, and it will be tied to three outputs tied to input of the Intermotive module.
I disconnected the battery per instructions for installing the T- harness, I already have a perimeter alarm and start/stop disable device in this location.
After connecting the T harness, I tidy up the wires and put things back together.
I mounted the Intermotive control board on the back of the Storage Bin on the driver side. This can easily be popped out to mounter the LED’s if needed.
At the same time, I decided to install an Amp Research override switch. I have had this around for some time but have been tardy in getting this done. This is really a simple installation, there is an existing 8 Pin connector on my control module. I simply must remove the plugs from pin 5,6 & 7 and insert the appropriate wires (the pins are already installed)
I can now run these wires with the ones from the Fast Idle Control up through the dash and the windshield pillar to the overhead console. Here I have mounted the included Amp Research (on - off – on) Switch. Some care must be taken in my wire bundle as I have two green and two white wires. It takes a little bit to get the wires into the console space. I already have a good grounding point up there for the Fast Idle Ground connection.
Now I need to install the two switches. I already have a bank of Contura Switches there for my charge enable and camera control. Because my mind likes symmetry, I decided to mount the fast idle switch on the left of the Contura V switches and the amp override switch on the right.
Now it comes down to putting the connector on the wires, labeling, and connecting the wires. When it came to extending the switch illumination wires from the existing Contura V switch I found I didn’t have small enough connectors in stock. I could probably solder them on, but that would make it difficult if I need to bring the console down. As such I left them off.
With both items hooked up it is now time to run some tests. First, we check out the Amp Research Override switch. It appears to work as intended. The next test is to run through the different speeds for the high idle device.
All is working great, now we need to check out the secondary alternator output. All is good, the battery monitor is showing 140 amps, which is what the Wakespeed Controller is set up to at the moment. This was at high idle. I will have to play around a bit, but so far things are looking great.
