§ 171.20. Electrical system.
(a) Battery. The requirements for the battery are as follows:
(1) The battery shall have a minimum cold cranking capacity rating equal to the cranking current required for 30 seconds at 0° F (-17.8° C) and a minimum reserve capacity rating of 120 minutes at 25 amp. Higher capacities may be required dependent upon optional equipment and local environmental conditions.
(2) Batteries in Type B, C and D school buses shall be mounted on a sliding tray.
(b) Generator or alternator. Requirements for generators and alternators are as follows:
(1) Every Type A and B school bus up to 15,000 pounds GVWR shall have a minimum 60 ampere per hour alternator.
(2) Every Type B school bus over 15,000 pounds GVWR and every Type C and D school bus shall be equipped with an alternator meeting SAE Standard J180b—See Appendix A—with a minimum output rating of 100 amperes, capable of producing a minimum of 50% of its maximum rated output at the engine manufacturer’s recommended idle speed.
(3) Every school bus equipped with an electrical power lift shall have a minimum 100 ampere per hour alternator.
(4) A direct drive generator or alternator is permissible in lieu of belt drive. Belt drive shall be capable of handling the rated capacity of the generator or alternator with no detrimental effect on other driven components.
(5) Refer to SBMI Design Objectives Booklet. See Appendix A—for required generator or alternator capacity.
(c) Wiring. Requirements for wiring are as follows: Wiring shall conform to current applicable SAE Standards. Wiring and circuits shall be of a standard color and number coding and each chassis shall have a wiring diagram and circuit that coincides with the wiring and circuitry of the chassis.
Authority The provisions of this § 171.20 amended under the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S. § § 4103, 4551—4553 and 6103.
Source The provisions of this § 171.20 adopted August 19, 1983, effective August 20, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 2561; readopted December 4, 1987, effective December 5, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 5052; amended September 13, 1996, effective September 14, 1996, 26 Pa.B. 4411; amended May 20, 2005, effective May 21, 2005, 35 Pa.B. 3039. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (219606) and (301813).
Cross References This section cited in 67 Pa. Code § 171.43 (relating to battery).
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