Method and apparatus to elevate the engine idle to allow battery charging during the operation of a snow plow or other accessory

Abstract

A vehicle 10 includes an accessory system 40 coupled to an engine control module 26. The accessory system 40 may, for example, be a snow plow. The accessory system 40 is coupled to a first pin 30 and a second pin 32 of the engine control module. When both of the pins are high, the idle speed of an engine 12 is raised so that the speed of the alternator 14 is raised so that a battery 16 may maintain a charging level on the battery.

1 . A vehicle system comprising 
 an engine control module; and    an accessory coupled to a first pin and a second pin of the engine control module;    said engine control module increasing an idle speed in response to the first pin and the second pin being high.    
   
   
       2 . A vehicle system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said engine control module increasing an idle speed in response to the first pin and the second pin being high when the vehicle is in a drive mode.  
   
   
       3 . A vehicle system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the accessory is a snow plow module and a snow plow switch.  
   
   
       4 . A vehicle system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the snow plow switch is coupled to a run feed.  
   
   
       5 . A vehicle system as recited in  claim 1  wherein increasing an idle speed comprises increasing the idle speed by a predetermined speed.  
   
   
       6 . A vehicle system as recited in  claim 1  further comprising an engine fan having an engine fan speed, wherein said engine control module changes an engine fan speed when the first pin and the second pin are high.  
   
   
       7 . A vehicle system as recited in  claim 1  further comprising an engine fan having an engine fan speed, wherein said engine control module changes an engine fan speed when the first pin and the second pin are high and a parking brake is off.  
   
   
       8 . A method of operating a vehicle system comprising: 
 determining when a first pin and a second pin of the engine control module connector is coupled high by an accessory; and increasing an idle speed in response to the first pin and the second pin being high.    
   
   
       9 . A method as recited in  claim 8  wherein the accessory comprises a snow plow.  
   
   
       10 . A method as recited in  claim 8  wherein the accessory comprises a snow plow module and a snow plow switch.  
   
   
       11 . A method as recited in  claim 10  wherein the snow plow switch is coupled to a run feed.  
   
   
       12 . A method as recited in  claim 8  wherein increasing an idle speed comprises increasing the idle speed by a predetermined speed.  
   
   
       13 . A method as recited in  claim 8  further comprising changing an engine fan speed when the first pin and the second pin are high.  
   
   
       14 . A method as recited in  claim 8  further comprising changing an engine fan speed when the first pin and the second pin are high and a parking brake is off.  
   
   
       15 . A method of controlling a vehicle comprising: coupling a snow plow switch to a vehicle first pin and second pin; and when the first pin and the second pin are high, increasing the idle speed of the vehicle by a predetermined speed.  
   
   
       16 . A method as recited in  claim 15  wherein the first vehicle pin and the second vehicle pin are coupled to the engine control module.  
   
   
       17 . A method as recited in  claim 15  wherein the predetermined speed is about 200 rpms.  
   
   
       18 . A method as recited in  claim 15  further comprising changing an engine fan speed when the first pin and the second pin are high.  
   
   
       19 . A method as recited in  claim 15  further comprising changing an engine fan speed when the first pin and the second pin are high and a parking brake is off.  
   
   
       20 . A method as recited in  claim 15  wherein the snow plow switch is coupled to a run feed.