Local Interconnect Network, or LIN, regulators are not new—they’ve been used in the automotive industry for two decades. What’s new, though, is how they are being leveraged in the commercial vehicle sector, and we are excited to partner with manufacturers to adopt Delco Remy LIN-controlled alternators for their applications.
What is a LIN Regulator?
“A LIN regulator enables the vehicle ECU to enhance the capabilities of the traditional alternator/regulator,” explains Rob Steele, Senior Staff Engineer. “A LIN regulator is an expansion of the traditional regulator in that it still regulates the system voltage, but also has a Local Interconnect Network—LIN—module. LIN provides bi-directional communication capabilities with the vehicle data system.”
Steele says manufacturers can use one LIN regulator for all applications and include various OE pre-sets. He also points out that LIN regulators are vehicle and application specific.
Benefits of LIN Regulators
OEs in the commercial vehicle industry are leading the charge with LIN regulators because of the many benefits:
- Better battery life management
- Greater fuel economy
- Increased efficiency
- Improved emissions
- More functionality
Steele says these benefits are realized when the charging system and vehicle data can be shared and used to adjust the regulated voltage to achieve the desired results. Additionally, because these systems are controlled by the vehicle ECU, applications using LIN-equipped alternators provide another benefit to the manufacturer: scalability.
