PHOENIX Rising: Heavy-Duty Upgrades
Did you know your Phoenix series professional diagnostic tool is only a quick upgrade away from being able to troubleshoot Heavy-Duty applications? The TOPDON Heavy-Duty Software & Cable Set can transform your Phoenix Max, Phoenix Smart, Phoenix Remote, and Phoenix XLink into an extraordinarily versatile tool at home in both the Light-Duty and Heavy-Duty markets.
The Heavy-Duty Software & Cable Set is one upgrade that can open a lot of doors for shops and technicians. “There are a lot of shops that straddle the line between Heavy-Duty and Light-Duty work,” said Haakan Light, USA Training and Development Manager for TOPDON. “They may run a tow operation servicing both Heavy-Duty and Light-Duty vehicles, plus they do vehicle repair, or they are in an area with a lot of farm equipment they are called to service. This software and cable kit gives them great versatility in terms of coverage.” Valuable features include bi-directional controls and many special functions across a wide variety of vehicles such as diesel DPF regenerations, Variable Geometry Turbocharger Relearns, and much more.
“Diesel regenerations are a big issue for anything that has a DPF system on it,” Light said. “The tow alone could be $1000 for those Heavy-Duty trucks, and if it’s just a lock-out because it needs a standing regen, now the tow outfit can go do the standing regen right there on the side of the road, put the vehicle back in operation, charge a very reasonable price to do that service, and in a handful of regens basically make all of the money back for the software.”
Popular on- and off-road vehicles and equipment can be serviced, including from Cummins, Paccar, Kenworth, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, and many others. To review the depth of coverage the add-on software provides, consult the Heavy Duty Vehicle Coverage list of trucks, buses, machinery, engines, and ABS systems posted on the TOPDON website as a downloadable pdf.
Having expanded coverage with the Heavy-Duty software package opens additional options in the Medium-Duty market as well. “Love it. Great addition to the shop,” reports customer John S., a fleet manager and mechanic, in his HD Software and Cable Set product review.
The HD 6-pin and 9-pin cables that come in the set are also available separately, for those wanting spares or needing replacements. Additional specialty cables and pin connectors for specific HD applications, such as Kubota, are also available through the TOPDON website.
The OE-level Phoenix series tools offer cloud-based programming, CAN FD support, bi-directional control, topology mapping, 41+ service functions, and 2 years of free software updates. But each offers specific features that can help you tailor the tool to your particular HD needs.
A lot of people like the fact the Remote and the XLink can charge via the OBD port, so if you happen to forget to charge it, you can plug it into the OBD port, no big deal,” Light said. “That is a unique benefit of the Remote and XLink. Because it’s a hard wired cable tool, it’s also a lot harder to forget in the car.” In addition, TOPDON offers an OBDII extension cable for technicians who, for example, may want to set the device on the passenger seat while they do a test drive for diagnosis.
The Phoenix Smart and Phoenix Max offer full system diagnosis for more than 200 vehicle brands, and are compatible with TOPDON’s Phoenix Scope oscilloscope. “Using the Scope gives you greater, deeper insight,” Light advised. “And dealing with Heavy-Duty vehicles, obviously the cost of making the wrong call is a lot more expensive.”
The Smart supports Bluetooth and USB connectivity, while the Max supports, Bluetooth, USB, or wi-fi connectivity for greater speed and range. The Max utilizes a large 13.3-inch touch screen, with blazing fast screen shots for data acquisition. It uses a semi-open Android format, allowing side-loading of additional apps.
The TOPDON Heavy-Duty Software & Cable Set delivers unmatched versatility to your Phoenix tablet, especially for the relative cost. In the HD market, the machinery is powerful, and so is the cost to service it. This upgrade to your Phoenix tool can provide an equally powerful return on investment. If the time is right for your business to get off the sidelines and into the HD game, TOPDON has all the upgrades you need to play in the big leagues.