Maxwell Technologies Introduces 24-Volt, Ultracapacitor- Engine Start Module (ESM) for Industrial Equipment

New ESM improves starting reliability and uptime in industrial diesel engine equipment

Maxwell Technologies announces the availability of 24-volt ultracapacitor Engine Start Module (ESM). The module is ideal for improving equipment lifetime and power reliability in buses, off-road trucks and industrial vehicles, such as cranes, backhoes, bulldozers, graders, pavers, portable compressors and other equipment with diesel engines. The 24-volt ESM enables vehicles to start and operate reliably in cold weather conditions and infrequent starting. The new product is built on the success of 12-volt module and delivers benefits to diesel engine vehicles used in transportation, construction, military, agricultural, forestry and mining.

When faced with extended periods of non-use or low temperatures, diesel engines are often difficult to start. The 24-volt module takes over the engine cranking and starting function by remaining fully charged, even if battery voltage drops significantly.

Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) integrating 24-volt ESM will improve vehicle’s quality and increase productivity for their customers by helping them avoid the common problems experienced when using lead-acid batteries to start diesel engines.

“Maxwell’s 24-volt ESM enables our 6.7 liter diesel-equipped machines to successfully start at arctic temperatures, even with batteries that have been intentionally drained,” said Charles Hedrick III, control systems and electrical engineer at Manitowoc Cranes, a major manufacturer of industrial cranes and a user of the 24-volt ESM. “By removing the batteries from the cranking equation, the ESM allows machines to provide stable power to sensitive electronics, preventing the problems that coincide with trying to start a machine with dead batteries.”

Jeff Brakley, senior business portfolio manager at Maxwell Technologies, said, “We always strive to bring our customers new technologies that make it easier to conduct business effectively. The addition of the 24-volt ESM brings the benefits of reliable starting to a wider market, minimizing the effects of low temperatures and long periods of downtime for companies in the transportation, construction, agriculture, forestry and mining industries."

There are two models of the 24-volt ESM: The ULTRA 31/900/24V for starting diesel engines up to 12.5 liters and the ULTRA 31/1100/24V for engines up to 15.0 liters. Both are packaged in BCI Group 31 form factor.

Unlike batteries, which produce and store energy by means of a chemical reaction, ultracapacitors store energy in an electric field. This electrostatic energy storage mechanism enables ultracapacitors to charge and discharge in as little as fractions of a second, perform normally over a broad temperature range (-40 degrees Celsius to +65 degrees Celsius), operate reliably in up to 1 million or more charge/discharge cycles and resist shock and vibration. Maxwell offers ultracapacitor cells ranging in capacitance from one to 3,400 farads and multi-cell modules ranging from 12 to 160 volts.

Additional Maxwell Technologies information:
Features and downloads for the ESM line: http://www.maxwell.com/esm
Maxwell Technologies on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Maxwell_Tech
Maxwell Technologies on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/10e2nPA
Maxwell Technologies on LinkedIn: http://linkd.in/Z4737Y
Maxwell Technologies on Google+: https://plus.google.com/+MaxwellTech

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