eNow has announced the availability of its Wireless Monitoring System for commercial transportation. The primary purpose of the system, the company says, is to provide commercial vehicles with a state of charge and state of health of the batteries.
According to the company, a key advantage of eNow’s solution is that it looks at both the source and usage of power, enabling one to understand the power balance between all inputs and outputs. As such it is both a battery and power management system, with the ability to also monitor air conditioning, hotel loads, and liftgate usage. Data is stored in the cloud and can be accessed via smartphone, computer or tablet.
eNow’s new sensors can now provide a better management view of the battery health of an entire truck fleet and can be monitored from a remote location and displayed on a smartphone. Such monitoring can prevent problems such as liftgate failure due to lack of battery power, the company said.
The wireless battery monitor is a device that collects data on the charging and discharging of a battery or bank of batteries. It is typically located near the battery. The current flowing in and out of the battery is measured by installing the device in series with the negative or positive leads of the battery. The device measures the voltage of the battery. It includes a temperature sensor either built into the device or externally that will connect to the battery case or terminal. It also has a real-time clock, memory, and internal battery to maintain data and time when not connected to a power source or the cloud.
“This new solution fits in with our overall vision to make life easier and more prosperous for fleet owners and commercial drivers as well as to help the environment,” said Jeff Flath, founder and chief executive officer of eNow. “Preventative maintenance saves both time and money, which is what this system enables one to do. Combine that with the most powerful solar panels for transportation in the industry and you have a win-win situation all around.”