European manufacturer Skeleton Technologies has announced the availability of a new 24V engine start module (SkelStart ESM), which uses ultracapacitor technology to ensure engine start at any time, in any conditions. Ultracapacitors are highly efficient and able to provide much higher currents of power than lead acid batteries. They can also charge and discharge millions of times, offering lifetimes up to 500 times longer than batteries. Crucially for drivers in colder climates, the technology can operate in temperatures as low as -85° F.
With the SkelStart ESM, the ultracapacitors, not the batteries, provide the power required to start the truck engine. The batteries are then only required to provide low power loads once the engine is up and running. This will help fleets deal with the problem of an engine not starting due to cold, depletion or periods of inactivity.
The company pledges that this technology may have the potential to eliminate the expensive downtime that truck drivers and fleet operators often experience as a result of dead batteries.
Priit Tamme manages a fleet on behalf a major freight forwarding and logistics company that operates across the Baltic region. After experiencing repeated problems with dead batteries in cold weather his company, Mareen, chose to trial the SkelStart ESM on its vehicles.
“Since installing the SkelStart ESM we have had no starting problems whatsoever,” he explains. “The unit is particularly useful when the engine cannot be kept idling because of local restrictions and when the batteries have been drained from using the lift gate. Previously we were changing the batteries every two years but we expect much longer battery life using the SkelStart ESM. We are now looking at installing the technology across our fleet.”
Märt Pikkani, head of module development at Skeleton Technologies, explains: “With a very simple installation, truck owners and fleet operators can significantly improve the efficiency of their fleet. The SkelStart ESM delivers fuel savings, up to 50% extended battery life, faster cranking, reliable starting, well-rested drivers and reduced pollution.”
