We’ve often been asked if circuit breakers can be used as system disconnects in police cars and other vehicles with a large number of electrical accessories. Although using a circuit breaker this way may seem practical or cost-effective, it’s important to be aware of certain risks since most circuit breakers have not been designed for routine On/Off use.
Topics: Battery Management
As commercial vehicles evolve, so does the need for increased protection of their electrical systems.
Modern vehicles have more auxiliary units drawing battery power than ever before. In the past, when vehicles were powered off, so were all electrical loads. Now, many of today’s commercial trucks require electricity full time.
Battery management is critical because increased loads, when not managed properly, can draw down batteries, leading to stalls and breakdowns.
Topics: New Products, Resources & Tools, Battery Management, Switches
When it comes to battery management, battery isolators and automatic charging relays (also called ACRs or voltage sensitive relays) are both used to safeguard reserve battery power to prevent breakdowns and protect other vital vehicle or boat functions.
So, how are these two components different? Is one better than the other? When should you choose one over the other? Here are some things to keep in mind.
Topics: Resources & Tools, Buying Guides, Battery Management, Battery Isolators, ACRs
Controlling parasitic loads (battery drain) and properly distributing electrical power is crucial to keeping vehicles working. However, this requires balancing the needs of the battery against those of the electrical system.
Topics: Battery Management, Battery Isolators, Battery Separators
The battery cable is among the most important components in a battery management system. High quality battery cables will help ensure you have power and avoid battery drain—but only if they are properly sized, installed and maintained.
There are two things you must absolutely double-check when selecting your battery cables.
Topics: How To, Resources & Tools, Battery Management, Wire & Cable
Topics: Resources & Tools, Basics, Battery Management, Battery Isolators
Your fleet runs on batteries as much as fuel, and parasitic loads can reduce battery life, strand vehicles, and make life miserable across a fleet. So how do you find parasitic loads, and how do you get rid of them?
Topics: Resources & Tools, Fleet Management, Battery Management
Your fleet runs on batteries, and that makes the battery charging room a crucial link in the chain that is your business operations. So make sure your battery room is optimized to get batteries charged and ready with these tips.
Topics: Resources & Tools, Fleet Management, Battery Management
Most fleets have to balance not just the needs of their customers, but the needs of their drivers, especially when they're out there on the long haul. But how does power conversion factor in to building a happier, more efficient fleet?
Topics: Resources & Tools, Battery Management, Power Inverters
A commercial operation often runs on its batteries. Poorly maintained batteries can take fleets off the road right when they need to be rolling the most. So how can you get more life out of your batteries, and keep up with proper battery management?
Topics: How To, Resources & Tools, Fleet Management, Battery Management
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