Engine Start Module - Maxwell Technologies

TeamCaffee · Oct 24, 2013

Bob has written a blog about the ESM that is a new addition to our truck.

This is new technology from Maxwell Technologies that replaces one battery with an ultra capacitor. This module connects between the batteries and the starter. As long as the batteries have enough voltage to start the ECM and energize the starter solenoid the ESM will start the truck.

- See more at: Engine Start Module

This is a link to the Maxwell web site
Maxwell Technologies Engine Start Module: for saving money, it's the fleet service manager's choice

Is anyone else using one of these?

jjoerger · Oct 24, 2013

Sounds like a good idea.
How much $$$ ???

Sent from my EVO using EO Forums mobile app

davekc · Oct 24, 2013

My concern is only a couple of service points and no real indication of shelf life. The other thought is with a additional capacitor installed in the starting system, does that void a manufacturers warranty?

Turtle · Oct 24, 2013

davekc said:
My concern is only a couple of service points and no real indication of shelf life. The other thought is with a additional capacitor installed in the starting system, does that void a manufacturers warranty?

No, it won't void the warranty. Shelf life (in regular use) is about 4.

Couple of points...

Regular truck batteries are good for about a few thousands start/recharge cycles, 5-7 years, assuming you think they are cranking batteries and not some kind of a house battery bank for use with inverters and other 12-volt house draws while parked.

Once it's been used to start the engine, the alternator will require just as much power to recharge it that it does to recharge the cranking batteries after they are used to start the engine. The amps required to start the engine will be replaced into the capacitor in about 15 minutes. But that's the same with cranking batteries.

The benefit is to those who don't have a house battery bank and think the truck batteries are supposed to be used for that (most truckers, I would think). You can run the batteries down dead, dead, dead and it won't affect the capacitor at all. So, with the capacitor installed, you effectively turn your remaining truck batteries into a house bank. It's certainly a quick and easy way to install a house bank without having to actually install one.

Installing a separate house bank for inverter and other household loads, including battery isolator, cabling and fuses, it considerably cheaper than the capacitor, though ($1000 to $1500 depending on which one you get). But for those who don't have the time or knowledge to properly install a house bank, or those who don't want to add 200 or 300 pounds to their empty weight, an engine start capacitor is certainly an attractive option.

moose · Oct 24, 2013

One day you guys will simply run out of gadgets

....

Turtle · Oct 24, 2013

run...out...of gadgets?

OH, NOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Refer Hauler · Oct 25, 2013

"Regular truck batteries are good for about a few thousands start/recharge cycles, 5-7 years"

I must be buying bad batteries or doing something wrong. I get 3 years at most, with very limited idle. So now I just change out all 4 batteries every other year when I shut down for the holidays, cheaper than getting road service to jump it! I also change air drier, fan belts & belt tension idler on same schedule. Brakes every year.

Over doing it, probably, issues on road with these items, No

TeamCaffee · Oct 26, 2013

Sorry Moose we still have gadgets up our sleeve...

Next is solar power and I believe you should have saw their booth at the OOIDA Show. eNow Energy Solutions for Transportation.

eNow Energy Solutions for Transportation, Solar panels for your trucking fleet

We have the solar panel we now need the time and the heat to get it installed.

moose · Oct 26, 2013

i did spent time in their booth.
i cam to the conclusion that IN MY BUSINESS, i can do better investing elsewhere.
i also felt that the technology is simply not there yet to effectively reduced costs.
one of the questions i asked was: will they provide future upgrades 'at costs'. the answer was no.
i AM interesting to see what kind of a business plan YOU came up with to justify such an investment.

on a side not :
AirDog fuel properation system DID provide me with an 'at cost' upgrade during the show.
& yes, they guarantee that years ago when i bought the system.
sometime it's not about the product, but about the costumer service. eNow needs to understand the needs of small business truckers. please DO communicate that fact with them when you do business.
as you know, OPS1 as well do not provide 'at cost' upgrade for dedicated costumers. dash cam do not provide it as well, and so on.
sorry, but this is an important part of my buying decisions.

TeamCaffee · Oct 27, 2013

Moose we run a vastly different operation then you do. We sit longer then you do and we have a lot larger sleeper then you do that runs a lot of "gadgets".

Our goal is to not have to use the generator as much and look for what will work for our next truck.