Exide introduces hand-held battery tester for the commercial vehicle market
Princeton, New Jersey, September 22 -- Exide Technologies, a global leader in stored electrical-energy solutions, recently announced the introduction of the EBT 255 hand held battery tester to the commercial vehicle market. The device is a heavy-duty version of the EBT 155 Plus, the popular hand-held automotive battery tester that Exide launched last year.
Like its automotive counterpart, the EBT 255 is suitable for testing batteries ranging from 640 to 1980 EN cold cranking amps (CCAs). With a quick connect of the leads to the battery terminal, its red/amber/green blinking light system accurately tests the state of charge of the battery in seconds. The small, lightweight, affordable tester also can test batteries in a discharged state and features a robust construction that, unlike some competitive testers, is not at risk for sparks. Prior to its introduction, the EBT 255, with an internal resistance value adapted to European specific gravity, was tested on more than 1,000 batteries in a UK laboratory. The device also complies with industry standards such as EN, SAE, DIN and MCA.
Technological advances in communications, geographic positioning systems and various electronic engine components make today's commercial vehicles increasingly reliant on battery-powered devices. For example, inner city buses are fitted with automatic doors and lifts for passengers with disabilities, auxiliary heaters and card swipe readers. Commercial trucks and service fleets are equipped with vehicle tracking mechanisms and on-board computers that deliver routing and dispatch instructions. By consequence, it is imperative that the state of charge of the batteries supporting these devices be monitored. One of the most costly problems a fleet owner can face is vehicle breakdown caused by battery failure. The costs of retrieving a disabled vehicle alone can be substantial; delayed deliveries, cargo, and passengers who must be transferred to other vehicles simply compound the losses.
"The EBT 255 hand held commercial battery tester provides better operational economy because it allows the fleet owner/operator to test batteries in seconds, resulting in the prevention of unforeseen breakdowns, added costs, delays and dissatisfied customers," said David Enstone, President of the Exide Technologies Transportation Business Group. "The EBT 255 works to ensure the success of our customers -- helping them to develop a routine preventative maintenance testing process that will allow their fleet vehicles to operate at maximum efficiency."
- About Exide Technologies
Exide Technologies, with operations in 89 countries and fiscal 2003 net sales of approximately US$2.4 billion, is one of the world's largest producers and recyclers of lead-acid batteries. The company's two global business groups -- industrial energy and transportation -- provide a comprehensive range of stored electrical energy products and services for industrial and transportation applications.
Industrial uses include network power applications such as telecommunications systems, electric utilities, railroads, photovoltaic (solar-power related) and uninterruptible power supply (UPS); and motive-power applications for a broad range of equipment uses, including lift trucks, mining vehicles and commercial vehicles.
Transportation applications include automotive, heavy-duty truck, agricultural and marine, as well as new technologies being developed for hybrid vehicles and new 42-volt automotive applications. The company supplies both aftermarket and original-equipment transportation customers.
