Reliable and powerful batteries are essential to work trucks. Fitted with a variety of tools, auxiliary equipment and electronics that need a constant power source, these trucks have traditionally relied on idling engines and generators to meet their power needs.
Those solutions, however, are a source of emissions and noise. Additionally, they come at a cost for fuel, maintenance, and wear and tear that can negatively impact a company’s bottom line.
A growing and viable alternative to those approaches for powering auxiliary equipment in work trucks of all kinds is to use lithium-ion batteries. The technology was the subject of a Li-MITLESS ENERGY Podcast produced by Dragonfly Energy, a supplier of deep cycle lithium-ion batteries that are displacing lead-acid batteries across a wide range of markets.
Historically, AGM lead acid batteries have been used to meet the needs of different types of working loads, especially in work or utility trucks, noted Dragonfly Energy OEM Product Manager, Steve Carlson.
“We’re not talking about cranking batteries in trucks,” he related. “It’s auxiliary batteries for running equipment to charge tools and power other items and today, lithium-ion batteries can make a big difference.
“They can help eliminate idling and replace generators on most work vehicles, or at least not have to use them as much,” Carlson added. “They can also allow fleets to downsize generators into battery chargers rather than being the actual source of power.”
Solutions for Work Truck Applications
Dragonfly Energy solutions tailored for work truck operations include the company’s Battle Born Batteries. The drop-in replacement for lead acid batteries is built using safe LiFePO4 chemistry and UL-Listed cylindrical cells, and features 100% depth of discharge and a proprietary battery management system.
All-in-one power systems are also offered by Dragonfly. The clean and silent solution as an alternative to generators are available in custom configurations for volume orders and feature quick and simple setup with limited installation requirements.
OEM power systems are available from Dragonfly as well. The custom-engineered power solutions are designed and engineered to meet the unique requirements of manufacturers.
To meet the growing demand for increased power capacity in mobile applications, Dragonfly Energy also recently introduced next-generation power charging solutions as part of its Wakespeed product line.
“The demand for larger and higher voltage battery banks in mobile applications continues to grow,” said Wade Seaburg, chief revenue officer of Dragonfly Energy. “However, physical space constraints often limit such expansion. Our new Wakespeed products address this challenge by enabling significantly faster charging while maintaining safety and reliability, effectively extending the capabilities of existing battery systems.”
The two new products, according to Dragonfly, optimize mobile power systems by unlocking faster charging speeds, increasing efficiency, and seamlessly integrating with numerous battery systems, including the company’s Battle Born Batteries. The offerings include:
The new solutions, according to Dragonfly, represent a significant leap forward in mobile power management, with the potential to transform energy systems for different applications. “The evolution of these products simplifies systems significantly as we see an increase in mixed 12v and 48v deployments,” added Al Thomason, senior application engineer at Dragonfly Energy.
Realizing an Immediate ROI
Initially announced to support Dragonfly Energy’s Battle Born all-electric APU for heavy-duty trucks, the challenge of deploying and maintaining lithium-ion power systems can be addressed effectively by the Instant ROI and VeloCare programs from Velociti Inc., a global provider of technology deployment, maintenance and integration solutions.
Successfully used by fleets for a variety of technologies and solutions, the Instant ROI program allows fleets to advance the use of their savings to pay for the technology, installation, and support services for the life of the solution.
“We created our Instant ROI program many years ago to bridge the gap between the technology our fleet customers desired and their ability to implement it due to hurdles like upfront investment and integration challenges,” said Deryk Powell, president of Velociti. “We’re constantly adding cutting-edge technologies we believe will give our fleet customers a competitive edge in challenging economic and regulatory conditions.”
Velociti’s Instant ROI program allows customers to be cash positive from day one of a technology investment by providing deferred billing during the installation portion of a deployment project, and extended payment terms on the entire hardware, software, installation and support solution.
The VeloCare program from Velociti provides proactive system health monitoring and comprehensive support, including field repairs using Velociti’s nationwide team of highly trained and skilled technicians.
“With VeloCare and Instant ROI from Velociti we are able to offer our customers a way to realize savings faster and better protect their investment in our technology,” said Wade Seaburg, chief revenue officer at Dragonfly Energy. “The ease of working with a single provider for deployment and support needs means fleets will have a more streamlined and comprehensive approach to reduce their environmental impact.”
Powering On- and Off-Board Equipment
Velociti is also the provider of technology deployment services for Stealth Power, an electric mobile power solutions provider. Stealth Power’s Vehicle Power System (VPS) is designed to run onboard equipment, auxiliary devices and provide an external power source for offboard equipment - all with the vehicle’s engine turned off.
Additionally, Stealth Power designs standalone, scalable solutions for remote applications. The company’s Mobile Power System (MPS) provides clean, reliable power for on-site electrical equipment, such as wireless towers and during disaster relief operations.
“Stealth Power’s mission is to provide reliable mobile electric power systems that reduce fuel and maintenance costs while lowering carbon emissions,” said Devin Scott, CEO of Stealth Power. “This partnership with Velociti brings industry expertise and installation capabilities that enable us to meet rapidly increasing market demand.”
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