Enersys launches Wi-IQ wireless battery monitor

Enersys Motive Power has launched Wi-IQ, a wireless battery monitoring device that can be fitted to all motive power batteries.

The Wi-IQ enables information on charge, temperature and voltage, as well as low electrolyte level, to be uploaded wirelessly to a PC for data analysis.

Used in conjunction with Wi-IQ Report analysis software, the electronic device enables accurate and immediate reports on the condition of all batteries in one location as well as any action required for their maintenance.

In order to maximise uptime of electric-powered vehicles, batteries must be charged correctly as well as discharged to the optimum level.

When both these elements of battery management are correct, charging frequency and battery changes can be reduced.

Enersys estimates a 20 per cent reduction in battery change frequency based on a five-minute changeover period on a 24/7 shift pattern can save over 11 hours per truck downtime per year.

Similarly savings made as a result of optimum maintenance and charging bring benefits to the overall cost of electricity used.

Wi-IQ can be used with most designs of flooded and maintenance-free batteries and has a wireless communication range of 30m.

A Wi-IQ unit is fitted to the main DC cable of each battery.

LEDs provide real-time status of the battery's condition and the unit stores data on up to 2,555 charging cycle records using its in-built electronic memory.

A temperature warning advises if charging should be terminated and any voltage imbalance can be identified before possible battery failure occurs.

An optional additional probe can be supplied to indicate a battery's low electrolyte level and when it should be topped up.

Where Wi-IQ is used in short-term rental situations, the unit's memory settings can easily be re-set to monitor utilisation during the rental contract.

Wi-IQ Report helps warehouse management staff keep on top of fleet battery management by enabling reports to be produced by battery, by truck family or by battery condition, depth of discharge or other diagnostic indicators.

By attaching the USB wireless key to a laptop computer loaded with Wi-IQ Report, an entire battery room can be monitored, and the pattern of use, charging and discharge history of the entire battery fleet can be analysed.

Wi-IQ Report runs on Windows 2000, XP or Vista with data uploaded to an SQL database.

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