Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company has introduced its new Cargobull Liftgate Battery Charger.
The charger is available exclusively on Utility’s 3000R refrigerated trailers with Cargobull’s low-emission transport refrigeration units, keeping liftgate batteries topped off and in optimum charge condition.
The new liftgate battery charging system is entirely separate from the charger that maintains the Cargobull 625 and 655MT Hybrid TRUs’ starting battery. Conveniently located close to the liftgate battery pack, it routes 480 volts through a high-quality conduit to protect the cable from normal wear and tear.
“During delivery routes requiring a dozen or more operations of the liftgate, keeping batteries fully charged can greatly increase the serviceable life of the liftgate battery, especially if they also provide power to interior and exterior lights,” said Utility Trailer President and COO, Steve Bennett. “Consistently running batteries down to low levels dramatically reduces their lifespan. For example, from what could be as low as a six-month lifespan, this system can double—if not quadruple—the battery’s service life.”
Historically, truck cabs provide the power to recharge liftgate batteries. In real-world operation, however, drivers often don’t connect the two-pole connector from the truck, or fleets lease trucks that don’t include them. When drivers do use their truck connectors, the voltage from the truck alternator can be as low as 13.5 volts by the time it reaches the liftgate battery pack.
“The cost of a new liftgate battery isn’t substantial, but the inconvenience and cost of scheduling a service call is a real issue for many fleet operators,” Bennett said. “While other manufacturers may offer a TRU charging system, their battery chargers are located inside the TRU. Placing the Cargobull Liftgate Battery Charger near the liftgate battery pack is a unique and innovative differentiator that helps provide batteries a more consistent voltage and allows the solid-state charger to accurately monitor battery temperatures for fast charging without overheating.”
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