An Easy to Use, Fast Battery Tester

The new Astratec BZT1 battery tester provides the user with a method for accurately testing batteries in ten seconds. The BZT1 is a hand held device that uses a unique form of voltage and battery impedance analysis to estimate battery performance. The standard tester works on both 12 and 24 volt batteries but other voltages are also available.

Up to 40 tests are automatically saved within the tester and can be downloaded to a printer or PC spreadsheet, making this a very useful tool for field service applications. Self adhesive markers are available if the user also wants to record the data on the battery. The BZT 1 will find applications in all forms of instrumentation, alarm systems, controls, small electric vehicles, alternative energy and backup power systems.

Genesis XE Battery from Enersys Offers Enhanced Deep Cycle Capabilities

EnerSys has made a new addition to its line of Genesis XE batteries. The new Genesis XE95 is a pure lead-tin battery designed specifically for industrial markets such as gas, oil and mining where deep cycling is important, making it suitable for applications hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).

Because of high volumetric and gravimetric power densities, the XE95 weighs only 75 lbs. and offers more power in less space than conventional batteries. Its rugged construction allows it to be tolerant against high levels of shock, heat and vibration, and its thin plate design gives it a superior high rate discharge capability. The performance features of the 12 V XE95 include a deep cycle capability of 400 cycles at 80 percent depth of discharge (DOD), a two-year shelf life at 25?C (77?F), a superior deep discharge recovery of up to 90 percent recharge in less than an hour, and a wide operating temperature of -40?C to 80?C (-40?F to 176?F) with a metal jacket.

The Genesis XE95 is a valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) absorbed glass mat (AGM) battery. It has M6 female no-maintenance terminals, can be installed in any orientation except inverted, has a UL94 V-O flame retardant case and cover, and is approved by US DOT and IATA as non-hazardous and non-spillable for safe shipping.

The XE95 measures 13 by 6.80 by 9.41-inches (330.2 by 172.7 by 239.0 mm) and has a nominal capacity of 95 Ah. Internal resistance is 2.2 m?, typical short circuit current is 5,000 A, and torque is 150 inch-lbs (16.9 Nm). Pricing for the Genesis XE95 starts at $318.55.

Segway Unveils the Next Generation of Personal Transporters For Police Use

Segway, Inc. has introduced the next generation Segway Personal Transporter (PT), the new Segway i2 and x2, the i2 Police and the x2 Police packages, which are designed specifically for patrol and community policing applications. The new Segway i2 Police and x2 Police feature the LeanSteer technology that makes riding incredibly intuitive, plus a wireless InfoKey controller that provides a theft deterrence system and real-time trip data. Both Police packages also come fully equipped with a complete set of police accessories.

Like their predecessors, the new Segway PTs utilize Segway Smart Motion Technology that enables them to balance and move on two wheels. In addition, the Segway PTs feature two entirely new state-of-the-art innovations, the LeanSteer Technology and a wireless InfoKey controller.

The revolutionary LeanSteer technology responds to the rider's natural inclination to lean into the direction of travel. Now the rider controls all aspects of Segway PT movement simply by leaning his or her body. This produces a uniquely simple and intuitive riding experience. In addition, the design of the Segway PT and its upgraded software allows it to differentiate between the rider's steering and changes in the terrain, keeping the rider stable and comfortable when traveling over uneven ground.

The wireless InfoKey controller functions as a key, an information center and an anti-theft system. Each InfoKey controller is uniquely programmed to work with only one specific Segway PT, and it provides the rider with real-time information on battery life, speed, distance covered and system performance. It is also used to activate the Segway PT's built-in security features to deter unauthorized use.

Segway, Inc. is offering these technologies in two Segway PT models. The i2 model has a range of up to 24 miles, or 480 city blocks, and is well suited for urban and suburban transportation. The x2 model has a wider wheel track and is equipped with all-terrain tires that enable it to travel across rougher surfaces of dirt, gravel or sand. Even on such terrain, its lithium-ion batteries deliver a range of up to 12 miles on a single charge.

When the i2 is equipped with the Police package it becomes the a personal transporter for urban street patrols, community policing initiatives and private security details. The i2 Police includes a handlebar bag for gear, an accessory bar for lights and sirens, a handlebar bumper, reflective police labels, comfort mats, an LED taillight and cargo frames that double as lift handles. The manufacturer's suggested retail price for the i2 Police package is $5,495.

The x2 Police is well suited for patrolling the outdoor environments of parks, recreation areas, trails and campuses. It comes equipped with a handlebar bag, an accessory bar for lights and sirens, a handlebar bumper, reflective police labels, an LED taillight, two universal cargo plates and cargo frames that double as lift handles. The MSRP for the x2 Police package is $5,895.

Sheriff Beth Arthur, Arlington County Sheriff's Office, has equipped her Deputies with Segway PTs to enable them to serve court documents more efficiently.

"Not only are these Deputies able to do their jobs more quickly and efficiently, but they are also reducing our department's fuel costs and vehicle pollution," said Arthur. "We've been able to take two patrol cars off the street and conserve the taxpayers' money. Everything's working out very well."

ZAP Introduces Multi-Purpose Electric Vehicle to Utility, Corporate and Municipal Fleet Managers in California

ZAP is rolling out a new, all-electric vehicle that is designed to address the need for gas-free alternatives in the multi-purpose driving, industrial fleets to utility markets. Called the XEBRA PK, this latest ZAP seats two with a multi-purpose platform behind the passenger compartment that serves as a hauler, dump truck or flatbed. Officials with the ZAP say they had test-marketed a single passenger version, but feedback told them a two-passenger version would be more versatile.

"This vehicle is the result of more than 30 years of research in the EV field," said Gary Starr, a founder of ZAP. "Based on what we are hearing from consumers and ZAP dealers, we believe the potential for the XEBRA PK would be bigger than for the sedan version. It serves a multitude of functions and we feel it is truly unique in the marketplace, a market previously untapped in the auto industry."

ZAP Chairman Starr cited a study that showed more than a third of new car buyers in California would buy an electric vehicle if that vehicle were priced close to a gasoline vehicle and offered similar functionality. XEBRAs are priced at under $10,000. The 2000 Green Car Institute study titled "The Current and Future Market for Electric Vehicles" used the same research methodologies employed by the auto industry to identify markets for gas vehicles.

"Green Car Institute's study put to rest the contention that there is no market for electric vehicles," said Green Car Institute President Ron Cogan. "The challenge is that the new car market is price and feature sensitive, and that created a disconnect with most EV models marketed in the recent past. They were very expensive to manufacture - mostly because of their battery packs and small build numbers - and almost all were available for lease only. Survey respondents wanted affordable EVs they could but, they just didn't exist. Six years after the study, gas prices are even more of an issue for consumers and this potential EV market remains."

That market is presenting itself with the introduction of the XEBRA and the XEBRA PK. ZAP dealer Larry Dye of Electric Wheels in Salem, Oregon said: "I've already sold over 25 of the XEBRAs, but I've sold four XEBRA PKs sight-unseen. It has many more uses. It's a great commute vehicle, it's also a hauler, a dump truck; it folds down to be a flatbed, it can be a ranch or farm vehicle or an economical fleet vehicle. I've got several businesses that can't wait to go for their first test drive. We'll have a whole herd of XEBRAs and PKs running around Salem before you know it."

The vehicle itself has a top speed of 40 mph and a range of 40 miles. Power comes via a gel cell battery that is hooked to a DC motor and a 450 Amp controller. To charge the XEBRA ZAP uses an onboard 110 Volt AC unit as well as solar panels. Measuring in at 10 ft 9-inchs long by 4 ft 6-inchs wide and 5 ft. 1-inch tall, the XEBRA PK is actually classified as a 3-wheeled motorcycle. Additional features include leather seats, a cooling fan, a 12 V meter and a 2,103 lbs. gross weight.

Polaris Updates its Ranger XP for 2007

Since its introduction as a limited-edition offering in 2005, utility vehicle enthusiasts have enjoyed the Ranger XP's ability to deliver off-road performance and ease of use. For 2007 Polaris has added a few features to the XP including new dash board instrumentation and a higher top speed of 50 mph.

Polaris uses dealer and customer feedback to enhance its product lines and one suggestion that was consistently mentioned was the inclusion of a speedometer. Due to this feedback the 2007 model is now equipped with multi-functional instrumentation including the new speedometer, fuel level, hour meter, odometer/trip meter, illuminated parking brake engagement indicator, all wheel drive engagement indicator, EFI diagnostic codes, gear selection and a clock.

At the heart of the Ranger XP is a 40 horsepower, liquid-cooled, even-firing Polaris Liberty 700cc parallel-twin engine. Paired with this engine is a Bosch multi-port, semi-sequential electronic fuel injection system (EFI). The pairing makes the Ranger XP responsive and reliable in the type of rugged, off-road terrain that demands sudden and extreme changes in both power requirements and variations in speed. A Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) in the EFI system ensures the engine delivers extremely precise driver response.

When Ranger XP encounters extreme conditions, the EFI system constantly and automatically compensates for changes in altitude, pressure and temperature, making the vehicle extremely reliable no matter where the rider chooses to go. The system ensures that the engine starts instantly in all conditions from -25°F to 120°F, at altitudes up to 10,000 feet.

For a smooth ride, the Ranger XP is equipped with independent rear suspension with nine inches of suspension travel. An automatic, true all-wheel drive system automatically engages when the rider needs more forward traction. It reverts to 2WD automatically when AWD is no longer needed. Drivers also can easily switch from 2-wheel or 1-wheel drive to produce an extremely tight turn or minimize damage to sensitive turf and ground coverings.

The Ranger XP also comes with an exclusive Polaris Lock & Ride cargo system to easily carry and organize equipment, gear and loose material. This system combines a redesigned, multi-functional cargo box and a full range of Pure Polaris accessories that attach in less than ten seconds. The cargo box is big enough to hold a standard pallet, has drain holes for wet material and comes standard with a pickup truck style tailgate and self-cleaning hinge for dumping loose materials.

Additional Ranger XP features include a pay load of 1,500 lbs., a towing capacity of 1,750 lbs., an industry leading 27-inch water crossing depth, ground clearance of 11.2-inches, automotive style 4-wheel hydraulic disc brakes, 150 percent more covered storage and 13 cubic feet of cargo volume. For 2007, the Ranger XP is available in Delta Green, and also will be offered in various limited-edition models including Midnight Red, Turbo Silver, Black Flame, Mossy Oak and Browning.

New Husqvarna HUV Utility Vehicles Offer Durability, Versatility

For the 20 million Americans who own an acre or more of land, utility vehicles can be indispensable workmates. To help these large land owners Husqvarna has enhanced its product line up if HUV utility vehicles to meet nearly any need, as well as have the durability to deliver rugged performance.

With the addition of four new models, Husqvarna now has 10 HUVs available in three platforms: all wheel drive, two-wheel drive and compact. From electric to diesel powered, Husqvarna's HUVs provide a solution for every application.

The new all-wheel drive HUV models, named the HUV4421G, HUV4421GXP, HUV4421D and HUV4421DXP, feature esthetic enhancements for a more rugged look. Like all HUV models, the units are constructed with corrosion resistant 6061 aircraft grade aluminum frames, providing durability and superior longevity even in wet regions or coastal areas.

In addition, each of the new products feature advanced all-wheel drive technology that provides added traction in all types of terrain. The new utility vehicles are easy to drive as they employ Husqvarna's "true" all-wheel drive system that allows the operator to focus on driving without complicated 4-wheel drive engagement or manual differential locks. The new HUVs can reach 25-mph ground speed and stop smoothly with four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes.

Each new model offers features to meet a variety of demands. The HUV 4421G come standard with a 20 hp Honda gasoline powered engine, 25-inch all terrain tires and a bed capacity of up to 1,050 lbs. The HUV 4421GXP also features a 20 hp Honda engine, but has a few more ruggedized options such as 25-inch mud tires, heavy duty brush guard, power tilt bed capacity up to 1,050 lbs., steel front skid, belly pan, rear differential guard, nerf bars, sealed CVT and under-hood storage. The HUV 4421D and HUV 4421DXP include all the same features as the 4421G and 4421XGP with the only major difference being the 20 hp Kubota diesel power plant.

For smooth riding, all the HUVs feature fully independent double-A arm front suspension and swing-arm rear suspension with coil-over shocks. The powder-coated steel bed has a rust-proof aluminum floor. For outdoorsmen Husqvarna introduces a new option, availability in green. "Mossy Oak's" Forest Floor camouflage will remain as an option for hunters.

"Utility vehicles continue to grow in popularity with property owners across the country, and our new HUV line-up is designed to meet multiple needs," said Jerry Sandy, business unit manager for Husqvarna. "Our HUVs are practical, powerful and versatile - able to handle heavy work applications or the serious off-road use of hunters and outfitters.

Club Car Unveils New 4x4 Utility Vehicles

Club Car has created the new Carryall 295 series of utility vehicles, which are designed to tackle the most demanding jobs with ease. These new vehicles are equipped with powerful engines, on-demand all-wheel-drive capability and a host of features to ensure performance and reliability.

Built for maximum strength and long life, the Carryall 295 features a rustproof, aircraft-grade aluminum frame and has a total payload capacity of more than ¾ ton. What's more, the fully independent front suspension, automotive-style 4-wheel hydraulic disc brakes and optional, all-terrain tires contribute to its overall durability.

The Carryall 295 series also features Club Car's exclusive IntelliTrak technology, the industry's only true all-wheel-drive system. By continually sensing driving conditions, IntelliTrak automatically engages and disengages all-wheel-drive without requiring the driver to stop, shift gears, push buttons or lock differentials.

Also new on the 295 series is Club Car's IntelliTach system, which an attachment device the enables the utility vehicle to multitask like never before. The IntelliTach system is mounted to the frame of the Carryall 295 and has arms that extend forward beyond the front cowl. Attached to the arms is a mounting plate that can connect to one of five attachments: a bucket, a pallet fork, a push broom, a blade and a mower with a 60-inch deck. The bucket is standard equipment; all other attachments are optional.

The IntelliTach mounting plate interfaces with the corresponding plate on each attachment, with a quick-release handle to lock and unlock the attachment. Each attachment, when in use, is controlled by an easy-to-use joystick located next to the driver's seat. When attachments are not being used, the mounting plate can be removed by pulling four clevis pins, and the mounting arms can then be folded back into the grill of the vehicle.

"This single vehicle can perform the work of six. That's why we like to call it 'the Swiss Army Knife' of vehicles," said Mike Read, director of marketing communications for Club Car. "Beyond that, the IntelliTach system is easy to use. One person can connect or disconnect any of the attachments, and can also detach the mounting plate from the vehicle itself. There's no heavy lifting involved in the process. It's very simple and quick."

Additionally, the Carryall 295 series offers two engine options. The vehicle is available with a 20 hp, 614 cc Honda gas engine or 20 hp, 719 cc Kubota diesel engine. The base model is a two-seater, and a four-seat model, the Carryall 295 SE, is also available. The vehicle offers standard bench seating or optional bucket seating. A bench/bucket combination is also available as an option on the four-seat model. Each seat is equipped with a retractable seat belt, and the entire passenger area is protected by Club Car's Roll Over Protective System (ROPS), which comes as standard equipment.

Additional features of the Carryall 295 include a 850 lbs. bed load capacity with standard suspension, 1050 lbs. bed load capacity with heavy-duty suspension, a roomy cargo box, a choice of standard 25 inch mud tires or 25 inch all-terrain tires, an adjustable tilt steering column and 12 inches of floor-to-ground clearance. The MSRP on the Carryall 295 is $9,500 for the gas engine and $10,850 for the diesel engine. The Carryall 295 SE is priced at $12,055 (gas) and $13,200 (diesel). The MSRP on the Carryall 295 with IntelliTach is $14,020.

Broyhill's New TerraSport Utility Vehicle Boasts Rugged Durability in an Economic Fashion

Broyhill's new TerraSport utility vehicle boasts a 1,500 lb. total capacity and robotic-welded tubular steel frame construction for exceptional strength and durability. With a 16-hp Briggs and Stratton engine, continuously variable transmission (CVT), power steering and multi-leaf spring, dual shock suspension, the TerraSportT provides a smooth ride at speeds up to 20-mph.

Optional rear cargo box offers a unique 1/3 to 2/3 design, making room for a toolbox, sprayer tank, or line marker paint tank, and is conveniently located behind the seat. Steel or wood boxes (with removable 10 inch sides) easily convert to a 48 inch by 48 inch flatbed. Accessories include Broyhill's dedicated VacMate vacuum, Refuse Mate 2.0 cu. yd. refuse box, Fastliner 25-gallon line marking system and hydraulic box lift, grooming attachments, 25-gallon sprayer and 10 ft. spray boom.

Vehicle Designers Find New Weapon in Taming Extreme Forces

Vehicle engineers are safeguarding components with a self locking fastener when faced with extreme torque, shock, vibration, and temperature.

In the world of automotive components, let's face it, fasteners aren't the first thing engineers think about. They're not exciting, they're not sexy. They're commonly treated as routine. But choose the wrong fastener for the application and the best laid engineering plans and products can fall apart.

To prevent the best laid engineering plans from falling apart, the following tips can arm design engineers with extra insight into what to consider when specifying self locking threaded fasteners to keep their products together indefinitely.

1) Focus on retaining fastener tension, not torque assembly methods. Bolt tension, not applied torque, is what actually keeps a joint together. For this reason, emphasis should fall on ensuring that the correct bolt tension is applied to self locking threaded fasteners, as opposed to relying on torque specifications.

The problem with measuring torque stems from the finding that 90% of the torque applied to lock nuts or a bolted joint goes not into fastener tension, but into overcoming friction. More importantly, testing with standard threads has shown that for a given torque, bolt tension can vary as much as 50%.

Ways to correctly determine the ideal tension for an application include measuring "bolt stretch" manually or ultrasonically, or using a load cell to measure bolt tension at a certain torque/angle.

2) Choose the right type of locking fastener and lock nuts for the job.

A number of online tools can help engineers find the best self locking nuts or tooling for the application. Among these are an online Tap Selection Tool; Torque Calculator; Drill and Hole Size Calculator; and Tap Troubleshooting Guide on the technology page at Spiralock -- a Madison Heights, Michigan-based manufacturer of self locking threaded fasteners. The Tap Troubleshooting Guide, for instance, can help engineers spot when too much tension is being generated in the tapping process.

3) Consider lifetime cost, including design, assembly, warranty and liability. Most locking fasteners do not address a basic design problem with the standard 60-degree thread form: that the gap between the crest of the male and female threads can lead to vibration-induced thread loosening; thereby impugning product reliability.

Engineers, however, have successfully attacked this challenge -- while reducing component weight and enabling re-usability up to 50 times -- with the Spiralock thread locking design. This re-engineered thread form adds a unique 30-degree wedge ramp at the root of the thread which mates with standard 60-degree male self locking threaded fasteners. The continuous-line contact of this design spreads the clamp force more evenly over all engaged threads, thus improving resistance to vibrational loosening, axial-torsional loading, joint fatigue, and temperature extremes.

4) Treat your thread locking fasteners with the same care you would your most critical component. No matter how clever the engineering or robust the components, the end product is only as reliable as its weakest link -- which, only too often, is the lock nuts holding everything together. Specify your self locking threaded fasteners with the same attention to detail that you would for any other critical component to ensure the longevity of the product, as well as your career.

For detailed test data, including comparative graphic loading characteristics or photoelastic analysis/load vector comparison animation, visit Spiralock at www.spiralock.com; email slinfo@spiralock.com; call (800) 521-2688; fax (248) 543-1403; or write to Spiralock at Madison Tech Center, PO Box 71629, Madison Heights, MI 48071.