Commercial Delivery or Box Truck Battery System
Over their lifetime, batteries for the engine starting of a delivery truck must consistently deliver high cold cranking amps, which can be incredibly challenging during extremely cold weather. With the engine off for significant periods of time during loading and unloading, a high-cycle reserve capacity is required to support key-off loads such as interior lighting, blower fans and dashboard electronics. Anti-idle restrictions and relatively short drive times can result in micro-cycling and possibly undercharging the starting battery. The alternator is the sole charging source for the starting batteries.
Battery failure is most commonly caused by acid stratification, extreme temperatures and destructive over-the-road vibration. Acid stratification naturally occurs in flooded lead-acid batteries and leads to a decline in capacity and charge acceptance. AGM technology and acid mixing technology for flooded lead-acid will mitigate acid stratification. A maintenance-free spill-proof battery is highly desirable.
Lift gates are supplied by separate batteries, which will be deep cycled regularly and need to be capable of high-power output. The batteries for the lift gate are also charged by the alternator, in addition to, but after the starter batteries have been charged. Undercharging of the lift gate batteries can occur due to long undersized cabling and the voltage drop across the battery isolator/combiner.