Author: Kate Wade

Driving Dynamics Inc., a provider of advanced performance driver safety training for fleet-based organizations throughout North America, is now offering its Level II instructor-led, simulator-based training across the U.S. in a multiemployer open enrollment format.

Level II training, an immersive three-hour blended course featuring Driving Dynamics’ exclusive DrivActiv mobile simulators, complements and builds on the techniques learned in advanced performance behind-the-wheel safety classes. And now, delivered through the company’s unique open enrollment program, fleet operators of all sizes have the option to send one driver or many to training events being held across the country. For businesses that require on-site, employer-dedicated training, the company will continue to offer this format as well.

For details about locations, tuition and registration, request the 2017 Level II Open Enrollment schedule by calling 877-607-7220, extension 106, or emailing staysafe@drivingdynamics.com. www.drivingdynamics.com

Prestolite Electric recently pioneered the use of isolated ground technology – which protects engines from potentially severe electrolytic damage caused by stray voltage – in its line of IdlePro and IdlePro Extreme alternators. 

The technology, which helps to prevent overall associated component failure and vehicle downtime, includes a dedicated cable that directs the electric current from the battery to the alternator, as well as a second dedicated electrical cable that directs the electric current from the alternator back to the battery.

More common alternator designs allow the case of the alternator to be part of the electrical circuit. When an alternator is anchored to the engine, electric current can then travel through or along the engine, increasing the opportunity for engine electrolysis or electronic noise interfering with other electronic equipment in the engine or vehicle. In today’s modern engines, the added electronic noise can trip ghost error codes, necessitating a service incident and diagnostic troubleshooting. www.prestolite.com

SolarEdge Technologies Inc., a global leader in PV inverters, power optimizers and module-level monitoring services, is unveiling the world’s first inverter-integrated electric vehicle (EV) charger. By supplementing grid power with PV power, SolarEdge’s Level 2 EV charger offers charging up to six times faster than a standard Level 1 charger with its innovative solar boost mode. 

SolarEdge’s HD-Wave inverter, once integrated with an EV charger, will not only provide the existing management and monitoring of solar production, but also will enable EV charging from a single inverter and dashboard. The combined solution will offer considerable cost savings on both hardware and labor by eliminating the need for an additional conduit, wiring and breaker installation. The solution also will eliminate the need for an additional dedicated circuit breaker, which saves space and a potential main distribution panel upgrade.

With a 12-year warranty, the inverter-integrated EV charger offers potential future operating modes, such as demand-response and charging at off-peak hours to optimize time-of-use rates. The inverter-integrated EV charger is expected to be available in the last quarter of 2017. www.solaredge.us

Utility crews are often faced with setting outrigger-enabled equipment on sloped or uneven ground. ProStack Cribbing from DICA has been developed with an interlocking design that safely provides additional height under outrigger floats when setting up in uneven ground conditions.

ProStack Cribbing has three basic parts: a base outrigger pad, interlocking cribbing blocks and a high-friction top grip pad. The base ProStack Outrigger Pad is manufactured with a pyramid-shaped surface that interlocks with the cribbing blocks. On top of the base pad, operators stack layers of two 6-inch-by-12-inch-by-24-inch cribbing blocks with the pyramid-shape surface that lock into the base pad. Lastly, a ProStack Grip Pad is placed on top of the stack to protect the pyramid surface on the cribbing blocks and provide a high-friction surface for the outrigger foot.

ProStack is available in three cribbing kit options that include a DR36-2, DR42-2 or DR48-2 base outrigger pad, along with four cribbing blocks and one grip pad. ProStack individual parts also are available for purchase, including Cribbing Wedges, which can be used on sloped surfaces to establish a level foundation under the ProStack Outrigger Pad. http://dicausa.com/products/prostack-plastic-cribbing-blocks/

HUBB Filters has created a new educational tool to help fleet managers compare their oil change costs and the potential savings they can achieve by switching to the HUBB filter program.

Designed for ease of use, HUBB’s Fleet Savings Calculator is located at www.hubbfilters.com/fleet_calculator and can be completed in less than a minute. Fleet managers simply plug in how many Class 1-4 or 5-6 vehicles they have in their fleet, along with the number of PMs scheduled per year, per vehicle. An instant cost savings analysis of what HUBB could save a fleet over a four-year period is presented.

Fleet field results collected by HUBB, along with independent oil analysis, demonstrate that HUBB can save a typical 2,000-vehicle fleet $500,000 over a four-year period.

HUBB has an 8-inch spin-on oil filter for Class 2-6 light- and medium-duty diesel engines, and a 3-inch filter for passenger cars or light-duty trucks that use a spin-on filter. www.hubbfilters.com/fleet_calculator

Sherman+Reilly, a Textron Inc. company, has launched the new PT-3000, a single-drum, multipurpose distribution puller/tensioner capable of pulling up to 3,000 pounds overhead and up to 7,500 pounds underground.

Addressing overhead and underground applications, the unit offers a suite of accessories that make the PT-3000 a true workhorse. The frame is outfitted with a curbside motor mount for pilot line winding that utilizes Sherman+Reilly’s Spider System, an integrated set of special equipment, reels, rope and accessories for fast and easy installation of pulling lines with distribution class conductors.

Sherman+Reilly has added an optional hydraulically actuated Pad Mount Transformer Attachment in the underground package to address tough approach angles and allow for optimized setup for underground pulling applications. www.sherman-reilly.com

Reduce, reuse and recharge with the battery-powered electric (BEH) driven system by DewEze Hydraulics. Known for its innovative roots, DewEze continues that tradition with the release of this BEH package for medium-duty truck applications.

The steel-constructed cabinet houses a 12-volt motor, two 100/110-amp class batteries and a charge monitoring system to power hydraulic needs. This green technology offers a turnkey solution for no-idling regulations that improves noise reduction, decreases operator fatigue and reduces costs for utility fleet trucks.

The BEH power house is available in two packages: Lithium Ion at 200 amp hours and AGM at 220 amp hours. The DewEze-designed package – 24 by 16.5 by 11.5 inches – conveniently fits into any tail shelf frame rails. www.deweze.com