MILTON, Ga. — Exide Technologies, a global leader in stored electrical-energy solutions and the maker of the Official Battery of NASCAR, announced the launch of the newest heavy-duty battery to join its portfolio — the Exide Extreme Cycler 200. Exide featured the new battery earlier this month at its exhibit at AAPEX 2009.
The Exide Extreme Cycler 200 battery is engineered to handle not just the high-energy needs of a modern commercial vehicle, but the greater power demands driven by no-idle legislation. The product is capable of deeper discharge, superior vibration resistance and higher cycling than conventional flooded product — an offering that adds up to superior performance and greater affordability in the most demanding of conditions, says Exide.
Exide Extreme Cycler 200: Ideal Power Match for the Demanding Heavy-Duty Market
The operating environment of the 21st century places high energy requirements on a truck battery. Higher load demands during key-on and key-off periods, anti-idling legislation, an increased number of driver comfort accessories and the need to reduce emissions and fuel consumption all mean that batteries must do more than just start the vehicle.
Electronic controls and accessories, GPS systems and increasing cab comforts all add to the energy demands during key-on periods. Maintaining cab comforts during key-off periods creates an additional and somewhat different energy requirement. Finally, the need to minimize idle time, whether driven by regulation or fuel costs, results in more frequent starts and thus shorter re-charge time between starts. Because batteries are cycled more deeply and frequently than in the past, they must be closely suited to the particular commercial application.
Exide’s design, development and introduction of the Group 31 Exide Extreme Cycler 200 battery is an affordable power solution for these types of conditions. Available with a robust power level of 700 cold-cranking amps (CCA) and 200 minutes reserve capacity (RC), the flooded product is a bridge between the pre-existing Group 31 product lines that the company already offers and the Exide RoadForce AGM-200 battery — a premium, valve-regulated absorbed glass mat product introduced in 2007. Further, the new maintenance-free battery offers a 50 percent longer cycle life and three times better vibration protection than conventional flooded product.
The Exide Extreme Cycler 200 specifically targets a number of aftermarket audiences and applications, including:
* Operators of over-the-road vehicles;
* Drivers of delivery vehicles where frequent stopping and starting — and short recharge time — is part of a daily route (city deliveries, package deliveries);
* Emergency vehicles where lights, communication devices and life support systems require power during long idling periods;
* Power equipment such as lift gates, hydraulic pumps and wrecker trucks; and
* Frequently parked equipment with constant draw items (GPS units, security systems).
"The Exide Extreme Cycler 200 battery is a durable, high performing product — an economical power solution engineered to withstand extreme environments and endure in the most rugged of applications, all while providing distinct, advanced power requirements," said Bruce Cole, president, Transportation – Americas for Exide Technologies. "Our new Group 31 offering is yet another example of how our engineering, sales and marketing teams at Exide have successfully collaborated to launch a technologically-advanced competitively priced offering — meeting the needs of our customers."
At AAPEX 2009, Exide designed its display around the company’s position and tagline “Start Positive. Stay Positive.” — illustrating the positives brought to everyday life by an Exide battery. In addition to new products, including the Exide Extreme Cycler 200, visitors had the opportunity to track Exide’s innovation and progress in a number of areas, including the expansion of its NASCAR Extreme battery line, the Exide Power Central Premium Accessories Battery Line and the company’s new graphic identity featuring a new signature look and feel for the Exide battery brand across all transportation product categories.
"Now, more than ever before, Exide is becoming known as the battery supplier to the aftermarket," said Cole. "As a full-line manufacturer with strong brand equity, Exide offers not only the best nationwide warranty in the business, but also operates a strong, comprehensive network of more than 60 sales branches that ensures the delivery of quality product to our customers."
