C8 Energy SkelStart Engine Start Modules are an innovative answer to a huge issue in trucking: dead batteries. The Ontario-based company is dedicated to offering energy-efficient options for commercial vehicles and heavy machinery, has been named the North American master distributor for the C8 Energy SkelStart Engine Start Module.
This supercapacitor was developed by Skeleton Technologies, the world’s largest supercapacitor manufacturer and is available for commercial fleets in the US and Canada. The C8 Energy SkelStart is a reliable engine start module that can deliver 2,000 cold-cranking amps for up to 1 million cycles. The SkelStart is designed to start virtually any engine, anywhere, and under almost any circumstances. The product was showcased at the Technology Maintenance Council (TMC) 2023 Spring Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition in Orlando, Florida.
The Heavy-Duty Parts Report previously interviewed Mike Phillips of C8 Energy about this revolutionary product. Listen to that interview here: Dead Batteries? You Need an Engine Start Module.
Why Do Fleets Need the C8 Energy SkelStart?
Lead-acid battery failures are a significant challenge faced by fleets, and battery replacement is considered a cost of doing business. Starter battery issues consistently rank among the most common roadside repairs, and battery failure rates increase during cold weather months. The C8 Energy SkelStart Engine Start Module is designed to take on the duties of engine starting and replace starter batteries. The C8 Energy SkelStart supercapacitor technology can deliver up to 2,000 cold-cranking amps day in, day-out, for up to 1 million cycles.
What Is a Supercapacitor?
“A supercapacitor is not hindered by temperature, nor is its performance impacted by extremes of cold or heat,” said Labrie. “One SkelStart can put out three times the amperage of an average lead-acid battery, and the high amperage means less system-wide exposure to the low voltage associated with depleted lead-acid batteries.” This means less system-wide exposure to the low voltage associated with depleted lead-acid batteries. This product can reduce roadside service calls, cut down on cold start problems, improve driver safety and comfort, and theoretically outlast the vehicles they serve with a lifespan of up to 1 million cycles.
“Though this is anecdotal evidence of their effectiveness, we installed SkelStart Engine Start Modules as part of pilot field test programs in two very large fleets,” recounted Labrie. “When the subzero winter weather recently gripped the country, those fleets both reported that only the vehicles with the SkelStarts were able to start unassisted.”
Who Benefits from C8 Energy SkelStart Engine Start Module?
C8 Energy SkelStart works with big 85-liter engines as well with no problem. It features capability and consistency that heavy equipment and off-highway fleets need.
“We recently worked with one of Canada’s largest open-pit gold mines and replaced two of the four Group 8D batteries in one of its massive dump trucks with the C8 Energy SkelStart in order to handle the dump truck’s starting capacity,” said Labrie. “We left two of the 8Ds to enable the ECU, ignition switch, lighting and other auxiliary vehicle functions. The SkelStarts have performed flawlessly during the frigid Canadian winter.”
The Future of Battery Needs in the Trucking Industry
As electric trucks become a reality in our industry, we’ve wondered how fleets will handle battery capacity with increased load. It looks like the C8 Energy SkelStart Engine Module will have a substantial impact on this issue.
C8 Energy has built out reliable distribution and product support networks in both the US and Canada. The company has already signed distribution contracts, including an agreement with UAP Heavy Vehicle parts division, the largest heavy vehicle parts distributor in Canada. The distributor’s contact information is available by calling 905-361-6755, emailing [email protected], or visiting the company’s website.
About C8 Energy
C8 Energy’s mission is to provide a greener, more efficient energy solution for the heavy-duty vehicle industry, both on- and off-highway. Located in Mississauga, Canada, C8 Energy brings over 30 years of expertise in the heavy-duty vehicle industry and a solid understanding of the North American battery ecosystem to bear in service to its customer base.
About Skeleton Technologies
Skeleton Technologies is the global technology leader in supercapacitor energy storage for automotive, transportation, grid, and industrial applications, with the goal of developing and producing the best supercapacitor cells, modules, and systems in the world, helping companies reduce CO2 emissions and save energy. Skeleton works with some of the largest companies in the world from leading Tier -1 automotive firms and industrial equipment OEMs to truck fleet operators and aerospace prime contractors. Its supercapacitors, based on patented Curved Graphene, represent the biggest technological advancement in the industry in the past 20 years, and the use of this innovative material provides its products with an unparalleled advantage in power and energy density.
