This year’s GIE+EXPO brought in a multitude of new products, including Delta-Q’s new mid-range power stackable charging software. The company says this software allows for two to six Delta-Q chargers to link together to create charging solutions that can deliver up to 7.5 kW.
“Landscapers care about things that will last because if they can’t do their job, they’re losing money,” says Amanda Yeo, marketing manager with Delta-Q. “We built these things with those people in mind, and the OEMs as well, but we understand what they’re going through, so that makes a huge difference. We make it as easy as we can to make sure they don’t have to worry about it.”
Featured this year, Delta-Q says the ICL Series is the company’s lithium-specific line of battery chargers for industrial and motive applications, and they are designed to optimally charge lithium battery systems with any chemistry.
The available models are the ICL1500, the ICL1200 and the ICL900.
Delta-Q says the OEM features include:
- CAN bus communication for machine BMS/telematic integration with CANopen and J1939 protocols
- Charge cycle data logging for insight into usage and troubleshooting
- OEM customizable, field replaceable cable design
- Optional multi-colored remote or charger mounted LED indicator for battery charging status, error and fault indication
- Interlock prevents the vehicle from moving while charging
When explaining the Delta-Q products to consumers, Yeo likes to compare the system to a cellphone, as in every cellphone there will be a battery, charging component and a battery management system.
“This battery management system itself is what we help with in terms of making sure our OEMs understand what’s going into their equipment and how safe it’s going to be, and this ties back to our consumers because we have to make sure they are safe as well,” says Yeo.
Yeo says this year’s new chargers range from 650 Watts to about 3.3 kilowatts and they pair perfectly with zero-turn mowers, but they also offer charging ability on batteries that are anywhere between 24 and 48 volts. Many companies, such as Ariens, Cub Cadet and Mean Green Mowers, already use these systems on their mowers, according to Yeo.
“Because of where electrification is going at this time, a lot of companies will turn to us to really kind of get to know what’s going on and how to move from the gas side,” says Yeo. “As people start to realize that it’s no longer the same and that the components that you have are not an easy swap, you really have to build a full system, and that’s what we do. We help people and companies understand how to do that.”
Delta-Q says it designed the stackable charging system for OEMs in need of a charging solution that is modular, scalable and can be distributed across their equipment or vehicle.
“We originally built this project to be in an automobile,” says Yeo. “So because of that, it makes a huge difference because you’re talking about being able to withstand a lot of vibration, and it just won’t get dirty or wet inside because it’s completely sealed. Because we have been tested to an automotive-grade, it actually translates really well to what a lot of landscapers are doing.”
The company says this stackable solution provides added flexibility in that it can be used as an onboard or offboard charger or as a combination of the two. Further, Delta-Q says the new stackable charger is ideal for electric vehicles in the urban mobility, utility, articulated booms, compact construction and material handling industries.
“We use a lot of algorithms in our chargers as well, so because we have software that can really tailor to each of these lithium chemistries, it makes it a big advantage for landscapers because now they don’t have to worry about whether they have the right charger or right battery,” says Yeo.
Yeo notes that Delta-Q’s charging systems also pair with fleet management systems that allow landscapers to actively track the batteries in their machines and know when one is getting low.
“In terms of productivity, it’s really more about how they’re able to manage technology,” says Yeo. “It’s definitely not one that would hinder it if they’re going down that route. They really have to embrace it if they’re going that way, but if you’re talking about smaller fleets, it’s dependent on what kind of equipment they’re using. I think the only places they would see it slow down are places where they can’t get electricity as easily.”