HOTSTART announces new Battery Charging Unit at Railway Interchange 2019
Spokane, Wash. September 22, 2019 – HOTSTART announced today at the 2019 Railway Interchange its latest product offering for the locomotive industry, the BCU Battery Charging Unit. The BCU is designed to provide both high level and trickle charge currents to locomotive batteries, ensuring battery voltage is maintained without having to idle the locomotive engine.
The BCU is a compact, foot-mounted charger featuring a smaller footprint than the previous HOTSTART battery charger design. This unit is ideal for locomotives with limited space for installation as well as other similar mobile or heavy equipment applications. The charger is available in single phase or three phase configurations for 120V, 240V, 480V or 575V power input.
“We are excited to release an improved battery charger design for the locomotive market,” said Casey Hall, Market Manager – Railroad. “As the industry moves towards precision scheduled railroading, having immediate power available from locomotive batteries will be critical for on-time success. This battery charger, paired with HOTSTART’s idle reduction electric heaters, will provide a complete shore power package for Shortlines and Class 1 railroads looking to optimize their operations.”
The BCU is on display at the Railway Interchange 2019 indoor exhibit September 22-25 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Visit booth #2637 to see the unit in person and talk to HOTSTART representatives about the complete line of idle reduction solutions for railroad operations.
