Beyond the thrill of black diamond ski runs and the fun of tobogganing and snow play, few visitors to Victoria’s Mt Buller will realise that the ski resort operates over 100 pieces of machinery and capital equipment, to maintain its ski fields.
Given the sub-zero temperatures and the fact that many of its large vehicles and machinery including snow groomers, four-wheel drives and excavators are diesel-powered – which need more cranking power on start-up in the cold – it’s common for batteries to drain, even when used regularly.
This past ski season, the maintenance team at Mt Buller led by Maintenance Manager, Brett Smith, have put two Projecta INTELLI-START Jump Starters to the test, an IS1400 and an IS3000. The results have been impressive according to Brett, saving the team time and effort.
“The Projecta units are simply unreal; the IS3000 had no problem starting our 400hp, 8l diesel snow groomers from flat, while the IS1400 was also great on equipment such as snow mobiles and the four-wheel drives,” Brett explained.
“Before having the Projecta INTELL-START units we’d tried other brands of jump starters with not much success – their capacity to jump start failed after only a couple of months. We’ve also used two N120 batteries that we moved around on a trolley or sled, but these were cumbersome and awkward to handle.”
Brett said that the Projecta INTELLI-START Jump Starters had saved time and added efficiency to maintenance tasks.
“Being light and portable, you could grab the Projecta which probably weighs half as much as a conventional battery, and be up and running within five minutes compared to 20 minutes if we’d needed the battery trolley or sled,” Brett said.
The IS3000 is suitable for both 12V and 24V electrical systems and provides 1000A clamp power for 12V systems and 850A for 24V electrical set-ups – it’s enough to start petrol and diesel engines up to 12L displacement in 12V machines and all 24V engines. The smaller IS1400 which is suitable for 12V electrical systems, still packs a punch offering 500A clamp power, more than enough to start petrol-powered vehicles up to 7.0L displacement and diesel engines as large as 5.0L. The units weigh 1.7kg and 10.6kg respectively.
Common to the entire INTELLI-START Jump Starter range is Projecta’s patented Rapid Recharge Technology (RRT). By leaving the Jump Starters connected to a vehicle’s battery once started, RRT can fully replenish the energy that was discharged during the starting process in just 40 seconds. This feature means that the INTELLI-START Jump Starters will then be ready to use in the next emergency without needing regular recharging – it’s clever technology that is unique to Projecta.
“The RRT feature means the jump starters are always ready for use. I also like the built-in safety tech, both units have reverse polarity protection, spark free clamps and other features – the Jump Starters are very simple to use, and I can provide them to any staff and know they’ll be safe, and that equipment won’t be damaged,” Brett said
Another area where the Projecta INTELLI-START Jump Starters stood out from competitors was in their construction and fit and finish, according to Brett.
“The quality of the Projecta equipment is really evident. With other jump starters we’ve had, the plastics haven’t worn well, they’ve become brittle quickly – the cold can be tough on plastics. Our Projecta Jump Starters have stood up well to the conditions, they seem to offer much better quality all round,” Brett said.
While the ski season may be well and truly over, Mt Buller’s Projecta Jump Starters are still being regularly used.
“Looking after so many vehicles, machines and plant equipment, there’s always something that needs a jump start. It’s not unusual for lights to be left on in vehicles overnight as well, draining the battery. So even now we’re using the Jump Starters daily,” Brett said.
ENDS
A Division of Brown & Watson International Pty Ltd, Projecta is Australian owned and operated with worldwide partners who are experts in their respective field. Projecta is a leader in the design and development, manufacture and supply of battery chargers, battery related and electrical accessories for motor vehicles, trucks, boats, 4WD and recreational vehicles. The company has five offices across Australia plus one in New Zealand with representation in a number of countries.
Further information on the extensive Projecta program together with high resolution images for download can be found at www.autodeadline.com.au or by visiting the Projecta website at www.projecta.com.au