If you’ve been faced with dead batteries in electrically abused trucks or vehicles in storage (see “Hibernation for unused trucks,” CCJ, Jan. 2002), you might be interested to know that Volvo dealers are offering aftermarket variations of the Low-Voltage Disconnect (LVD) and Jump-Start Prevention Kit from the IntraUSA Group, Tukwila, Wash.
Intra’s LVD allows truck drivers to use electrical appliances with the engine off, while preserving enough battery power to start the engine. The LVD monitors batteries, and automatically disconnects non-critical loads when battery voltage reaches critical levels.
The Intra Jump-Start Prevention Kit is similar to the LVD, but is designed for dormant vehicles that slowly lose their volts to electronic-module memories.
For more information, visit www.volvotrucks.us.com, or www.intra-usa.com.