NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Idle Smart, maker of an automatic engine start/stop system it says can reduce overnight idling by 70%, has added a Battery Protect feature.

The new feature monitors battery voltage and starts up the engine to charge the batteries when their voltage reaches a pre-determined threshold. Idle Smart presented the update at the Technology & Maintenance Council meetings here today.

“Battery drain is an issue for fleets, at parking facilities where drivers require hotel loads for comfort and convenience items, and especially during 34-hour rest periods required by new hours-of-service regulations,” said Ryan Bennett, v.p., product and marketing at Idle Smart. “Battery Protect can intelligently monitor and help eliminate battery drain so trucks are ready to meet operational needs, and avoid the high cost of a service call and possible downtime.”

The Idle Smart System retails for about $2,500 for a single unit, and can deliver a payback in well under a year, the company claims. It can be installed on any 2007 model year or newer truck.

For more, visit www.idlesmart.com.