Bus storage building

Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL), Britain’s biggest bus and coach manufacturer, has purchased a number of Powervamp PS100 DC power supplies and, quite literally, brought a bright new approach to the production process at the company’s factory in Falkirk, Scotland, where almost 900 people are employed.

Good upper and lower deck saloon lighting is essential while vehicle interiors are being finished – and during the numerous quality checks that take place on the production line.

Previously this had meant using portable lighting, often in conjunction with the vehicle’s own interior illumination, however, doing this for extended periods drains batteries unless the engine is running consistently, which is impossible in a working environment.

Powervamp, well known throughout the bus and truck industry for their heavy duty portable engine starting packs – but recognised worldwide for their aviation power supplies and big turbine starting ground power units  worked with ADL’s Robert Downie, Facilities and Special Projects Manager at ADL Falkirk to devise a radical new solution.

Together, they established the full load current draw on various buses and ADL’s engineering team also gave a major briefing on the sensitive voltage issues associated with the multiplex system in their vehicles. It is a system that is not dissimilar to a modern aircraft’s full authority digital engine control (FADEC), which demands a highly stable and ripple-free power supply.

As a result of this investigative process Powervamp’s designers produced a customised version without volt or ammeter of its PS100, 100amp 28 volt DC power supply, fitted with quick release 4-metre lead and bus plug. The unit was installed on a special workshop trolley which was modified to allow mobility, device protection and cable stowage.

The lightweight and compact power supply weighing just 12.5 kgs and not much larger than a brief case – connects directly to 230 volt or 110 volt single phase mains supplies and delivers a constant 27.8 volts at up to 100 amps, allowing all of the vehicles systems to be operated and tested simultaneously, or randomly if required, without any of the consequences previously outlined.

ADL now operates 17 Powervamp DC Power supply units at their Falkirk factory and plan to use others at exhibitions and customer ride-and-drive days.

For more information please contact:

Powervamp Ltd: Richard Roller. Managing Director

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