 | Yokohama, Japan - April 16, 2003: The Furukawa Battery Company announced the introduction of FGUARD, the world’s first automotive “smart battery” with a miniature, integrated state of health (SOH) test device. The SOH tester will enable the battery supplier, retailer and user to know immediately at the touch of a button if the battery is charged and capable of delivering power. FGUARD provides drivers with peace of mind by helping to prevent them from being stranded at the wrong place or time, and saves time and money by identifying weak batteries before they fail.
The Furukawa FGUARD, 12-volt flooded lead-acid battery, gets its intelligence from onGUARDTM, an adaptable electronic battery testing platform developed and marketed by Midtronics that tests the battery’s voltage, temperature and conductance to provide battery state of health and state of charge (SOC) diagnostics. Because SOC/SOH testing is built-in, the technology ensures that only defective batteries will be replaced, saving the user and reseller money from unnecessary warranty claims and eliminating safety hazards associated with the use and charge of worn-out batteries.
onGUARD contains a specialized testing algorithm calibrated specifically for the Furukawa battery design, making it highly accurate and extremely easy to use. Also, testing with onGUARD does not discharge the battery, so the vehicle owner can perform and repeat a test before installation, while refueling, or whenever harsh seasonal weather (such as extreme heat or cold) affects the battery. The Furukawa Battery is also advantageous for vehicles kept in storage as it provides an effective means for determining when charging is needed, extending battery life and eliminating the need for constant-charging resources. |
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| The inclusion of the onGUARD technology does not change the overall battery size, as all electronics are incorporated into the battery lid allowing for use in any aftermarket application. Easy push-button activation (located on top of the battery) allows the user to immediately identify a weak battery prior to failure through a simple display of GREEN, YELLOW and RED lights. Additionally, a low-charge indicator light illuminates when the battery needs charging, preventing a discharged battery from being installed in a vehicle.
Market surveys by Furukawa Battery confirmed the number one reason for a driver to replace a battery is “the inability of the battery to start the vehicle” or “improper battery function”, which account for 70% of all battery replacements. Prior to this introduction, the only available methods to prevent such problems included battery SOH testing at a service station or vehicle dealership, or purchase of a professional technician’s tester. So Furukawa has launched a battery that enables the battery supplier, retailer or user to test the battery at any time. Furukawa Battery will initially introduce the onGUARD tester in the Japanese automotive aftermarket with five different battery sizes and ten total models.
The battery’s onGUARD tester determines battery SOC and SOH based on Midtronics’ patented Conductance technology. Midtronics’ Conductance testers and diagnostic chargers are the accepted standard for battery warranty decisions at most vehicle dealers, service centers and battery retailers worldwide. onGUARD is available from Midtronics for various battery types and applications beyond the automotive aftermarket, and can also include further functions like wireless activation, communication and onboard data storage. Midtronics has also debuted an external version of onGUARD (for commonly available batteries), which can be attached to the battery charging cables or terminals, without alteration of the battery case or lid. |
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For more information, contact Marketing, Midtronics, Inc., 7000 Monroe Street, Willowbrook, IL 60527. Telephone (630) 323-2800. Fax (630) 323-2844. |
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