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Frequently
Asked Questions
(If you entered via this
page we recommend you visit the Home Page first)
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What does it do? |
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PriorityStart! passively monitors vehicle or boat battery voltage and detects
any drain (lights left on, door ajar, shorts, radio, GPS, computer,
accessories etc..) If a drain is detected,
PriorityStart! disconnects the battery - preventing
deep discharge, saving starting power - i.e. minimising the dangers
associated with a dead battery - like getting stranded.
PriorityStart! saves down
time (Man hours, service calls, upset customers etc.) and prevents damage to
computer, and electrical system (Jump starting can do major damage to
electrical system). It maximises battery life (by not allowing the battery
to go dead you get the maximum life out of the battery).
PriorityStart! operates
only when needed to prevent a dead battery!
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How does it work? |
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PriorityStart! monitors voltage. If voltage gets below 11.9
volts for a full minute (or 23.5 volts on a 24 volt battery), PriorityStart!
automatically disconnects the battery. The unit then automatically
reconnects the battery - simply operate a light switch, push on the brake
pedal or turn key! No buttons or switches, just START!
NO DEAD BATTERY!
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What is it? |
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PriorityStart! is a small, computer chip driven, electro
mechanical device with a bi-directional motor and 10 gear system that
delivers 243 to 1 gear drive ratio and closes with 35 kg of linear
force. It will handle up to 1000 starting amps and uses proven technology. Its housing is polypropylene - the same material as a battery case.
PriorityStart! is light
weight, approx. 0.5kg. PriorityStart! has four
issued US patents and multiple issued International patents.
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How is it installed? |
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PriorityStart! attaches as easy as 1, 2, 3... 1. Attach
positive vehicle cable to top of unit. 2. Attach cable from
PriorityStart! to positive post on
battery. 3. Attach ground wire to negative battery post.
NO HARD WIRING!
Universal, fits both top or side post
It's transferable - so when you have to replace the battery from normal
life use, simply remove the
PriorityStart! and attach to new battery.
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Why do I need battery
protection? |
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Every vehicle, or piece of equipment, new
or old, requires a functioning battery to supply power - or it won't start!
The fact is, when you get in your vehicle you rely on it to start.
PriorityStart! assures
that battery power will be available when you need it (dead batteries is the
number one cause of all road service calls).
If you experience a dead battery, you have lost not only time and money,
but could be stranded in a potentially dangerous situation. Jump-starting
can be dangerous to not only the vehicle but also the individual. Also, by
preventing deep discharge, you maximise the life of the battery. One deep
discharge can costs half the life of the battery.
Using battery starters, dangerous jumper leads, or questionable cigarette
lighter devices means you have already had a "dead battery", and done
irreparable damage to the battery.
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How does
PriorityStart! protect my battery? |
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PriorityStart! prevents the battery from deep discharging by
disconnecting the battery at a factory preset level. Enough power is left to
start the engine. Simply turn the ignition key, and the battery is
automatically reconnected.
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Can't I just buy a new
battery? |
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Yes, but usually a new battery is not
immediately available and a new battery will not provide the safety,
convenience or starting power of the
PriorityStart! Furthermore, the new battery could well
discharge once again for the same reason as before!
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How does
PriorityStart! provide vehicle security or lift gate protection? |
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The
PriorityStart! not only protects the owner, their time and
safety, but it also protects the security system on the vehicle. If you
experience a dead battery, the security system or gate lift is inactive.
With PriorityStart! if the
battery drains slightly below 12 volts it then disconnects the battery, but
when the owner or would-be thief opens the door or attempts to start the
vehicle, the battery system would be automatically reconnected, thus
reconnecting the security system or gate lift.
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Does PriorityStart!
switch on and off every time I start the engine? |
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No
PriorityStart! does not disconnect and reconnect each time
the vehicle is started, only when a load has been left on when the key is
turned off.
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Doesn't the introduction
of PriorityStart!
in battery circuit decrease reliability? |
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No.
PriorityStart! incorporates a patented heavy duty contact and
gear drive system that disconnects and reconnects the battery only when
required. The contact resistance is less than 2 milliohm (two thousandth of
an ohm), and, in the closed position, exerts a clamping force greater than
35 linear kilograms. The net effect of these features is an electrical
connection superior to even a normal battery post/cable clamp connection.
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Can I use
PriorityStart! on any 12-volt or 24-volt battery
application? |
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PriorityStart! is suitable for any vehicle or engine-driven
device which uses a standard 12-volt or 24-volt battery (handles 1000
starting amps) Some examples:
- Cars, Light trucks, Recreational vehicles
- Fleet vehicles, Van conversions, Motor homes
- Construction vehicles, Forklifts, Off-road vehicles
- Industrial vehicles, Farm vehicles, Delivery vehicles
- Fishing vessels, pleasure craft, cruisers
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How large is
PriorityStart!? |
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Size of unit: 130mm X 76mm X 30mm - -
Retail packaging dimensions: 21.6mm X 14mm X 7.6mm. The complete unit,
including cable, and packaging weighs approximately 0.5kg.
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Does
PriorityStart! disconnect the
battery while the engine is running? |
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No.
PriorityStart! is designed to provide battery protection when
the engine is NOT running (ignition switch in the off position). It will not
disconnect the battery when the engine is running, even though the battery
voltage level drops below the factory-set safe threshold. Circuits within
this product recognize an "engine running" condition by sensing electrical
"noise" (30 millivolts) created by fuel injectors, fuel pump, fan motors,
etc., and will not disconnect the vehicle battery. If a vehicle alternator
or alternator belt fails, the "engine running" circuitry recognizes the
condition and prevents disconnection at the 11.9-volt threshold, allowing
the vehicle to continue on the reserve capacity of the battery. In such a
situation you are entirely dependent on the reserve capacity of the battery.
Installed correctly PriorityStart! will not
disconnect the battery while the engine is running.
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Will
PriorityStart! fit the battery in my vehicle? |
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PriorityStart! fits the majority of standard vehicle
batteries. Installation is simple - only three (3) connections.
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Once
PriorityStart!
is installed is there anything I need to do to make it operate? |
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No,
PriorityStart! is totally
automatic.
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Can I transfer my
PriorityStart!
to another vehicle? |
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Yes, it can be easily transferred.
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Does
PriorityStart! prevent all dead batteries? |
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No, a battery can go dead from abuse or
aging, but PriorityStart!
maximizes the life of your battery. Remember, one deep discharge (which
PriorityStart! prevents)
reduces a battery's life by 30-40%.
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What about memory
devices in my vehicle? |
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Vehicle computer systems have memory that
resets itself. Clock and radio may need resetting. Remember,
PriorityStart! has
protected your battery starting power. Without it you would still have to
reset memory devices.
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Can I jump-start vehicle
with PriorityStart!
installed? |
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Do NOT jump-start through the
PriorityStart!. Improper
jump-starting can damage the onboard computer and electrical system, and
damage the PriorityStart!. |
Additional notes:
Suggested Test Procedure for 12-volt - - (Handles up
to 1000 starting amps)
Attach PriorityStart!
in accordance with the owners manual. Leave your headlights on to drain voltage of battery (do
not use any accessory i.e. engine fans, power supply, light bar or any other
accessory to "quickly" discharge the battery - this can cause damage). When the
battery reaches a pre-determined level, it will shut off (the voltage setting is
approximately 11.9 on a 12 volt battery). Measure the battery voltage with a voltmeter if
possible. You must then wait at least one full minute before you can reconnect
the unit. After the one minute time span, you can either open your car door, put
your foot on the brake pedal, turn the ignition key, any of these create a
change in the circuitry, and the unit then reconnects the battery.
PriorityStart! is an
electro-mechanical device, thus when it operates you may hear the gears engage,
this is normal.
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