Antares
Our Products - Your Building Blocks
Antares’ expertise lies in the design, build, manufacture and supply of auxiliary electrical power systems for professional specialist vehicles. Whether it's a single builder's van, a fleet of tyre changing vans, a luxury horse-box, a library bus, an outside broadcasting unit, or an ambulance fleet, we can provide the best auxiliary power solution quickly and cost effectively.
Once we understand the requirements we will create a balanced system, where the individual elements complement and support each other, providing unrivalled performance. It is this inter-dependency, and our attention to detail that provides the year-round reliability that discerning fleet managers demand.
Antares will provide the best engineered solution to meet your needs. And it will save you money in the long term.
What solution are you looking for? Call us on 01628 535442
Click here for Sample schematics
Once we understand the requirements we will create a balanced system, where the individual elements complement and support each other, providing unrivalled performance. It is this inter-dependency, and our attention to detail that provides the year-round reliability that discerning fleet managers demand.
Antares will provide the best engineered solution to meet your needs. And it will save you money in the long term.
What solution are you looking for? Call us on 01628 535442
Click here for Sample schematics
Why Antares?
Building blocks for your Solution
Fit & Forget Split Charge
Fit & Forget Split Charge
This is our entry level Split-charge device that provides protection simply, easily and quickly. It will: i) allow managed connection of a second (auxiliary) battery, ii) operate on voltage levels, so is fully independent from the ign key, iii) it ensures the main engine-start battery is always charged first, iv) once the main battery is "full" - which normally takes less than 1 minute on a new vehicle) it sends all the charge power to the auxiliary battery, v) it disconnects the second battery when it is being used so that the main battery cannot be discharged.
This range comes in 12v and 24v versions, and in 140Amp and 200Amp current capabilities.
The ASC+ range adds more functionality: emergency start, manual, automatic and timed isolation, protecting the battery from damage (deep discharge protection), automatic alternator presence detection (to switch back in again) and differing packaging to suit different vehicle types.
Programmable
Our split-charge range is programmable so if the default values need to be modified for your application it can be done easily. Just call us on 01628 535442.
This range comes in 12v and 24v versions, and in 140Amp and 200Amp current capabilities.
The ASC+ range adds more functionality: emergency start, manual, automatic and timed isolation, protecting the battery from damage (deep discharge protection), automatic alternator presence detection (to switch back in again) and differing packaging to suit different vehicle types.
Programmable
Our split-charge range is programmable so if the default values need to be modified for your application it can be done easily. Just call us on 01628 535442.
Batteries & Chargers
Antares have championed the use of the Cyclic Duty GEL batteries on specialist vehicles because they out-perform any other battery: In use they can be taken down to 10.5V compared to 11.6 typically for other batteries, meaning that the same size battery will work for longer bfore it stops (or starts to become damaged), and up to 6,000 cycles depending on depth of discharge. It is this, and their unique chemical and physical construction that make them particularly suited in to daily cyclic applications where even at full depth of discharge 500+ cycles make the "cost per cycle" very cost effective.
Our range covers 40Ah to 260Ah. We have extensive experience of engineering these batteries into vehicle systems.
Our IPC chargers are exactly matched to our batteries so that you get optimal charging - whatever the waether, whatever the temperature, for as long as you need it. For a vehicle that is only used occasionaly our chargers will only deliver a "mantenace" charge that only replaces what naturally seeps out when batteries are stored.
In addition the "Integrated Power Charging" means that our chargers can differentiate between a low battery that needs a boost charge, and a full battery on a vehicle with loads permanantly running. If your charger can't tell you're probably gassing your batteries.
For an on-board chargers designed to be permanently connected to provide opportunity charging, long term charging, maintanance charging and the safe operation of equipment at the same time make sure you specify Antares IPC range.
Our range covers 40Ah to 260Ah. We have extensive experience of engineering these batteries into vehicle systems.
Our IPC chargers are exactly matched to our batteries so that you get optimal charging - whatever the waether, whatever the temperature, for as long as you need it. For a vehicle that is only used occasionaly our chargers will only deliver a "mantenace" charge that only replaces what naturally seeps out when batteries are stored.
In addition the "Integrated Power Charging" means that our chargers can differentiate between a low battery that needs a boost charge, and a full battery on a vehicle with loads permanantly running. If your charger can't tell you're probably gassing your batteries.
For an on-board chargers designed to be permanently connected to provide opportunity charging, long term charging, maintanance charging and the safe operation of equipment at the same time make sure you specify Antares IPC range.
Inverters & Switching
Inverters are devices that, when connected to a battery, provide "mains" as an output.
So, providing "mains" on a specialist vehicle sounds easy - just add an inverter, Right?
You need to consider:
- which one is best: Pure Sine wave, or not?
- how to correctly size the inverter? (For instance a microwave oven needs twice the power that it says on the door: a 700W microwave will draw around 1,400W from the supply)
- What start-up power do I need? (Fridge/chiller compressors cam take up to 10 x their normal power, as can halogen floodlight bulbs). That's what the inverter needs to do - or else fail prematurely!
- What size battery bank will I need to power it for xx hours?
These and other questions need to be answered "just to get mains", and as a start you can get some ideas from our gadget page: Click here.
As a leading suppliers of AC system components for use on specialist vehicles. We have the skills, expertise and product set of 12V, 24V and 48V input pure sine wave units that provide 110VAC and 230VAC outputs to cover all applications.
What would you like to power? Just call 01628 535442 for help with these and many other questions.
So, providing "mains" on a specialist vehicle sounds easy - just add an inverter, Right?
You need to consider:
- which one is best: Pure Sine wave, or not?
- how to correctly size the inverter? (For instance a microwave oven needs twice the power that it says on the door: a 700W microwave will draw around 1,400W from the supply)
- What start-up power do I need? (Fridge/chiller compressors cam take up to 10 x their normal power, as can halogen floodlight bulbs). That's what the inverter needs to do - or else fail prematurely!
- What size battery bank will I need to power it for xx hours?
These and other questions need to be answered "just to get mains", and as a start you can get some ideas from our gadget page: Click here.
As a leading suppliers of AC system components for use on specialist vehicles. We have the skills, expertise and product set of 12V, 24V and 48V input pure sine wave units that provide 110VAC and 230VAC outputs to cover all applications.
What would you like to power? Just call 01628 535442 for help with these and many other questions.
Fuel Cells
Autonomy
With an Antraes EFOY fuel cell system you are able to do things that just weren't possible before. Run without runlock and still start the car - hours later; provide power for equipment where there simply is NO mains.
Our EFOY professional and military fuel cell range offers a complete solution to ensure that auxiliary batteries are always re-charged back to the maximum. Unattended. Inside the vehicle, in an enclosed garage or workshop. Or in the middle of the Antarctic, or in a desert. Anywhere.
In its simplest form, we design your power solution to run from a battery, and the fuel cell
ensures that your battery nevers goes flat. And the system will text in enough time when their fuel cartridge runs low and needs replacing.
For outdoor environments we also provide specialist housings and enclosures.
Popular applications are:
- instead of leaving the engine running: over-night truck-stops,
- emergency service vehicles fitted with run-lock
- long term deployment of cameras or other weather sensing or monitoring equipment
What would you like to do that you cannot do today? - call us on 01628535442 to see if a fuel cell would be the solution.
With an Antraes EFOY fuel cell system you are able to do things that just weren't possible before. Run without runlock and still start the car - hours later; provide power for equipment where there simply is NO mains.
Our EFOY professional and military fuel cell range offers a complete solution to ensure that auxiliary batteries are always re-charged back to the maximum. Unattended. Inside the vehicle, in an enclosed garage or workshop. Or in the middle of the Antarctic, or in a desert. Anywhere.
In its simplest form, we design your power solution to run from a battery, and the fuel cell
ensures that your battery nevers goes flat. And the system will text in enough time when their fuel cartridge runs low and needs replacing.
For outdoor environments we also provide specialist housings and enclosures.
Popular applications are:
- instead of leaving the engine running: over-night truck-stops,
- emergency service vehicles fitted with run-lock
- long term deployment of cameras or other weather sensing or monitoring equipment
What would you like to do that you cannot do today? - call us on 01628535442 to see if a fuel cell would be the solution.
12V & 24V Jump Start from a 12V vehicle
Safe, robust, easy.
The system provides both 12V and 24V jumpstart power safely, robustly, day after day, and automatically, from a 12V vehicle (or from a 24V vehicle) just by pressing a switch.
Before use the two batteries are being charged by the vehicle in the normal way.
In use, the system disconnects itself from the donor vehicle to ensure no damage can occur. If/when a 24V jump start is required, just press the swich to re-configure the battery pair into 24V mode.
After use, the system is reverted to 12V to allow the two batteries to be recharged from the vehicle alternator once more.
An audible and visual warning ensures that you know it is in 24V mode.
Simple to fit and operate, it is the automatic answer for 12V support vehicles servicing a 24V fleet!
Stop messing around with potentially dangerous jump leads and specify "Antares 12v/24v Jump Start kit" today.
The system provides both 12V and 24V jumpstart power safely, robustly, day after day, and automatically, from a 12V vehicle (or from a 24V vehicle) just by pressing a switch.
Before use the two batteries are being charged by the vehicle in the normal way.
In use, the system disconnects itself from the donor vehicle to ensure no damage can occur. If/when a 24V jump start is required, just press the swich to re-configure the battery pair into 24V mode.
After use, the system is reverted to 12V to allow the two batteries to be recharged from the vehicle alternator once more.
An audible and visual warning ensures that you know it is in 24V mode.
Simple to fit and operate, it is the automatic answer for 12V support vehicles servicing a 24V fleet!
Stop messing around with potentially dangerous jump leads and specify "Antares 12v/24v Jump Start kit" today.
Generator systems - optimised to save fuel
Our generator systems are optimised to save fuel - very often when a generator is specified it is the only way to create mains. But consider this: if you have a light bulb (or other similar low-power device) and that's all you want to switch on, isn't the generator a bit "over the top"? And what if the genrator runs out of fuel? And what if you have an optional "land-line" connection?
How do you connect it all safely, and optimally?
Antares generator systems feature an inverter/UPS/power assist inverter that will:
- provide automatic "no-break" changeover (normally rpovided by a transfer switch)
- provide low power demand, often for several hours, so gen-set run-time is reduced, which means lower servicing bills,
- provide a self-contained UPS facility for sensitive computer-style equipment
- will also provide a power boost if the load is more than the generator can supply. This is really good. It means that you can have a smaller gen-set and still power everything at peak power level. So you save capital cost, payload and running costs.
If your need is for power when the vehicle is being driven, we have other engine/gearbox driven options that might be more suitable. Call us on 01628 535442 to find out.
Our product set gives us the ability to provide the optimal "generator" for your requirement in a way that minimises run-time (fuel and servicing costs), noise and exhaust pollution, yet provides all the power you need, automatically. Conact us today for your generating system solution.
How do you connect it all safely, and optimally?
Antares generator systems feature an inverter/UPS/power assist inverter that will:
- provide automatic "no-break" changeover (normally rpovided by a transfer switch)
- provide low power demand, often for several hours, so gen-set run-time is reduced, which means lower servicing bills,
- provide a self-contained UPS facility for sensitive computer-style equipment
- will also provide a power boost if the load is more than the generator can supply. This is really good. It means that you can have a smaller gen-set and still power everything at peak power level. So you save capital cost, payload and running costs.
If your need is for power when the vehicle is being driven, we have other engine/gearbox driven options that might be more suitable. Call us on 01628 535442 to find out.
Our product set gives us the ability to provide the optimal "generator" for your requirement in a way that minimises run-time (fuel and servicing costs), noise and exhaust pollution, yet provides all the power you need, automatically. Conact us today for your generating system solution.
Designing from scratch - Smart Control Systems
Control it - safely.
If you want to switch it on or off - use a switch, but if you want safe operation, use our Smart Control System. (SCS).
If you use banks of relays, all inter-connected with a mass of delicate wiring, use our Smart Control System instead. It will save installation time and vehicle weight, provide built-in diagnostics and typically provide a more robust, reliable solution.
Usually, for anything that needs to be switched on, or off, there are checks that should be made first. The most common one being "is the vehicle safely parked" = is the handbrake on. What if it isn't? Do you want to sound an audible alarm? Light a warning lamp? Put a written message (APPLY HANDBRAKE NOW) up on a dispaly? All of the above? . . . it depends?
Our SCS will automatically check, and take the action you want it to.
For any vehicle that has a number of inter-dependancies you should specify an Antares Smart Control System.
It does what a "sensible" person would do when they are having a good day, or when they are following the Opertor's Manual.
In the real world, however, we all know it's very different, people can make mistakes becuase they are distracted, or stressed and if something goes wrong then they are looking for someone to blame (or worse, someone to sue). By taking advantage of our Smart Control System all the switching, timing, interlocking, recording and monitoring of the vehicle systems and the loads that it powers and controls will happen in a pre-determined, thought-out way. Every time. With an audit trail to show exactly what was done when, with biult-in diagnostics so you know the system is 100% when you start the day.
If you want to reduce the workload on the driver/operator thus improving the performance and safety of the vehicle, specify Antares Smart Control System today.
OurCANBUS system uniquely offers a rugged, proven, IP rated, specialist vehicle automation platform. It was initially designed for use in the US fire appliance market and is now being widely used in rail, bus and coach, and utility vehicles across the world.
If you want to switch it on or off - use a switch, but if you want safe operation, use our Smart Control System. (SCS).
If you use banks of relays, all inter-connected with a mass of delicate wiring, use our Smart Control System instead. It will save installation time and vehicle weight, provide built-in diagnostics and typically provide a more robust, reliable solution.
Usually, for anything that needs to be switched on, or off, there are checks that should be made first. The most common one being "is the vehicle safely parked" = is the handbrake on. What if it isn't? Do you want to sound an audible alarm? Light a warning lamp? Put a written message (APPLY HANDBRAKE NOW) up on a dispaly? All of the above? . . . it depends?
Our SCS will automatically check, and take the action you want it to.
For any vehicle that has a number of inter-dependancies you should specify an Antares Smart Control System.
It does what a "sensible" person would do when they are having a good day, or when they are following the Opertor's Manual.
In the real world, however, we all know it's very different, people can make mistakes becuase they are distracted, or stressed and if something goes wrong then they are looking for someone to blame (or worse, someone to sue). By taking advantage of our Smart Control System all the switching, timing, interlocking, recording and monitoring of the vehicle systems and the loads that it powers and controls will happen in a pre-determined, thought-out way. Every time. With an audit trail to show exactly what was done when, with biult-in diagnostics so you know the system is 100% when you start the day.
If you want to reduce the workload on the driver/operator thus improving the performance and safety of the vehicle, specify Antares Smart Control System today.
OurCANBUS system uniquely offers a rugged, proven, IP rated, specialist vehicle automation platform. It was initially designed for use in the US fire appliance market and is now being widely used in rail, bus and coach, and utility vehicles across the world.
Solutions Engineering
Save throughout the system life
Save diesel, save carbon, save money. Don't replace batteries every year - make them last up to 5 years.
Make life easier and safer for your driver/operators.
By using our systems design approach, even for the humble battery skimmer, our designs save money. Where this involves saving diesel fuel, you will also save money, and carbon footprint.
Solutions engineering to save money in the long term is what we are about - so when would you like to start saving?
Contact us now to see how we could innovate for you, and stop you wasting money elsewhere.
Save diesel, save carbon, save money. Don't replace batteries every year - make them last up to 5 years.
Make life easier and safer for your driver/operators.
By using our systems design approach, even for the humble battery skimmer, our designs save money. Where this involves saving diesel fuel, you will also save money, and carbon footprint.
Solutions engineering to save money in the long term is what we are about - so when would you like to start saving?
Contact us now to see how we could innovate for you, and stop you wasting money elsewhere.
