Storage and Transfer
Stop-Start Micro-hybrid TechnologyAs the UK’s leading remanufacturer of rotating electrics, Remy fully understands the need to keep the UK garage and bodyshop equipped with all of the latest remanufactured starters and alternators.
Starter-based Stop-Start (SBSS) is a high durability starter and a conventional alternator. These tend to be on all engine sizes and the technology is driven by low cost and offers a quick-to-market hybrid solution to meet EU emission laws. The starter durability is a concern on these units as the durability requirement is six times higher than a conventional starter, as a vehicle fitted with a SBSS system may be starting more than 20 times per day. Market projections suggest that there will be 2-3 million Stop-Start, hybrid and electric passenger cars on the road by 2013. It is very much a growing market. In the last two years the majority of the OE vehicle manufacturers have moved to Stop-Start technology. Japanese and Korean VMs have been slower to adopt Stop-Start but are now starting to move towards this technology more. Remy’s prediction is that Stop-Start may soon become as common as ABS. The new technology is concentrated on developing lighter more compact vehicle components which operate more efficiently on the road – reducing Co2 emissions and improving fuel efficiency. Basically Stop-Start units use the same technology as conventional starters but they are more robust/reinforced as they are having to start the car much more often - so they need more durable components to withstand this. Design changes include increased brush numbers, solenoid improvements, new lever and clutch retainers and special bushing in the pinion. Stop-Start cars also have different batteries, as the battery is under so much more pressure as well. BMW 1 Stop-Start units originally had massive problems with the batteries failing. This has now been fully rectified however. Stop-Start starter parts already in the Remy range, for example, include the Stop Start starter for the BMW 1-series and 3-series diesel engines (Remy No DRS0177). This starter has also been carried over into the new shape 2012 BMW 1-series (F20) and 3-series (F30). Other Stop-Start parts currently in the range include several other BMW and Mini models as well as Alfa/Fiat, Audi and VW models. Over 20 further Stop-Start part numbers are currently in development. Remy Automotive has the largest hybrid motor test facility in North America, where product durability is tested at three times the normal life expectancy of the product. This Anderson, Indiana facility was recently awarded a grant of $60.2 million from the United States Department of Energy to promote business researching and developing electric vehicles and their components. Remy is using this grant to produce superior performing hybrid electric and electric vehicles at significantly lower costs. Remy has matched this support by investing another $60m into this research. |
Related Articles Related Downloads |
The most significant and exciting technological development for the future of rotating electrics is micro- hybrid technology. Remy already has several micro-hybrid Stop-Start units in its Aftermarket range.