KickStart - Locomotive Starting Assist Solutions

Locomotives face frequent start failures due to battery depletion, harsh weather, and high operational demands, leading to costly downtime, increased maintenance, and reduced fleet availability.

KickStart solutions by ZTR are the industry-leading solutions designed to address battery-related start failures, extend battery life, and ensure your locomotives are always ready to perform. Designed using advanced supercapacitor technology, KickStart solutions are built to address the unique challenges that rail operators face, from frequent dead-won’t-start (DWS) situations to increased maintenance costs. Whether you need reliable starts in all conditions or advanced battery management for high-horsepower and long-haul locomotives, there’s a KickStart solution for you.

KickStart uses supercapacitor technology to supplement the locomotive batteries during engine start, reducing the strain on the batteries. The result is less energy drain from the batteries, longer battery life, faster cranking speed, less time to recharge the batteries, improved cold weather starts, and ultimately, increased locomotive availability.

KickStart Solutions

We offer two versions of KickStart to meet the diverse needs of rail operators:

KickStart Starting Assist

The first KickStart solution, KickStart Starting Assist (KickStart SA), is designed to provide additional cranking power to your locomotive’s starting system, ensuring reliable starts under any condition. Whether it’s freezing temperatures, depleted batteries, or frequent starts, KickStart Starting Assist minimizes dead-won’t-start (DWS) situations and extends battery life, helping you reduce downtime and maintenance costs.

KickStart Product

Key Features:

  • Provides reliable starts in cold weather and challenging conditions
  • Extends battery life by reducing strain during start-up
  • Lowers maintenance costs and reduces downtime
  • Integrates with Automatic Engine Start-Stop (AESS) systems for fuel savings

Learn More About KickStart Starting Assist

 

KickStart Battery and Starting Manager (BSM)

For higher horsepower locomotives and long-haul operations, KickStart Battery and Starting Manager (KickStart BSM) is the must have solution for locomotive starting and battery management. KickStart BSM not only delivers powerful cranking assistance but also includes a robust battery management system that optimizes battery health and reduces maintenance needs. With features like Bus Boost and One More Crank, BSM ensures reliable starts while significantly extending battery life, reducing fuel costs, and cutting emissions.

BSM Control Module

Key Features:

  • Ideal for high-horsepower and long-haul locomotives
  • Provides enhanced cranking power and intelligent battery management
  • Increases battery life up to 3x
  • Eliminates battery-related start failures and reduces downtime
  • Integrates with Automatic Engine Stop-Start (AESS) systems for fuel savings

Learn More About KickStart BSM

Why KickStart

KickStart solutions offers unmatched reliability and performance for your locomotives, ensuring dependable engine starts, extended battery life, and reduced maintenance costs. Whether you need a boost for everyday operations or advanced management for high-demand locomotives, KickStart delivers proven results to keep your fleet running smoothly.

Reduce the wear and tear on your batteries, saving on replacement costs and improving locomotive performance. KickStart reduces battery drain during starting to improve longevity by up to 50%.

With its modular design, a KickStart can be easily installed and require no regular maintenance.
 

KickStart augments the power required during engine start, reducing the drop in battery voltage.
 

KickStart supercapacitor technology is not affected by cold weather extremes.

If the battery drains, KickStart will maintain a charge and be ready to assist locomotive starting after extended shut-down intervals.
 

KickStart ensures that your locomotive performs when it is most critical by significantly enhancing starting reliability in all weather conditions.
 

KickStart reduces battery drain which can mean less time to recharge and lower AESS idle time.

Integrated monitoring, fault notifications and diagnostics eliminate the need to install proprietary software for setup and commissioning operations.

Which KickStart Version is Right for You?

KickStart is the solution for rail operators looking to improve starting reliability, extend battery life, and minimize downtime. Contact us today to find out which version or what combination of KickStart solutions is best for your fleet.