Smart Machines: Oxin gains traction in the US
Marlborough-based agritech company Smart Machines has reached a significant milestone in its mission to revolutionise vineyard management.
After a comprehensive three-year development and testing period, Projecta has launched a new 12V lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) battery range, suitable for agriculture and off-road applications.
While this is a new product category for Projecta, the company has extensive lithium iron phosphate know-how through products such as jump starters and work lights, where similar technology is applied.
The range’s LiFePO₄ chemistry is the safest lithium technology available and makes the new Projecta batteries inherently much safer than lithium cobalt competitors, a performance measure that was proven during in-house testing.
Said to be inherently safer than other lithium cobalt configurations, Projecta’s lithium batteries also feature a builtin battery management system, which offers protection in the event of under/overvoltage and over/underheating, alongside monitoring individual cell voltages and balancing when required.
Another key benefit of the Projecta lithium battery range is its longevity. It can deliver over 2000 cycles, up to eight times more than lead acid batteries. An extended life offsets the initial higher cost of a lithium battery, as well as reducing waste.
Offered in two models, the LB100 delivers a true 100- amp discharge current, capable of powering 1000W inverters as well as a fridge and is equivalent to a 160Ah lead acid battery. Users needing greater power can select the high discharge LB100-BT, which delivers an impressive 150-amp discharge current, capable of powering 2000W inverters.
The LB100-BT allows owners to monitor the battery status via smartphone or tablet using Bluetooth, with information including voltage, current, state of charge and any alarms that may have occurred.
Both batteries are housed within traditional N70 casings allowing easy fitment within engine bays, with the benefit of only weighing around one third the weight of equivalent lead acid batteries.
Later this month, Ardgour Valley Orchards apricots will burst onto the world stage and domestic supermarket shelves under the Temptation Valley brand.
Animal rights protest group PETA is calling for Agriculture Minister Todd McClay to introduce legislation which would make it mandatory to have live-streaming web cameras in all New Zealand shearing shed.
ACT MP and farmer Mark Cameron is calling on Parliament to thank farmers by reinstating provisions within the Resource Management Act that prevent regional councils from factoring climate change into their planning.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) has declared restricted fire seasons for the Waikato, Northland and Canterbury.
The first Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction drew mixed results, with drop in powder prices and lift in butter and cheeses.
ACT Party conservation spokesperson Cameron Luxton is calling for legislation that would ensure hunters and fishers have representation on the Conservation Authority.
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