Rechargeable nickel-based single cell in a transparent container
The compact high-power railway battery for North America’s rolling stock Saft has engineered the SMRX-F3 cell to meet the specific needs of North America’s OEMs and railway operators for reliable onboard backup power and instant diesel engine starting. It combines the reliability and long-life of Saft’s Ni-Cd technology with the field proven performance of sintered/PBE construction. The result is an ultra-light and compact cell housed in a transparent and flame retardant polysulfone container.
Main applications
Dependable backup
SMRX-F3 battery systems have been developed to support electrical systems onboard a wide variety of modern rolling stock from light-rail and metros to high-speed intercity trains. They deliver reliable, high-energy backup power that ensures:
- passenger safety and comfort (lighting, door control, ventilation, communication and Wi-Fi systems, etc.)
- fail-safe train start-up (pantograph lifting, computer and electronic systems)
Totally reliable diesel engine starting
SMRX-F3 delivers excellent high-power performance for engine starting on DMUs (Diesel Multiple Units) and locomotives to ensure:
- totally reliable engine starting, even at very low temperatures
- frequent starting capability within a daily schedule, enabling engines to be stopped when waiting at stations to reduce fuel consumption, noise and emissions
Key features
- robust, compact and lightweight Sintered/PBE Ni-Cd construction for long life and reliability
- high current discharges (up to 8 times capacity for up to a minute) for superior engine starting
- discharge currents up to 5 times capacity for 3 minutes for reliable peak power back-up
- operating temperatures from -30°C to +50°C
- withstands temperatures from -50°C to +70°C
- available in a range of capacity steps from 160 to 360 Ah
- housed in transparent flame retardant polysulfone container
- assembled in stainless steel crates with lifting handles to create a rugged battery system well proven over many decades of experience
Main benefits
- 30% lighter and more compact than conventional Ni-Cd batteries, offering significant increases in passenger carrying capacity while enabling OEMs and operators to specify the ideal battery system for optimum usage of their available installation envelope
- very low Life Cycle Cost (LCC) since Saft’s superior Ni-Cd technology is field-proven to last over 15 years with no risk of sudden-death failure
- transparent plastic containers make electrolyte levels immediately visible
- topping-up with water only required at two-year intervals under normal conditions