Maxwell Engine Start Module

Been watching this whole thing with the Maxwell module for a while. Decided that my money would be better invested in a Yamaha portable generator. I already have a Xantrex inverter/charger with shore power capability. Just hook up the generator when I need batteries built up. The Maxwell is just a novelty to me that is not worth the investment.

 

Glad to have the starting power of my Maxwell ESM on my truck so I can use my other 7 deep cycle batteries to stay cool in the sleeper on these hot summer nights all night long.

 

Like I stated, since I already have an inverter / charger with shore power connection, I could get a top end portable generator for less than the price of the Maxwell and keep the batteries up, and have a little more flexibility. I was really interested in the Maxwell at one point, but after seeing the inflated price they want with almost no leeway, and that it is just a one trick pony, as it were. It has only one use. If it fails, as any device could, one could be in a pickle since the entire starting system relies on that maxwell module. I can keep batteries at full charge with a generator. Again, it just seems like a novelty. One of those status symbol kind of things.

 

I like your point. I always thought I would want one, but you set you inverter up right and put some for thought into inverter/charger and shore power.

 

With a truck less than a year old, I had 4 agm batts. fail on me...on the fuel island.
So nothing is foolproof.

So now I have an APU w/6k generator, plus inverters and shore power. And I STILL want the Maxwell!

 

I guess there will be always "want" and "need" questions with things for a truck.

 

I'm discovering that I like redundancy.

 

I am glad I don`t have to worry about getting out of truck in a pouring down rain or below 0 cold snowing blizzard to mess with hooking up a little generator that could be a real pain trying to start in adverse weather conditions or toting around gas cans when all I have do is just turn the key to get 2400 cranking amps from my Maxwell ESM.

 

I lucked into mine at a pretty good discount, but I sure don't consider it a "status symbol". My truck's got 1.6 million miles on it and looks like crap. Status is definitely not on my radar screen. It saves me some idle hours, eliminates jump starts, and reduces my anxiety level. I'd rather have an APU but I can't see investing that kind of money in this old truck. If a generator works for you go for it. Everything thing has it's limitations. For me the Maxwell was a good investment.

 

My APU cost $8700 installed with the shore power. At $3.80 for a gallon of diesel. It only needs to save you 45 gallons per week, for 50 weeks, in order for it to pay for itself in 1 year.

$3.80 x 45 gal. x 50 weeks =_____

Now I got it financed with zero down, for a two year term. And my credit ain't so great.

And you could always take it off the truck and put it on your next truck.