Vanner Incorporated recently announced that they will be using BOOSTCAP ultracapacitor modules produced by Maxwell Technologies. The leading company of electric power conversion systems said that the Maxwell product will be used to surge power to its engine starter system contracted to be used in the modification of Chicago transit buses.
Tescate Industries, Maxwell’s partner, will be providing Vanner Inc. with 460 of Maxwell’s 16-volt BMOD0500 modules. The saud modules are 
designed to give the power that Vanner’s starter system needed.
The modification of the Chicago Buses was approved early this year. The $1.3 million contract entitles Vanner to purchase and install the company’s StartSentry system into buses handled by the Chicago Transit Authority or CTA. Sources say that 460 CTA buses will undergo the said modification.
The project is a response to the operation difficulties that CTA often encounters during the winter season. Due to the freezing temperature in the cold months, CTA’s bus batteries loose needed voltage. The lost power forces CTA to use an external jump start to start the vehicles. The buses’ engine myst also be left running for an hour before hitting the roads.
Vanner’s StartSentry came as a solution to the CTA buses. With the capability to hold a certain charge of energy, the system will aid in the start-up of vehicles during winter months. The added features of the system will also allow the ultracapacitors to electrostatically save energy.
The 460 s StartSentrys is expected to be installed to CTA buses before the end of May of this year.