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Product Updates Introduced for Auxiliary Power, Diagnostics
Vanair, DragonFly Energy, Tectran, Mitchell 1 and IMI Made Presentations
Key Takeaways:
- Product updates focused on auxiliary power systems and diagnostics software.
- Mitchell 1 has added intelligent search capabilities to its TruckSeries diagnostics and repair software.
- UPS has approved IMI's internal tire balancing compound, Equal Flexx.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — From auxiliary power systems to diagnostics software, trucking industry suppliers and technology developers announced a variety of product updates at the Technology & Maintenance Council’s 2026 Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition.
Companies such as Vanair, DragonFly Energy, Tectran, Mitchell 1 and IMI presented their efforts to enhance trucking operations and improve fleet maintenance during March 15 press briefings at the TMC event.
Vanair
Lincoln Electric division Vanair is expanding the capabilities of its EPEQ Electrified Power Equipment battery-electric auxiliary power system to the Class 8 segment of the truck market, touting its ability to decrease engine idling and cut maintenance costs.
New mounting configurations allow the batteries, inverters and solar charging to be installed directly on a Class 8 frame rail.
The system can power sleeper cab hotel loads and support liftgate and refrigeration batteries.
The product charges from a truck’s alternator while on the road and can also be replenished via shore power when the driver returns to the yard.
Vanair introduced the EPEQ product line for the vocational work truck market in 2020.
DragonFly Energy
DragonFly Energy is expanding the configurations for its DualFlow Power Pack auxiliary power system with a 24-volt option.
DragonFly expects the larger auxiliary power system to aid sleeper tractors by extending battery life and reducing the impact of idling.
In addition, in colder climates, the Battle Born Batteries pack has an internal heater to help warm itself up.
Tectran
Tectran Manufacturing is teaming up with Volvo Trucks North America to develop a tractor-trailer connector that can facilitate greater data transfers for connected trailers.
Chairman Bruce McKie said such 17-pin connectors would enable easier assimilation of trailer telematics, cameras and safety systems for fleets.
In addition, said Tectran CEO Jarod Scherer: “At a point in the future, we wish to accommodate even more data using a technology developed by Volvo’s engineers in Sweden, which will enable us to convey this data across a short wireless path between the mating plug and socket, without the need for physical data connectors.”
Mitchell 1
Maintenance software vendor Mitchell 1 has added intelligent search capabilities to its TruckSeries diagnostics and repair software for medium- and heavy-duty trucks.
Now when technicians misspell terms within the search function, the software follows up with suggested corrections rather than simply responding with “no results found” due to a typo.
The system now understands intent, not just spelling, said Kristy Coffman, director of Mitchell 1’s Commercial Vehicle Group.
“This is the same expectation we all have for modern searches,” she said. “Why should repair software be any different?”
IMI
Wheel-end product supplier IMI announced that its internal tire balancing compound, Equal Flexx, has been approved by parcel delivery giant UPS Inc. as part of its 2026 tire solutions manual following a 2-year field evaluation.
Patrick Brennan of Cox Fleet talks about the common missteps that fleets make in planning for future maintenance and operational needs. Tune in above or by going to RoadSigns.ttnews.com.
This testing in real-world operating conditions showed that the pouch-based product provided consistent performance and reliability, IMI President Robert Fogal said.
The evaluation involved more than 10,000 tire and wheel assemblies, including Class 8 tractor tires and package car tires, he said.
Equal Flexx, introduced in 2016, continually adapts to changing conditions to reduce vibration and balance wheel assemblies for the life of the tread, enabling fleets to reduce fuel, labor and tire costs.
