Perkins has launched the world’s first low cost engine level telematics device – the Perkins SmartCap – at its Seguin, Texas, facility. The company, which is celebrating its 85th anniversary, proudly unveiled its latest innovation, a ‘smart’ oil cap, which can be used on new and existing Perkins mechanical and electronic engines.
Designed to replace the oil filler cap, Perkins SmartCap is a low cost connectivity solution that allows end users to connect their mobile device to their engine via the free Perkins My Engine App on their smartphone.
The cap monitors the Perkins engine and sends data direct to the Perkins My Engine App. The free app can be downloaded from the Apple and Google stores. When combined, the Perkins SmartCap and Perkins My Engine App will give Perkins customers truly useful engine information including:
- Engine running hours
- Engine location
- Service reminders and service log
- Start / stop data
- Parts book and consumables information
“The low cost Perkins SmartCap, in conjunction with the Perkins My Engine App will, for the first time, enable Perkins customers to easily track use of their engine and servicing requirements, locate their local Perkins distributor, see parts information and receive service updates, all in one place,” said Michael Wright, General Manager – Aftermarket.
“The app was launched at ConExpo in March and is already proving popular with end customers, as it allows them to register their Perkins engine, access their OMM (Operating Maintenance Manual) and parts book. A service record can also be kept, while the user can easily make contact with their local Perkins Distributor, through the Distributor Locator feature.
“The low cost cap and free app are very simple to use. Also, the fact the cap can be fitted to any Perkins mechanical or electronic engine in a matter of minutes and instantly provide engine telematics, will be appreciated by millions of Perkins end users both in the US and around the world.”
The Perkins My Engine App and Perkins SmartCap are ideally suited to owners and operators of Perkins powered machines, providing easy access to engine specific information such as; running hours, start / stop data, build list, series, type, model, Perkins Platinum Protection indicator, parts book, OMM, a consumable list, up and coming services and a completed service log.
Priced at an introductory offer of $49.99 or equivalent exchange rate, the Perkins SmartCap, which has no ongoing costs, will be available from local Perkins distributors – www.distributorlocator.perkins.com – and from Perkins’ newly launched online US parts shop, perkins.com/shop. Production release is September 2017.
About the Author
Michael Roth
Editor
Michael Roth has covered the equipment rental industry full time for RER since 1989 and has served as the magazine’s editor in chief since 1994. He has nearly 30 years experience as a professional journalist. Roth has visited hundreds of rental centers and industry manufacturers, written hundreds of feature stories for RER and thousands of news stories for the magazine and its electronic newsletter RER Reports. Roth has interviewed leading executives for most of the industry’s largest rental companies and manufacturers as well as hundreds of smaller independent companies. He has visited with and reported on rental companies and manufacturers in Europe, Central America and Asia as well as Mexico, Canada and the United States. Roth was co-founder of RER Reports, the industry’s first weekly newsletter, which began as a fax newsletter in 1996, and later became an online newsletter. Roth has spoken at conventions sponsored by the American Rental Association, Associated Equipment Distributors, California Rental Association and other industry events and has spoken before industry groups in several countries. He lives and works in Los Angeles when he’s not traveling to cover industry events.