News & Notes: October 2022
Bowlus Unveils All-Electric RV
RV manufacturer Bowlus recently introduced the Volterra luxury travel trailer, touted as the world’s first production all-electric RV. The Volterra features fully electric power with what company officials say is a 100 percent increase in battery capacity from its Terra Firma model, as well as the first application of the AeroSolar solar power system in the RV industry. Combined, these features are said to give Bowlus owners the ability to be off the grid indefinitely.
The unit comes with 17 kilowatt-hours of lithium-iron-phosphate batteries. With the RV already equipped with 20-amp outlets for emergency EV charging, the increased battery capacity extends the EV emergency charging range to approximately 65 miles. Plus, the electric connection to one’s EV while driving continuously recharges the Bowlus, offering power on the way to a destination.
In addition, the Volterra travel trailer is noteworthy because it includes an induction cooktop and integrated high-speed satellite internet. The Volterra also features a new backup camera, an increase in fresh-water storage capacity to 50 gallons, and a limited-edition color palette.
The Volterra is now available for order from Bowlus as part of the company’s 2023 product lineup. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price begins at $310,000. For more information, visit www.bowlus.com.
RV Whisper, Micro-Air Combine Technologies
Micro-Air, manufacturer of EasyStart products, has entered into a new partnership with RV Whisper, maker of RV monitoring systems.
Micro-Air LLC, manufacturer of the EasyStart family of air-conditioning-related products, and RV Whisper LLC, which produces wireless aftermarket RV monitoring systems, announced a partnership that integrates their technologies.
RV Whisper can now wirelessly receive information from the EasyStart 364-X36-Blue, which is the Bluetooth-capable version of the EasyStart soft starter. This provides customers access to historical EasyStart data from their RVs. The data includes peak starting amps, live amps, and EasyStart status messages, along with RV Whisper data. Viewing the app information remotely can reassure RVers, including those with pets, that the A/C unit in their vehicle is operating at the designated time and temperature.
The integration supports email and text alerts based on user settings. Customers can share their EasyStart data with Micro-Air for remote diagnostics and troubleshooting.
EasyStart 364 starts RV air conditioners on low power sources such as small generators and reduced-size inverters, as well as low utility power sources, including 20-amp power at home, and it also allows two A/C units to operate on 30-amp campground power.
RV Whisper’s wireless monitoring systems enable owners to see various pieces of RV data all in one app: tire pressure, shore power, battery power, water tank levels, propane tank levels, and more.
For more information, visit www.rvwhisper.com or www.microair.net.
Indiana Representative Dies In Auto Accident
U.S. Congresswoman Jackie Walorski was a friend and staunch supporter of the RV industry, shown here at a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the opening of the RV Technical Institute in 2019.
U.S. Congresswoman Jackie Walorski, 58, was one of four people killed on August 3, 2022, in a car accident near Nappanee, Indiana. Two members of her staff died also, along with the driver of the second car involved. Walorski represented Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District, which includes Elkhart and South Bend, and served as co-chair of the House RV Caucus. She was in Indiana that day to speak at the grand opening of a new soybean processing plant.
Various members of the RV industry expressed condolences upon her passing, including RV Industry Association president and CEO Craig Kirby, who said: “As the Representative for the RV Capitol of the World, Congresswoman Walorski had a deep understanding and passion for the RV industry and the people in it. She championed numerous RV-related endeavors on Capitol Hill, including founding the House RV Caucus, sponsoring and introducing key legislation on behalf of the industry, and delivering positive testimony during congressional hearings. Jackie not only lit up a room with her passion for Indiana, she commanded any room with her incredible intellect and understanding of how business and manufacturing drive the U.S. economy. She has left an indelible mark on the RV industry, and we are very grateful for her service to her district and the country.”
Cummins Introduces Seventh CEO, First Woman
Jennifer Rumsey has taken the helm as president and CEO at Cummins Inc. — the seventh CEO and first woman to lead the company.
Cummins Inc. has announced that effective August 1, 2022, Jennifer Rumsey assumed the role of president and CEO. Rumsey had been serving as president and chief operating officer. She is the seventh CEO and the first woman to lead the company since it was founded in 1919.
After three decades with the company, Tom Linebarger has ended his term as CEO but will continue to serve as chairman of the board of directors and in an executive chairman role, working directly with Rumsey on specific initiatives that position the company for continued success. These include the recent acquisition of Meritor, a global supplier of drivetrain, mobility, braking, aftermarket, and electric powertrain solutions for commercial vehicle and industrial markets.
Rumsey, who grew up in Columbus, Indiana, where Cummins is headquartered, holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Purdue University and a Master of Science in mechanical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Throughout her career, she has been an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and women in STEM fields. She resides in Columbus with her husband and has two college-age daughters who are both pursuing engineering degrees.
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Source: https://familyrvingmag.com/2022/10/03/news-notes-october-2022/
