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small-vehicle-inverter-generator

For years, broadcasters have been asking for an alternative to the conventional gas generator-based power system used in broadcast vehicles due to high noise, exhaust fumes, high maintenance, and missed live shots because of generator maintenance, problems, or failures.

To answer this demand, a new power system designed to be reliable, efficient, quiet, and cost-effective was required. The result is the industry-leading Frontline Communications VIP® Power System, an inverter-based uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system.

Below, we explain why an alternative power source can support improved performance and function.

What is the VIP Power System?

The interior of a small communications vehicle shows the VIP Power System inverter generator up close. The Frontline Communications VIP Power System is an alternative to a conventional generator. Its unique design combines an alternator, batteries, and inverter to provide as many as 8,000 watts of reliable 12VDC, 24VDC, and 120VAC power for the vehicle’s broadcast and support equipment.

It uses a 28V Mil-Spec 300-amp alternator, a set of 12V Mil-Spec AGM batteries, an inverter, and a real-time LCD control/monitoring system that displays power load and capacity data.

Check out our gallery of broadcast live trucks that come equipped with the VIP Power System here!

What is an Inverter Generator?

An inverter generator combines the engine and electrical generator into one unit. It’s an electrical device that transforms direct current (DC) power from sources like solar panels, batteries, or fuel cells to alternating current (AC) power. This is done by using an inverter that passes the DC power through switches that send it in various directions, resulting in a controlled and steady stream of electricity.

VIP System Features

A close-up image shows Frontline Communications VIP Power System Inverter Generator. The VIP Power System is designed to provide years of dependable service while meeting the distinct needs of the broadcast business with a powerful, reliable solution. The most notable feature is that it uses the primary vehicle engine to generate the 120VAC, 24VDC, and 12VDC energy required for broadcasting and utility equipment use.

This unique inverter generator also contains an AGM battery system charged by the alternator while the engine is idling. If the primary engine is turned off, the VIP Power System is able to use the battery system to power the broadcast equipment for up to 3-4 hours, allowing for a truly “silent” environment for live shot transmission. Complete battery recharging can be accomplished by turning the vehicle on or connecting shore power.

Other key features of the VIP System include:

  • UPS type power, allowing the vehicle engine to turn on or off without affecting the continuity of power to ENG operations.
  • Solar panels for a green power option, which will provide a constant four amps of DC power to the batteries in lighted conditions.
  • Mil-Spec AGM batteries that have a power surge capability with a capacity of 428 amp-hours.

Our first-class broadcasting vehicles include weather chasers, live trucks, and production trucks and trailers. Learn more about why our vehicles are the best in the world.

Benefits of the VIP Power System

The Frontline Communications VIP Power System Alternator is pictured.  Along with its core features, the Frontline Communications VIP Power System offers many extra benefits:

  • Maintenance-free for operators
  • Cost-efficient
  • Full system monitoring
  • Size and output is configured to your power requirements
  • Uses significantly less gas than a conventional generator
  • UPS power reliability, so you won’t lose a shot!
  • Upgraded air conditioner and heating system
  • The Frontline Communications FastMast system, which is the first of its kind and deploys 300% faster
  • Mini-VIP Premium Power System for use in smaller SUV size broadcasting vehicles

Since introducing the VIP System in 2012, Frontline Communications has delivered over 400 vehicles with the integrated inverter generator system, and 95% of all broadcast vehicles built today utilize its core attributes – proving we are leading the way in innovative vehicle technology.

VIP Power System Maintenance

A maintenance check for the VIP Power System should be performed every 2,000 hours of usage. It’s important to keep in mind that the maintenance schedule depends on overall vehicle usage and duty cycles.

Did you know Frontline Communications offers 24/7 service support with representatives who provide diagnosis, repair, and replacement parts assistance on all our commercial vehicles?

Powerful Takeaways

We are proud to say eight in ten broadcast vehicles delivered by Frontline Communications include the VIP Power System, giving our clients what they need: a quiet, safe, and reliable generator for all broadcasting vehicles.

In addition, Frontline Communications has developed a small platform command vehicle, the CRU-22, based on the Ford Transit, that utilizes the VIP Power System.

Since 1989, we have designed and built broadcast, communications, and specialty vehicles. We continue to lead the way in designing and manufacturing commercial vehicles, including SWAT trucks, mobile crime labs, and bomb/EOD vehicles.

Want to know more about our VIP Power System and its benefits? Contact us today. We look forward to hearing from you!

Posted: May 24, 2022 8:30:00 AM by Stephen Williamson


About Frontline Communications
Frontline Communications, a division of Pierce Manufacturing, Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) business, is the leading manufacturer of custom command and communications vehicles. The company’s wide range of products, including SUV’s, Vans and Heavy-Duty Custom Aluminum Bodies are valued for their quality, advanced technologies and integration capabilities that perform in the most extreme environments. Frontline Communications is an ISO 9001:2015 Registered company. Visit www.frontlinecomm.com for more information. 

About Oshkosh Corporation

At Oshkosh (NYSE: OSK), we make innovative, mission-critical equipment to help everyday heroes advance communities around the world. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Oshkosh Corporation employs over 18,000 team members worldwide, all united behind a common purpose: to make a difference in people’s lives. Oshkosh products can be found in more than 150 countries under the brands of JLG®, Pierce®, MAXIMETAL, Oshkosh® S-Series™, Oshkosh® Defense, McNeilus®, IMT®, Jerr-Dan®, Frontline™ Communications, Oshkosh® Airport Products, Oshkosh AeroTech™ and Pratt Miller. For more information, visit oshkoshcorp.com.

®, ™ All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that the Company believes to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the extent of supply chain and logistics disruptions, particularly as demand rebounds from the COVID-19 pandemic; the Company’s ability to increase prices or impose surcharges to raise margins or to offset higher input costs, including increased raw material, labor and freight costs; the cyclical nature of the Company’s access equipment, commercial and fire & emergency markets, which are particularly impacted by the strength of U.S. and European economies and construction seasons; the Company’s estimates of access equipment demand which, among other factors, is influenced by historical customer buying patterns and rental company fleet replacement strategies; the Company’s ability to attract production labor in a timely manner; the strength of the U.S. dollar and its impact on Company exports, translation of foreign sales and the cost of purchased materials; the Company’s ability to predict the level and timing of orders for indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracts with the U.S. federal government; risks related to reductions in government expenditures in light of U.S. defense budget pressures and an uncertain U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) tactical wheeled vehicle strategy; the impact of any DoD solicitation for competition for future contracts to produce military vehicles; the impacts of budget constraints facing the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and continuously changing demands for postal services; the impact of severe weather, natural disasters or pandemics that may affect the Company, its suppliers or its customers; risks related to the collectability of receivables, particularly for those businesses with exposure to construction markets; the cost of any warranty campaigns related to the Company’s products; risks associated with international operations and sales, including compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; risks that a trade war and related tariffs could reduce the competitiveness of the Company’s products; the Company’s ability to comply with complex laws and regulations applicable to U.S. government contractors; cybersecurity risks and costs of defending against, mitigating and responding to data security threats and breaches impacting the Company; the Company’s ability to successfully identify, complete and integrate acquisitions and to realize the anticipated benefits associated with the same; and risks related to the Company’s ability to successfully execute on its strategic road map and meet its long-term financial goals. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Form 8-K. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update information contained in this news release. Investors should be aware that the Company may not update such information until the Company’s next quarterly earnings conference call, if at all.

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