Power Group Srl.

Our ‘Meet the Distributor’ posts introduce our partners and showcases the vital work they do. This time, we’ve spoken to Power Group Srl. – one of our longest serving distributors, joining us in 1996.

What are your key Mastervolt products and why do Mastervolt and Power Products fit well with your off-grid and mobile projects?

"The mobile market has been changing very rapidly in recent years. Our key products are battery chargers and inverters with big power supplies, but also in the 2 years we are selling more and more batteries and digital switching systems. The way that all the products are designed to work together providing an integrated solution is very important to our mobile projects. The communication platforms of MasterBus and CZone are unique because they allow us to propose a fully integrated, light, flexible and remote-controlled system. The quality of the products is always of the highest too."

What do you like about working with Mastervolt? Do you have a favorite product?

"The beauty of working with Mastervolt is that all the products are designed to work together. This makes it easy for us as distributor to meet customer requirements as a complete system can be put together with just Mastervolt. When we show this to a potential customer, they are often surprised about the technology that Mastervolt offers. Now the most popular product for our customers is the Lithium Ion battery range, but the Digital Switching options are very popular too due to the simple management of a complete system. Personally, I love the Combi range (the combined battery charger and inverters) as these make big power-demanding projects possible as they can provide a non-stop power supply as part of a much large system."

There have been huge advances in the technology used with power electronics in recent years. What has been the biggest change or development for you with the mobile market?

"Lithium ion batteries are one of the most important keys to improve the mobile market. Vehicles need more power in mobility, but at the same time they must respect regulations about weight. Therefore, we have seen a large demand for a small, light, and powerful battery. Also, the opportunity for our mobile customers to easily monitor and control a system locally or from remote, is a big upgrade in technology. (The pictures attached of the products in the van accompany this)."

How have you seen the market changing over the last few years towards these new and emerging technologies?

"Power for a vehicle has always previously been linked to the engine or generator, so all the applications were based on the use of diesel or gasoline. Now in the mobile sector, the trend is to move to electrical power both in traction and for the tasks that the mobile unit needs to perform. An electrical power supply and management for the systems on board are much more flexible, easier to fit, the power consumption is less and, with new technologies, far more convenient for our customers."

How have you and your team had to adapt to be able to design, install and support these technical systems?

"From the beginning of our experience with Mastervolt, our goal was to supply a complete system to the customer. This means we support on the design, choice of the right equipment, ensuring products are in stock, fast delivery, assistance during the installation and the commissioning. We aim to be an “engineering company” with a complete service and this gives much added value for our customers, especially in the mobile sector where the electrical concept is still fairly new and clients need lots of support to understand and realise what we can do, the products and the benefits."

Where do you see the future of power electronics going in the next 5 years? Any trends that your customers should be on the lookout for?

"The future holds many more ‘green’ applications, and that means providing electrical maximum power through the most reliable and smaller products. Both commercial and recreational customers are demanding more comfort and easy to control systems. I think upgrades in batteries will be the important, with improvement in the actual battery technology and the development of new ones."

Can you tell us about any exciting projects you are working on?

"We are working on an interesting project with a company who are looking at electrical refrigeration vehicles for delivering food to homes and businesses. Town and city centres in Italy are often restricted to only electric vehicles now, so a refrigerated vehicle will soon be the only option for food deliveries. The onboard refrigerator system cannot use the power from the engine batteries to supply the fridge compressor, so they need an independent source. We are planning to supply the electrical system with Lithium ion batteries, a battery charger or Combi and accessories, to meet the requirements of the customer. We also have an exciting ‘green’ project that is still in the early stages. It is for a mobile and off-grid application using solar panels, batteries, and Combis, so there is complete autonomy from mains power supply and noisy generators. I cannot say too much more at this stage, but I believe the project will be a great success."

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NOTE: Mastervolt’s global network of distribution partners play a crucial part in providing customers with exceptional service and support wherever in the world: Mastervolt couldn’t do it without them!