Consider the Fast Charge Option
There is an old rule of thumb regarding recharging forklift batteries. It goes something like: utilize a battery for 8 hours, charge it for 8 hours and then lastly, allow it to cool for 8 hours. This formula has changed for numerous work operations that run more than one 8 hour shift. The fast charging choice has become an extremely popular option to conventional charging and since its evolution; many companies have chosen to make the switch.
What Are the Advantages of Fast Charging?
Less Charging Time
Where the average battery and charger was concerned, re-energizing a battery from a 20% state of charge up to a full 100% charge used to take around 8 hours. Fast charging can now accomplish this same charging in about an hour to an hour and 30 minutes! Lots of companies use scheduled lunch and break times to accomplish this important job.
Easier Refills
The fast charge batteries will usually require a single-point watering system. This system means that users do not have to remove the battery from the lift truck to be able to water it.
Temperature-Sensitive Design
These new fast charge batteries have a thermistor located close to the center cell in order to monitor temperature. Once the temperature gets to a particular level, the charge rate is reduced and sometimes even stopped in order to make sure the battery does not overheat. Unfortunately, this method could lead to an undercharged battery. There are some specific fast charge brands of batteries that utilize copper inserts, inter-cell connectors and extra thick posts in order to decrease heat generation and increase conductivity due to the higher current. These features help to enable the battery to accept a higher charge rate for a longer time period.
The overall productivity of these equipment has been greatly better since the development of the fast charge battery system. Before, businesses used to require more than one equipment when they were operating around the clock; now they can utilize one lift truck twice as much in a day and save much money by utilizing the fast charging batteries.