Choosing industrial batteries can be complex - there are too many choices to decide which factors are most important - capacity, chemical composition, charging speed, cycle life, brand, price, etc.
The requirements of your material handling operation are very important for selecting the correct forklift battery.
(1) Start with your forklift and forklift brand, model and specification
Your choice of power source for the equipment is mainly determined by the technical specifications of the forklift. With the continuous conversion of users of class 4 and 5 seated forklifts powered by diesel or propane to class 1 electric forklifts, more than half of today's forklifts are battery driven. Durable, high-capacity Li ion batteries have been used in the most demanding applications to handle heavy and huge loads.
The following are the main specifications you need to pay attention to;
Battery voltage (V) and capacity (ah)
Several standard voltage options (12V, 24V, 36V, 48V, 72V, 80V) and different capacity options (from 100Ah to 1000ah and higher) are available for various lift model numbers.
For example, a 24V 210ah battery is usually used for a 4000 pound pallet lift, while 80V 1050ah is suitable for a balanced seated forklift to handle loads up to 20K pounds.
Size of battery box
The size of forklift battery box is often unique, so it is very important to find a perfect and accurate fit. It is also important to consider the type of cable connector and its location on batteries and trucks. Some OEM battery manufacturers have two battery boxes of different sizes.
Battery weight and counterweight
Different forklift models have different recommended battery weight requirements, which you should consider when choosing. Additional counterweights are added to batteries intended for heavy-duty applications.
Comparison of lithium batteries and lead-acid forklift batteries in different types of electric forklifts (class I, II and III)
Lithium batteries are most suitable for class I, II and III forklifts and other non road electric vehicles, such as sweepers and floor washers, tugs, etc. Why? Lithium batteries have three times the life of lead-acid batteries, excellent safety, minimal maintenance, stable operation at low or high temperatures, and high energy capacity in kwh.
Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and lithium nickel cobalt aluminate (linicoalo2 or NCA and NMC), these batteries are used for electric forklifts.
These types of lithium batteries are more often used in passenger electric vehicles (EV) and electronic 名媛直播 because of their low overall weight and high energy density per kilogram. Until recently, lead-acid batteries have been widely used in all types of electric forklifts. Tppl is a newer version of this battery. It has higher efficiency and higher charging speed, but only compared with traditional submerged lead-acid technology or sealed lead-acid batteries, such as absorption glass mat (AGM).
In most cases, lithium-ion batteries are more economical and effective than any lead-acid batteries (including AGM or tppl batteries) in industrial applications.
Forklift battery communication
In the absence of CAN bus, the host and the forklift equipment can communicate with each other. Not all battery brands can be fully integrated with all forklift models through CAN bus. Then you can choose to use the external battery discharge indicator (BDI), which provides the operator with visual and auditory signals of battery charging status and work preparation.
(2) Consider the details of your material handling equipment application and your company policy
The performance of the battery must be suitable for the actual use of forklift or elevator. Sometimes, in the same facility, the same forklift will be used in different ways (e.g. handling different goods). In this case, you may need to equip them with different batteries. Your company policies and standards may also work.
Load weight, lifting height and driving distance
The heavier the load, the higher the lifting height and the longer the route, you need more battery capacity to maintain all day. Consider the average and maximum weight of the load, driving distance, lift height and ramp. For the most demanding applications, such as food and beverage, the load weight can reach 15000-20000 pounds.
Forklift accessories
As with the weight of goods, the size of pallet or the shape of goods to be moved, the use of heavy forklift accessories will require more "oil in the tank" - higher battery capacity. Hydraulic paper clips are a good example, and you need to plan some additional power.
Refrigerating chamber or cooler
Will the forklift operate in the freezer or freezer? For low temperature operation, you may need to choose forklift batteries equipped with additional insulation and heating elements.
Charging time and speed: comparative advantages of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and lithium nickel cobalt aluminate (linicoalo2 or NCA and NMC) with lead-acid batteries
The operation of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and lithium nickel cobalt aluminate (linicoalo2 or NCA and NMC) single batteries eliminates the need to replace old batteries with new batteries during operation. In most cases, this can only be achieved by opportunistic charging of lithium-ion batteries during rest time, because it is very convenient for the operator and will not interfere with the production process. Several 15 minute breaks a day are enough to keep the lithium battery at more than 40%. This is a recommended charging mode, which provides the best performance for forklifts and helps to prolong the service life of batteries.
Data for fleet management needs
Forklift fleet management data is mainly used to track maintenance, improve safety compliance and maximize equipment utilization. The data of battery management system (BMS) can greatly enrich or replace the data from other sources, including power consumption, time of charging and idle events, battery technical parameters and other details.
When the user's choice of interface and data is becoming the most important factor.
Enterprise safety and sustainable development standards
Lithium battery is the safest choice for industrial forklift. They do not have any problems with lead-acid technology, such as corrosion and sulfation, nor do they emit any pollutants. They eliminate the risk of accidents caused by replacing heavy batteries every day. This benefit is crucial in industries such as food and beverage. Using lithium-ion electric forklift batteries, you don't need a special ventilation room to charge.
(3) Evaluate battery prices and future maintenance costs
maintain
Lithium ion batteries do not require routine maintenance. Lead acid batteries need to be filled with water, cleaned after occasional acid overflow, and equalized regularly (special charging mode shall be applied to equalize the power of the battery). Labor and external service costs often increase with the aging of lead-acid power plant, resulting in the reduction of normal operation time and the continuous increase of operation cost.
Battery purchase price and total cost of ownership
The purchase price of lead-acid power unit and charger is lower than that of lithium battery pack. However, when switching to lithium, you need to consider the increase in uptime provided by single cell operation and flexible opportunity charging plan, three times the service life of battery and lower maintenance cost.
The calculation results clearly show that compared with lead-acid battery, lithium battery can save 40% of total cost of ownership in 2-4 years. Among lithium batteries, lithium iron phosphate (LFP) is a more economical and effective choice than NMC lithium batteries. In most cases, switching to lithium batteries makes economic sense, even if you run a small fleet or a forklift.
How often do you buy new batteries for your forklift?
The life of lithium battery is longer than that of any lead-acid battery pack. The life of lead-acid battery is 1000-1500 times or less. The life of lithium ion is at least 3000 times, depending on the application.
Tppl lead-acid batteries have a longer life than traditional liquid filled or sealed AGM batteries, but they can't even approach lithium-ion technology in this regard.
In lithium batteries, lithium iron phosphate (LFP) shows a longer cycle life than lithium nickel cobalt aluminate (linicoalo2 or NCA and NMC).
Battery charger
The compact lithium ion forklift battery charger can be conveniently placed around the facility to have the opportunity to charge during breaks and lunches. Lead acid batteries need large-scale charging stations and need to be charged in a ventilated charging room to avoid the risk of pollution caused by acid overflow and smoke during charging. The elimination of a dedicated battery room and the reuse of this space for profit usually has a great impact on the bottom line.
(4) How to choose battery brand and supplier?
Consulting sales
Selecting and purchasing the right battery may require a lot of effort and time. Your supplier needs to provide professional information on what kind of battery setting is the best, and what trade-offs and necessary factors are there for your specific equipment and operation.
Accuracy of delivery time and transportation
A plug and play solution is more than simple installation and setup. It includes due diligence on battery configuration, connection protocol (such as CAN Bus Integration), safety functions, etc. for specific tasks and applications. Therefore, on the one hand, you want the battery to be delivered in time when your new forklift or existing forklift is ready to start. On the other hand, if you only choose existing 名媛直播 and rush to place an order, you may find that the forklift or your material handling operation is incompatible with the battery.
Support and service in your area and past customer experience
The availability of forklift battery support and services in your area affects the speed at which you solve equipment problems. Is your supplier ready to do everything possible to ensure that your equipment works in the first 24 hours, anyway? Ask former customers and OEM dealers for their suggestions and past experience on the battery brand you plan to buy.
product quality
Product quality mainly refers to the extent to which the battery can meet the requirements of operation. Correct capacity, cables, charging speed settings, weather protection, and incorrect handling of inexperienced forklift operators all determine the performance and quality of the battery on site, not the numbers and images on the specification sheet.
