Consider the Fast Charge Option
Regarding the recharging the battery of a forklift, there is an old rule of thumb that goes something like this: use the battery for a shift of around 8 hours, charge it for 8 hours and afterward let it rest and cool for another 8 hours. This formula has changed for a lot of work applications which run more than one 8 hour shift. The fast charging option has become a very popular alternative to traditional charging and since its development; numerous businesses have chosen to make the switch.
What Are the Advantages of Fast Charging?
Less Charging Time
Where the standard battery and charger was concerned, re-energizing a battery from a 20% state of charge up to a full 100% charge used to take approximately 8 hours. Fast charging can now accomplish this same charging in approximately an hour to an hour and a half! Numerous companies utilize scheduled break and lunch times to accomplish this important task.
Easier Refills
Frequently, fast charge batteries also require a single-point watering system. This system means that users do not have to remove the battery from the lift truck in order to water it.
Temperature-Sensitive Design
There is a thermistor placed near the center cell on each new fast charge battery that helps it to monitor temperature. The charge rate is reduced and may sometimes stop when the temperatures get to a particular level. This is important so that the battery does not overheat. This method can unfortunately result in an undercharged battery. There are several particular fast charge brands of batteries which 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 period of time.
The overall productivity of these machinery has been greatly better ever since the development of the fast charge battery system. In the past, businesses used to require more than one machine when they were operating around the clock; nowadays they can use one lift truck twice as much in a day and save much money by utilizing the fast charging batteries.