If you’re still confused about forklift battery options, you should read this forklift battery article. Forklift batteries are a significant investment for your electric forklift. Choosing the best pairing will ensure that your battery lasts longer and that your forklift is operational during each shift. Before you spend a few thousand dollars on a battery, whether new or reconditioned, lithium or lead acid, take a few moments to learn how to choose the right battery for your forklift and important questions to ask. You will need this information to make your forklift battery selection. If in doubt, consult your forklift supplier, who I am sure will be happy to assist you.
Understand Your Lift Truck Use of Voltage.
Learn how much voltage the forklift can withstand. The capacity of a battery is measured in ampere (amp) hours. The higher the amp hour, the more power the battery will deliver under specified temperature, discharge rate, and final voltage conditions. Purchase the highest-rated amp-hour capacity battery that will fit into the battery compartment to maximize your forklift’s production and run time. The wrong decision can result in severe damage to your equipment.
Measure the Size of the Forklift Battery Compartment.
Make a note of the battery compartment’s dimensions in inches (width, depth and height). It is critical to measure the size of the compartment rather than the size of the old battery.
Find Your Forklift Battery’s Ampere-Hour Capacity.
Check the ampere-hour (AH) rating of your existing battery. To maximize power and runtime, select the amp-hour battery with the highest rated capacity that will fit in your lift truck’s battery compartment.
Confirm the Required Minimum Counterweight.
The weight of the battery accounts for a significant portion of the forklift’s capacity; please consult the forklift’s data plate or owner’s manual to confirm the minimum battery weight. Installing a battery that is too light can cause instability and is extremely dangerous. The forklift minimum counterweight is a critical item!
Options for Forklift Battery Connectors
You must understand (and photograph it):
The battery is in the forklift position
Battery cable length could be longer than normal
The color and position of the connector
The type of forklift battery connector
You can provide your supplier with information about the connector, such as where the battery plugs into the truck and the length of the battery cable needed. Take note of the color of the battery connectors as well to ensure that the proper charger is used to charge a specific battery. The battery connectors are color coded and will only connect to other connectors of the same color. After determining the connector color, the connector size should be determined.
Know the Forklift Battery Charger Specifications
The battery charger must be designed for the battery voltage and amp hour rating of your forklift. If you already have a battery charger, check the nameplate data and speak with your battery supplier about which electric forklift batteries will pair with the charger you already have, as well as whether the charger is compatible with the battery. Calibrate the reconditioned charger to the original factory specifications. If you decide to replace the battery, you won’t be able to use your current charger. Please check with the battery manufacturer or supplier.
Choose Between New and Refurbished Batteries.
Many suppliers can also discuss the use of reconditioned batteries. You should not use reconditioned batteries. Although reconditioned forklift batteries are significantly less expensive than new ones, they are not appropriate for every operation, particularly forklift multi-shift operations. A reconditioned battery typically lasts only three or four hours, and the battery quality is far from as reliable as new batteries. Such old batteries are better suited for energy storage batteries. Of course, if you only have a low-frequency use forklift and just need it to operate quickly, you can consider the reconditioned battery.
Choose Between Lithium-ion and Lead-acid Batteries.
In this article, we will not focus on the comparison. Their main differences come in terms of cost and performance. Lead acid batteries tend to be less expensive, whereas lithium-ion batteries perform better and are more efficient. This is several lithium iron phosphate batteries and lead-acid battery analyses article, if you are interested in further reading.
Spot the Difference: Lithium Ion Versus Lead Acid Battery Electric Technology
Lead-Acid vs Lithium-Ion (10 Key Differences)
If you have read this and believe that you have a certain understanding and thinking of forklift battery selection, GeePower are a professional forklift lithium-ion battery supplier, if you have other doubts, you are welcome to communicate with GeePower engineers with more than 10 years of battery industry experience!
