Consider the Fast Charge Option
When it comes to recharging the battery of a forklift, there is an old rule of thumb which goes something like this: use the battery for a shift of around 8 hours, charge it for 8 hours and after that allow it to cool and rest for another 8 hours. This formula has changed for a lot of work applications that run more than one 8 hour shift. The fast charging alternative has become an extremely popular alternative to conventional charging and ever since its development; numerous companies have opted to make the switch.
What Are the Advantages of Fast Charging?
Less Charging Time
Where the standard charger and battery was concerned, re-energizing a battery from a 20% state of charge up to a complete 100% charge used to take around 8 hours. Fast charging can now accomplish this same charging in roughly an hour to an hour and a half! Many businesses utilize scheduled lunch and break 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 need to remove the battery from the forklift to be able to water it.
Temperature-Sensitive Design
These new fast charge batteries have a thermistor placed close to the center cell so as to monitor temperature. When the temperature gets to a specific level, the charge rate is reduced and sometimes even stopped so as to make sure the battery does not overheat. Unfortunately, this method could result in an undercharged battery. There are some specific fast charge battery brands which use inter-cell connectors, extra thick posts and copper inserts in order to increase conductivity and decrease heat generation because of the higher current. These features help to enable the battery to accept a higher charge rate for a longer time period.
These equipment have seen their overall productivity increase greatly since the fast charge battery system was created. In the past, businesses used to need more than one equipment when they were operating around the clock; now they could save a lot of money and utilize one lift truck twice as much in a day with by utilizing the fast charging batteries.