Consider the Fast Charge Option
Regarding the 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 approximately 8 hours, charge it for 8 hours and then allow it to cool and rest for another 8 hours. This formula has changed for lots of work applications which run more than one 8 hour shift. The fast charging alternative has become a very common option to conventional charging and since its evolution; many companies have opted to make the switch.
What Are the Advantages of Fast Charging?
Less Charging Time
Where the average 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 30 minutes! Lots of businesses use scheduled lunch and break times to complete 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 forklift in order 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. When the temperature gets to a particular level, the charge rate is reduced and occasionally even stopped so as to make sure the battery does not overheat. This process can unfortunately result in an undercharged battery. There are several specific fast charge battery brands which use copper inserts, inter-cell connectors and extra thick posts so as 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 period of time.
The overall production of these equipment has been greatly better since the invention of the fast charge battery system. In the past, companies used to need more than one machinery when they were operating around the clock; nowadays they could save a lot of money and use one lift truck twice as much in a day with by utilizing the fast charging batteries.