Consider the Fast Charge Option
When it comes to recharging the forklift battery, there is an old rule of thumb that goes something like this: utilize the battery for a shift of roughly 8 hours, charge it for 8 hours and then let it cool and rest for another 8 hours. This formula has changed for many work operations that run more than one 8 hour shift. The fast charging alternative has become a very popular option to traditional charging and ever since its evolution; numerous businesses have chosen 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 approximately 8 hours. Fast charging could now accomplish this same charging in approximately an hour to an hour and a half! Many companies utilize scheduled lunch and break times to accomplish this vital task.
Easier Refills
The fast charge batteries would usually 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
These new fast charge batteries have a thermistor placed near the center cell so as to monitor temperature. When the temperature gets to a particular level, the charge rate is reduced and sometimes even stopped so as to make sure the battery does not overheat. This process can unfortunately lead to an undercharged battery. There are several specific fast charge brands of batteries which utilize inter-cell connectors, extra thick posts and copper inserts in order to reduce 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 time period.
These machines have seen their overall production increase greatly since the fast charge battery system was developed. Before, companies used to require more than one equipment when they were operating around the clock; nowadays they can utilize one forklift twice as much in a day and save much money by using the fast charging batteries.