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: use the battery for a shift of roughly 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 operations that run more than one 8 hour shift. The fast charging choice has become a very popular option to conventional charging and ever since its development; numerous companies have chosen to make the switch.
What Are the Benefits 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 about an hour to an hour and a half! Many companies utilize scheduled break and lunch times to accomplish this important task.
Easier Refills
The fast charge batteries will usually require a single-point watering system. This system means that users do not require removing the battery from the lift truck 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. Once 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. Unfortunately, this process can lead to an undercharged battery. There are some specific fast charge brands of batteries which utilize inter-cell connectors, extra thick posts and copper inserts so as to decrease heat generation and increase conductivity because of the higher current. These features help to allow the battery to accept a higher charge rate for a longer time period.
The overall production of these machines has been greatly better since the invention of the fast charge battery system. Before, businesses used to require more than one machinery when they were operating around the clock; now they could utilize one forklift twice as much in a day and save much money by using the fast charging batteries.