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: utilize 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 many work operations which run more than one 8 hour shift. The fast charging option has become an extremely common option to traditional charging and ever since its development; many businesses have opted to make the switch.
What Are the Benefits of Fast Charging?
Less Charging Time
Where the average battery and charger 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 around an hour to an hour and 30 minutes! Lots of companies utilize scheduled break and lunch times to complete this vital task.
Easier Refills
The fast charge batteries would usually need a single-point watering system. This system means that users do not need to remove the battery from the forklift in order to water it.
Temperature-Sensitive Design
These new fast charge batteries have a thermistor located near the center cell in order to monitor temperature. Once the temperature gets to a particular level, the charge rate is reduced and sometimes even stopped in order to make sure the battery does not overheat. This process can unfortunately lead to an undercharged battery. There are some particular fast charge brands of batteries that utilize copper inserts, inter-cell connectors and extra thick posts so as to increase conductivity and decrease heat generation 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 productivity increase greatly ever since the fast charge battery system was created. Before, businesses used to need 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.