Lead-acid battery technology is not future proof, but why?
The challenges of a modern day warehouse is certainly a balancing act. The heightened pressures as the online market grows are driving a greater need for warehouse, distribution, and logistics managers to effectively orchestrate global supply chain activity. There are many aspects to consider, including people, processes, technology, and suppliers to coordinate, the environment must be choreographed perfectly in order to meet new customer demands. Especially, now that we are faced with a new breed of warehouse operations. We like to call them the ‘24/7 ers’ otherwise known as warehouse operations that run endlessly, night & day.
What has that got to do with a Lithium forklift battery charger?
Well, unlike lead-acid batteries, Lithium batteries can be fast charged to 100% capacity, the innovative characteristic of a Lithium battery charger can ensure the forklift truck can operate over several shifts superfast charging in 2-3 hours and with the ability to opportunity charge. The lithium battery can be plugged in repeatedly for a short periods of time during shift changes, breaks, lunch times or any moments of inactivity, reducing charge time & increasing productivity. Lead- acid charging is a much more complex regime, it is crucial that the lead-acid battery should only be plugged in when the charge is below 30%, lead acid must be left on charge to complete a full cycle typically 12 hours, cannot & must not be opportunity charged, this can often be disruptive to a modern warehousing solution & simply cannot provide enough flexibility to deal with the demand of an evolving supply chain.
Lead-acid batteries work differently, the technology cannot rise to the challenge some of today’s material handling demands without spare batteries and frequent battery change outs. Lead-acid batteries require charging rooms, full ventilation systems & hydrogen gas detectors, to compensate for battery gassing. But what about lithium forklift charging? What do you need to plug your Lithium forklift truck in? The Lithium battery charging process is designed for operational efficiency. As long as you have a three-phase supply, you can plug Lithium in anywhere, anytime. This is called opportunity charging. This technology offers the upmost flexibility, permitting batteries to be charged several times during the working cycle. Eliminating the need for hoisting heavy batteries out of lead-acid forklift mid shift, freeing up space once required for spare battery storage completely eradicating the need for ventilated charging rooms.
A Lithium forklift battery charger is designed to offer super-fast power output. In a nutshell, the Lithium forklift truck super-fast charger increases the current sent to the battery to fill up it’s capacity quicker. The Lithium forklift trucks ‘ecosystem’ is uniquely designed to handle a variety of charging methods including long & short charge cycles. The super-fast charging technology essentially pumps as much current as possible before the battery reaches peak voltage. Once fully charged, the inbuilt controller can manage the current to ensure ‘overcharging’ does not occur, this ensures the batteries long term health is not damaged.
Growth in consumer culture & heightened expectation has meant supply chains must be less sensitive to disruption. Modern warehousing solutions have evolved for flexibility & efficiency to handle these new pressures, tight timelines & sudden order peaks. The features of a Lithium-ion forklift battery charger can ensure your forklift truck fleet can support the immense amount of pressure facing the warehousing industry by ensuring optimal flexibility & adaptability. The Lithium forklift truck charging is designed to support warehousing in this new era of unpredictability of our new time-critical economy. Say goodbye to the fossil fuel era and welcome the lithium era with open arms.
If you're interested in switching your fleet to Lithium, get in touch to find out more...
0845 555 7770
info@forktrucksolutions.com
