Choosing the best battery for your electric forklift truck can be quite a challenge. There are a lot of factors to consider. This blog hopes to help you get more insight into the batteries used in the industry now and how to determine the best battery for your truck.
Let us look at the two batteries available in the market for your forklift truck and learn more about them.
The Lead-Acid battery goes way back to the 1800s, invented by a French Physicist. It’s the very first rechargeable battery ever created. The Lead-Acid battery is widely used in motor vehicles. It has low energy density but can supply high surge currents which make its power-to-weight ratio large.
The Lithium-ion battery
It is a type of rechargeable battery that has newer technology. Unlike a Lead-Acid battery, it has a high energy density. The new technology in place also offers more convenience and safety features.
Both forklift batteries offer the same function for your forklift truck. But both also have their advantages and disadvantages. Let’s talk from below two most important aspects:
Lead-Acid vs. Lithium-ion electric forklift Battery:
Cost
If your forklift budget is a big factor for you then a lead-acid battery might be a better choice. Compared to lithium-ion batteries, it has lower purchase and installation costs. But don’t decide right away just yet. When we speak of the lifetime value, a lead-acid battery might not be cost-effective in the long run.
Based on statistics gathered in the United States, you can save around $1 million a year from your expenses by switching from Lead-Acid to lithium-ion batteries by eliminating the ff:
- Cost of labor for the battery change
- Downtime during the battery change
- Electricity consumption during charging period (Lead-acid Battery needs to be charged more frequently than lithium-ion battery)
Capacity
The capacity battery refers to the amount of energy that a battery can store. The capacity amount of the batteries can vary depending on the manufacturer, and model but generally, lithium-ion batteries can carry more than lead-acid batteries due to their high energy density feature. With higher capacity, it means it can work longer without having to re-charge which makes the lithium-ion more durable.
To give you a better look, here is an illustration of when two batteries are compared:
Type |
|
|
| Lead-Acid | Lithium-Ion |
Cost | x |
|
Capacity |
| x |
Efficiency Over Time |
| x |
Lifespan |
| x |
Depth of Discharge* |
| x |
Specifications |
|
|
Battery equalization | Every 5 to 10 charges | Automatically |
Battery temperature | time-controlled | Higher temperature limit |
Battery water level | Every 10 cycles | Sealed so no need |
Battery lifespan | 1000 and 1500 cycles | 2,000 and 3,000 cycles |
* Lithium-Ion can be drained up to 85% but Lead-Acid cannot be drained for more than 50%
Based on the information above, we can see that lithium-ion is far superior to the lead-acid battery. It has more capacity and can work much longer. The lifetime value is much more cost-efficient and it is more efficient and durable. But it is also important to note that while lithium-ion bests lead-acid batteries in almost every category, you can still take into consideration the usage of your forklift truck. Is it for heavy-duty purposes that spending more on the forklift battery is practical? Or is this for much lesser work, and a less durable battery will suffice? These are things that you can consider when choosing the best battery for your forklift truck.
You can also just contact FORKFOCUS directly for a battery quotation for both. Let us know your working situation, the most practical forklift solution will be provided to you!
Battery selection must match the shift and charging window
Battery chemistry alone does not determine a workable electric-forklift system. Voltage, usable energy, connector, charger, site power, temperature and the operating schedule must fit together.
- Duty
- Record shift length, travel, lift cycles, breaks and the time available for charging.
- Battery
- Confirm chemistry, nominal voltage, usable capacity, physical compartment, weight and connector.
- Communication
- A lithium system requires the charger to communicate with the battery BMS through the specified protocol, commonly CAN, so charging current, voltage and protective stops remain coordinated.
- Site
- Confirm incoming power, charger rating, plug, cable route, ventilation and operating temperature.
- Evidence
- Match the truck, battery and charger documentation before ordering; do not substitute one voltage or connector by appearance.
electric forklift range
Electric counterbalance, reach and warehouse trucks impose different energy and duty requirements.
Provide the truck voltage, battery label, connector photos, duty schedule and site-power details for a compatible quotation.