How to Choose the Right Forklift Battery

Working in a commercial or industrial setting requires all different types of heavy equipment. Forklifts are among of the most useful pieces of machinery in these types of places, particularly in loading areas and warehouses, so taking proper care of your lifts is a critical first step. This includes ensuring your forklift batteries are up to the task.

Selecting industrial batteries can be a tricky proposition—there’s just so many choices out there that it can be hard to decide which direction to take. When it comes to choosing a forklift battery in Jefferson, WI, you should start your search by looking to the experts at Remis Power Systems Inc. to get you off on the right foot.

Types of batteries

First of all, it’s important to understand exactly what your options even are. Generally, commercial vehicles use either lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries. Both use drastically different technology and, as such, have very different strengths and weaknesses that will appeal (or not) to different users for various reasons. Choosing a forklift battery in Jefferson, WI means understanding your choices in the first place.

Lead-acid is the more traditional battery technology, dating all the way back to before the Civil War. These batteries are filled with liquid and generate their power through a reaction between lead plates and sulfuric acid. They need to be regularly refilled with water, so they do require a degree of maintenance.

Lithium-ion batteries, on the other hand, are a newer technology (our company actually predates them by roughly a decade). They contain a number of different chemicals depending on the power and the brand, and all types of lithium-ion batteries are sealed shut, so maintenance by the user isn’t even possible.

How to choose

First of all, there is the maintenance question. Lead-acid batteries need water, which means they take up man hours to service, unlike lithium-ion batteries. Next, there is the lifespan to consider. Most lead-acid batteries can only be charged around 1,500 times, at which point they will need to be replaced. Lithium-ion batteries, on the other hand, can be charged around 3,000 times before replacement.

When it comes to sustainability, lithium-ion batteries also take the lead. Since they are sealed, there’s no chance for the harmful leaks that can result with lead-acid batteries, which often require their own storage room. Lithium-ion batteries also have an advantage when it comes to your wallet—they provide the chance for significant energy savings, up to 50 percent in many cases. Many people believe that the best forklift battery in Jefferson, WI is the lithium-ion, and while a case can be made for lead-acid types, it can be hard to argue.

If you still have questions or opinions about this debate, please feel free to give Remis Power Systems Inc. a call anytime. It never hurts to get the experts’ opinion when choosing a forklift battery in Jefferson, WI, and with our four decades of experience in the charging and battery industry, we believe we fit the bill. Reach out to us to learn more!

Categorised in: Forklift Batteries

This post was written by Writer