Why New Lithium-Ion Batteries Are the Best Choice for Your Forklift

Need new batteries for your forklift? Many forklift operators are choosing lithium-ion batteries due to their many benefits. Here are five reasons why lithium-ion batteries are the best choice for your forklift.

Easier upkeep

All batteries require maintenance. Lithium-ion batteries are the best choice for your forklift since they’re much easier to maintain compared with lead acid batteries. The latter option requires regular equalizing, strict attention to temperature controls, frequent monitoring of fluid levels and other routine care. Lithium-ion batteries, in contrast, require very little maintenance, since there’s no fluids to worry about and only extremely high temperatures affect the battery negatively.

Reduced charging times

One of the reasons why lithium-ion batteries are the best choice for your forklift is that they recharge at lightning speed compared to traditional batteries. Lead acid forklift batteries typically take between eight to 16 hours to fully charge. Lithium-ion batteries, on the other hand, can fully charge in one to two hours. Forklift batteries need to be charged the right way to preserve their effectiveness. While this is true for lithium-ion batteries, too, the standards are far less strict than with lead acid batteries.

Increased longevity

Batteries don’t last forever, no matter what type you choose for your forklift. Lithium-ion are the best cost-effective batteries because they have a much longer lifespan compared to lead acid. Typical lead acid batteries remain usable for around 1,500 cycles. Lithium-ion is the superior option, lasting on average between 2,000 and 3,000 cycles.

Enhanced safety

Every company should take forklift safety seriously, and not just when it comes to driving or operating the forklift. Changing and maintaining batteries can be a safety concern, mainly since there are harsh chemicals involved. Here’s a quick safety comparison of these two batteries:

• Lead acid: As you can imagine, the lead and sulfuric acid inside these batteries are highly toxic for humans and the environment as a whole. The batteries need to be watered about once per week, and it’s possible to spill these substances if you’re not extremely careful. Moreover, these batteries produce harsh fumes and high heat during charging, so they should always be kept in a temperature-controlled environment.
• Lithium-ion: These batteries use lithium-iron-phosphate, which is a stable chemical combination and not a volatile one like the chemicals inside lead acid batteries. There’s no risk of acid spills, corrosion, sulfation or any sort of contamination since lithium-ion batteries are completely sealed. It’s clear that lithium-ion is the safer choice for any business.

Increased efficiency

The more modern technology of lithium-ion batteries is a major advantage over conventional batteries when it comes to efficiency. Lead acid batteries always bleed energy, even while idling. Lithium-ion options keep a constant voltage level, and in many cases, you’ll see up to a 50 percent savings in energy compared to lead acid.

If you’re considering switching to lithium-ion batteries to power your forklift, you’re making a safe, responsible and economical choice. Contact Remis Power Systems Inc. today to learn more about selecting the right batteries for your machines.

Categorised in: Forklift Batteries

This post was written by Writer