How to Choose Material Handling Equipment Batteries

Electric Forklifts and the Rise of Material Handling Equipment Batteries

With the rapid growth of the modern logistics industry, electric forklifts have become essential in the field of material handling. The demand for electric forklifts is rising steadily, especially in warehouses and industrial settings. These forklifts commonly use two types of material handling equipment batteries: lead-acid and lithium-ion. However, both battery types come with limitations regarding environmental impact, power output, lifespan, and operational efficiency.

This article serves as a practical guide for those looking to purchase lithium battery-powered electric forklifts, offering key insights into performance, specifications, and configuration considerations.

Lithium Battery Features and Configuration

1.

Capacity and Specification

In general, the lithium battery capacity for electric forklifts is approximately two-thirds of their lead-acid counterparts. For example, if a stacker forklift originally uses a 210Ah lead-acid battery, it can be replaced with a 150Ah lithium battery for similar runtime. If longer working hours are required, additional capacity should be considered.

2.

Temperature Effects on Performance

Lithium batteries operate within a temperature range of -20°C to 55°C. However, cold temperatures can significantly impact battery performance. Specifically:

• At temperatures above 0°C, battery capacity remains at 100%.

• At 0°C, capacity drops to around 90%.

• At -10°C, capacity falls to 80%.

• At -20°C, only about 70% of the original capacity is maintained.

When selecting material handling equipment batteries for low-temperature environments, users should plan for these reductions and choose higher-capacity configurations accordingly.

3.

BMS (Battery Management System) Configuration

Lithium batteries with capacities under 100Ah typically do not include a BMS. Instead, they rely on a four-stage voltage meter for charge level indication. For batteries with a capacity of 100Ah or more, a BMS is generally included. These systems also feature digital displays that provide real-time battery data, improving safety and operational transparency.

4.

Charging Time Calculation

To estimate charging time for forklift lithium batteries, the following formula can be used:
Charging Time = Battery Capacity ÷ Charging Current
This simple calculation allows users to predict charging duration and optimize scheduling for equipment use.

Conclusion

Understanding the characteristics of lithium batteries is critical for choosing the right energy system in today’s electric material handling equipment. As the industry moves toward cleaner and more efficient energy solutions, material handling equipment batteries play a pivotal role in ensuring productivity, safety, and sustainability.