Forklifts may be an important asset to your business, but taking proper care of the batteries that power them should be an equally important part of your warehouse maintenance plan. If your forklift batteries are not properly maintained, a variety of consequences can occur—including workplace injuries, forklift underperformance, and battery sulfation.
Precise maintenance practices can save your warehouse time and money by reducing the need to replace damaged, underperforming batteries as often. Battery watering technologies allow for quick and precise battery watering with exact measurements that are hard to imitate manually and may be the best solution for your warehouse.
WHAT IS A BATTERY WATERING SYSTEM?
A battery watering system is a crucial component of maintaining your forklifts. Lead-acid type batteries, which power many electric forklifts, use a catalyst solution containing both sulfuric acid and water. During use, the water evaporates, and therefore needs to be replaced over time. If there is not enough water in the battery, you run the risk of overheating the battery charger. If there is too much water added, the water could overflow during the charging cycle. So, it's incredibly important to use exactly the right amount of water!
A forklift battery watering system makes the process of watering batteries more precise and efficient. Systems contain automatic values that are interconnected, replacing battery vent caps. These valves are connected with tubing that connects with a water supply so that the right amount of water flows into every cell at the precise right level.
HOW A BATTERY WATERING SYSTEM WORKS
With a forklift battery watering system, you never need to worry about underwatering or overwatering your batteries. This safe solution to maintaining batteries works when tubing, which is connected to automatic shut-off valves, is connected to a water supply. When connected, the exact amount of water needed flows into each cell.
These precise battery watering technologies allow for the right amount of water into each cell without the fear of overwatering or underwatering, which can damage your forklift batteries and harm employees. If there is too little water in the forklift battery, it can result in overheating and battery sulfation. Lack of adequate water can result in sulfuric acid in the catalyst solution collecting on the battery’s plate, leading to battery sulfation. This formation of lead sulfate residue can deplete the battery’s charge by draining the battery of its lead active material and sulfate from the electrolytic fluid in the battery. If ignored over time, this buildup can harden and impair the battery’s performance to the point where the battery will need to be replaced.
Overwatering also can be dangerous for both your employees and batteries. If too much water is manually poured in, overflow can expose employees to battery acid. An overfilled battery can cause catalytic fluid to splash around the battery’s interior while the forklift is in operation, which may cause acid leakage and eventual corrosion.
A battery watering system removes the potential problems from both of these scenarios. With an automatic battery watering system, battery vent caps are replaced with automatic shut-off valves to make sure each cell receives an accurate amount of water and protects employees by avoiding contact with battery acid. With a battery watering system, your warehouse can improve operational efficiency and reduce costs by avoiding underperforming batteries and the need to switch them out more frequently.
THE BEST BATTERY WATERING TECHNOLOGIES FOR FORKLIFTS
If you think a forklift battery watering system is the right solution for your warehouse’s forklifts, then you want to make sure you are finding the best battery watering technologies on the market. Let's explore a few options!
Flow-rite offers single-point battery watering systems that ensure a quicker and safer solution to manual watering. There are three battery watering systems to choose from including the Millennium Evo, Pro-Fill, or Qwik-Fill systems. And if you forget to water your batteries, Flow-Rite has both software and hardware to monitor your battery maintenance, such as electrolyte level indicators and a battery maintenance app.
For a broader range of water systems, Philadelphia Scientific offers a variety of battery water technologies. Whether your warehouse needs a high-speed filling system, or you’re looking for more budget-friendly solutions, they're sure to have a battery watering system to fit your needs.
If you need help finding the right forklift battery charging technologies for your warehouse or if you’re interested in reconditioned forklift batteries, reach out to the experts at Southern States Motive Power. Our experts are ready to provide you with more information about forklift battery charging procedures and general warehouse equipment solutions so you can make the best choice for your unique needs!