In dusty environments, charger fans need to be checked to ensure they aren’t getting clogged. There are some specific things to check for on chargers, such as some units that have fans built in. Any changes in shift schedules, ambient temperature, duty cycle, even operators, can have a more profound impact on the productivity of a facility as it relates to the power put back into the battery from the charger.”įor starters, regular PMs should include a close look at issues with chargers and batteries, with PM frequency aligned to the level of use and wear, says Galyen.
“As a result, every minute the battery is plugged into the charger counts. “Facilities that run multiple shifts and six plus days per week are more common, yet, batteries have transitioned to opportunity, fast charging and rapid charging of lithium batteries where there is no change out of the power source,” Galyen says.
This transition to opportunity charging makes charger maintenance more important, adds Galyen, since with no battery waiting to swap in, the chargers must be effective in keeping busy fleets up and running. The company also provides some embedded technician services for broader lift truck maintenance needs.Įlectric lift truck fleets are in an ongoing state of transition, notes Galyen, with more companies getting away from battery rooms and battery swaps, and adopting more fast charging and opportunity charging of lithium-ion batteries, thin-plate pure lead batteries, or in some cases, with conventional lead acid batteries. “There are many maintenance needs that tend to be overlooked, but batteries and chargers should not be one of them, because they end up being in the top five areas for spend dollars over the total life of an electric forklift,” says Michael Galyen, regional vice president for Concentric, a company that offers lift truck fleet power services, including maintenance of batteries and chargers. Sure, mechanical aspects of trucks like brakes or hydraulics need to be checked with daily inspections or preventative maintenance (PM) events, but if you aren’t paying close attention to batteries, chargers and charging best practices, your fleet could suffer.
With the majority of lift trucks used indoors, including warehouses, typically running off batteries of some type, lift truck maintenance and battery system maintenance are really part of the same objective: Keep the fleet performing as expected at the lowest possible cost.
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