IMPACT HANDLINGS TOP 10 TIPS:
LEAD-ACID BATTERY
MAINTENANCE
A good fork lift truck battery
maintenance regime will maximise
productivity, enhance site safety and
help minimise fleet costs.
So, here is our top ten list of the everyday things
fleet managers and operators can do to get the most
out of lead-acid battery powered equipment.
1
MONITOR
LEVELS
Maintaining the correct battery fluid levels is an
essential part of extracting the full performance
potential from any battery. Levels should
neither be too low nor too high – top up the
cells so that the plates and separators are just
covered by electrolyte. Battery manufacturers
recommend that levels are regularly checked.
Doing so will also help prevent premature
damage or failure. Always make sure that
only distilled, de-ionised water is used when
topping-up any lead acid battery.
2
TOP-UP AFTER A CHARGE
AND NOT BEFORE
As the water in batteries is critical to the
transfer of energy, the introduction of fresh
water must occur at the correct time during
its charging cycle, which is after the battery
has completed its charge and never before.
Electrolyte expands when it gets warm so
topping up before a charge can result in
spillage of electrolyte.
3
ENSURE BATTERY AND
CHARGER COMPATIBILITY
There is an important difference between
a charger that simply works and one that is
specifically designed to correctly charge a
given type and make of battery. Check with
battery suppliers to confirm that the correct
charging equipment is being used.
Using incorrect chargers can be extremely
dangerous, can damage batteries and may
also compromise insurance cover. Always
follow the charging procedure shown in your
charger’s manual.
4
ALLOW BATTERIES
TO FULLY CHARGE
Batteries will always perform best after a full
charge. Avoid the temptation to partially charge
them, or to interrupt a charging cycle. Doing
so could damage the battery permanently,
reducing its capacity as well as potentially
shortening its life.
5
LET BATTERIES
COOL
A typical lead acid battery needs to be left for a
good two hours to cool after every charge. Build
this time into your charging schedule and make
it a mandated part of your health and safety
best practice.
6
KEEP AN EYE
ON THE BDI
Equipment operators should continually
monitor the status shown on Battery Discharge
Indicators. Batteries should ideally be
recharged when their indicator shows around
25% charge remaining. Doing so will keep them
in optimum condition and allow the battery
to deliver its maximum capacity for longer.
Newer machines are also programmed to cut
out the hydraulic function when 80% discharge
is reached, preventing lift, however drive
functions remain unaffected.
NEED MORE
ADVICE?
For more information on how
to keep your batteries working
at peak performance, feel free
to call our material handling
specialists on:
0800 169 9789
7
CHECK CABLES,
PLUGS AND CHARGERS
Battery leads can be prone to damage or
corrosion, as can plugs and chargers.
Check all equipment and connections and
report any frayed wires or worn insulation.
A weekly visual inspection will help identify
any issues before they can affect the operation
of the machinery.
8
USE BATTERIES
EVENLY
When operating more than one battery, such
as in multiple shift environments, make sure
that they are all used and charged evenly. This
will avoid the risk of any one battery being
over-cycled, which could result in a decrease
in performance and shortening of its useful
life. Implementing Battery Monitoring System
technology will keep operators informed of
batteries’ status and ensure even use.
9
KEEP LIDS
CLEAN
The lids of battery cells should always be
kept clean and free from debris. Doing so
will prevent potential earth leakage and any
subsequent reduction in capacity.
10
THINK
SAFETY!
Whenever working with batteries always
wear suitable protective clothing and use
appropriate safety equipment. Ensure spill kits
and an eye wash station is located within your
charing area. Remember to also provide good
ventilation to all batteries and chargers when
charging and keep battery compartment lids
open if charging the battery in situ. And don’t
forget to safely store the charge cables when
not in use, this will avoid unnecessary damage
as well as removing any potential trip hazards.
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Hull/ Hull Docks
Unit 8, Priory Tec Park
Saxon Way, Hessle
Hull, HU13 9PB.
Tel: 01482 329824
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1 Derbyshire Court
West Moor Park
Doncaster
DN3 3FD.
Tel: 01302 834924
Birmingham
93 Cato Street
Birmingham
B7 4TS.
Tel: 0121 3592623
Manchester
Unit 2, Europa Triangle
John Gilbert Way
Trafford Park
Manchester, M17 1FP.
Tel: 0161 8773154
Nottingham
Gainsborough Bus. Pk.
Fields Farm Road, Long Eaton
Nottingham, NG10 1PX.
Tel: 01159 460777
Boston
7-10 Redstone Ind. Est.
Redstone Road
Boston, Lincolnshire
PE21 8EA.
Tel: 01205 351722
Corby
4 Brunel Road
Earltrees
Corby, NN17 4JW.
Tel 01536 463900
Ipswich
Claydon Business Park
Gipping Road
Great Blakenham
Ipswich, IP6 0NL.
Tel: 01473 833300
Bristol
35 Lysander Road
Bowerhill Ind. Est.
Melksham, Wiltshire SN12 6SP.
Tel: 01225 707076
Leeds
Howley Park Road East
Morley
Leeds, West Yorkshire
LS27 0SW.
Tel: 01924 278 609
© 2019, MCFE. All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, LET’S DO THE WORK, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow”, the “Power Edge” and Cat “Modern Hex” trade dress as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.
NO COMPROMISE FLEXIBILITY
Scotland
13 Brocks Way
Broxburn
EH52 5NB
Scotland
Tel: 01506 859 599
www.impact-handling.com
SHORT TERM
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NEW / USED
TRUCKS
SERVICE GENUINE
PARTS
ATTACHMENTS
& ANCILLARIES
TRAINING
®

Preview text:

IMPACT HANDLING’S TOP 10 TIPS: LEAD-ACID BATTERY MAINTENANCE
A good fork lift truck battery
maintenance regime will maximise
productivity, enhance site safety and
help minimise fleet costs.

So, here is our top ten list of the everyday things
fleet managers and operators can do to get the most
out of lead-acid battery powered equipment. 1 2 3 MONITOR
TOP-UP AFTER A CHARGE ENSURE BATTERY AND LEVELS AND NOT BEFORE CHARGER COMPATIBILITY
Maintaining the correct battery fluid levels is an As the water in batteries is critical to the
There is an important difference between
essential part of extracting the full performance transfer of energy, the introduction of fresh
a charger that simply works and one that is
potential from any battery. Levels should
water must occur at the correct time during
specifically designed to correctly charge a
neither be too low nor too high – top up the
its charging cycle, which is after the battery
given type and make of battery. Check with
cells so that the plates and separators are just
has completed its charge and never before.
battery suppliers to confirm that the correct
covered by electrolyte. Battery manufacturers
Electrolyte expands when it gets warm so
charging equipment is being used.
recommend that levels are regularly checked.
topping up before a charge can result in
Using incorrect chargers can be extremely
Doing so will also help prevent premature spillage of electrolyte.
dangerous, can damage batteries and may
damage or failure. Always make sure that
also compromise insurance cover. Always
only distilled, de-ionised water is used when
follow the charging procedure shown in your
topping-up any lead acid battery. charger’s manual. 4 5 6 ALLOW BATTERIES LET BATTERIES KEEP AN EYE TO FULLY CHARGE COOL ON THE BDI
Batteries will always perform best after a full
A typical lead acid battery needs to be left for a Equipment operators should continually
charge. Avoid the temptation to partially charge good two hours to cool after every charge. Build monitor the status shown on Battery Discharge
them, or to interrupt a charging cycle. Doing
this time into your charging schedule and make
Indicators. Batteries should ideally be
so could damage the battery permanently,
it a mandated part of your health and safety
recharged when their indicator shows around
reducing its capacity as well as potentially best practice.
25% charge remaining. Doing so will keep them shortening its life.
in optimum condition and allow the battery
to deliver its maximum capacity for longer.
Newer machines are also programmed to cut
out the hydraulic function when 80% discharge
is reached, preventing lift, however drive functions remain unaffected. 7 8 CHECK CABLES, USE BATTERIES NEED MORE PLUGS AND CHARGERS EVENLY ADVICE?
Battery leads can be prone to damage or
When operating more than one battery, such
For more information on how
corrosion, as can plugs and chargers.
as in multiple shift environments, make sure
to keep your batteries working
Check all equipment and connections and
that they are all used and charged evenly. This
at peak performance, feel free
report any frayed wires or worn insulation.
will avoid the risk of any one battery being
to call our material handling
A weekly visual inspection will help identify
over-cycled, which could result in a decrease specialists on:
any issues before they can affect the operation
in performance and shortening of its useful of the machinery.
life. Implementing Battery Monitoring System
technology will keep operators informed of 0800 169 9789
batteries’ status and ensure even use. 9 10 KEEP LIDS THINK CLEAN SAFETY!
The lids of battery cells should always be
Whenever working with batteries always
kept clean and free from debris. Doing so
wear suitable protective clothing and use
will prevent potential earth leakage and any
appropriate safety equipment. Ensure spill kits
subsequent reduction in capacity.
and an eye wash station is located within your
charing area. Remember to also provide good
ventilation to all batteries and chargers when
charging and keep battery compartment lids
open if charging the battery in situ. And don’t
forget to safely store the charge cables when
not in use, this will avoid unnecessary damage
as well as removing any potential trip hazards.
NO COMPROMISE FLEXIBILITY SHORT TERM NEW / USED SERVICE GENUINE ATTACHMENTS TRAINING RENTAL TRUCKS PARTS & ANCILLARIES ® Nationwide Coverage Hull/ Hull Docks Nottingham Corby Birmingham Bristol Unit 8, Priory Tec Park Gainsborough Bus. Pk. 4 Brunel Road 93 Cato Street 35 Lysander Road Saxon Way, Hessle Fields Farm Road, Long Eaton Earltrees Birmingham Bowerhill Ind. Est. Hull, HU13 9PB. Nottingham, NG10 1PX. Corby, NN17 4JW. B7 4TS. Melksham, Wiltshire SN12 6SP. Tel: 01482 329824 Tel: 01159 460777 Tel 01536 463900 Tel: 0121 3592623 Tel: 01225 707076 Doncaster Boston Ipswich Manchester Leeds Scotland 1 Derbyshire Court 7-10 Redstone Ind. Est. Claydon Business Park Unit 2, Europa Triangle Howley Park Road East 13 Brocks Way West Moor Park Redstone Road Gipping Road John Gilbert Way Morley Broxburn Doncaster Boston, Lincolnshire Great Blakenham Trafford Park Leeds, West Yorkshire EH52 5NB DN3 3FD. PE21 8EA. Ipswich, IP6 0NL. Manchester, M17 1FP. LS27 0SW. Scotland Tel: 01302 834924 Tel: 01205 351722 Tel: 01473 833300 Tel: 0161 8773154 Tel: 01924 278 609 Tel: 01506 859 599 www.impact-handling.com
© 2019, MCFE. All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, LET’S DO THE WORK, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow”, the “Power Edge” and Cat “Modern Hex” trade dress as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.