Replacing forklift batteries can be confusing and expensive because there are so many batteries on the market. The energy experts at BSL Battery - Industrial have provided a simple list of 9 reasons BSLBATT lithium batteries are better than other lithium-ion batteries to help you choose the right forklift battery for your material handling needs.
When choosing a battery, you first consider the type of electric forklift battery you want. As a leader in lithium technology, BSL Battery - Industrial's mission is to lead customers toward clean, safe, and innovative lithium technology platforms. BSLBATT® is working hard to promote the transformation of traditional industries and advocate for cleaner and more efficient energy supply utilization. Of course, at BSLBATT®, we understand that not all lithium-ion batteries are the same. We design and manufacture lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries for improved energy efficiency, safety, and longevity.
Our batteries are used in industrial applications such as transport refrigeration and material handling equipment, and we want to ensure that our customers get the best and most reliable performance from our batteries and that we can do it in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. Here are 9 reasons LiFePO4 batteries are better:
1. Safety: LiFePO4 batteries are known for their excellent electrical and chemical stability, which reduces the risk of thermal runaway or explosion, making them inherently safer than other lithium-ion battery chemistries. During our rigorous safety testing, our batteries can't induce thermal runaway.
2. Longer service life: Li-ion batteries have a service life of 3000 cycles or more, while lead-acid batteries only have a service life of 500-1000 cycles. Li-ion batteries typically have a service life several times that of lead-acid batteries, so lithium-ion products have a longer effective service life. The number of cycles is also calculated as a percentage of charge each time the battery is connected to a charger. This is not a cycle. This means that a 10% charge of a lithium-ion battery is 1/10 of 1 cycle, while a 10% charge of a lead-acid battery is 1 full cycle.
3. Stability at high temperatures: Industrial environments often involve high temperatures, which reduce battery performance and service life. Compared to other Li-ion chemistries, our LiFePO4 batteries exhibit superior stability at high temperatures, ensuring reliable operation even under harsh conditions.
4. Opportunity for charging: While lead-acid batteries always require a full charge cycle of 8-12 hours to maintain battery chemistry balance, Li-ion batteries like to be charged randomly. They can be plugged into wall power and charged for 10 minutes during lunch. This provides an innovative way to work shifts and reduces the total AAH carried by the truck.
5. High discharge rate: LiFePO4 batteries can provide high discharge currents without a significant voltage drop or capacity loss. This capability is critical for industrial equipment that requires power bursts, such as material handling machinery. This ensures consistent performance even during peak demand.
6. Higher efficiency: Most Li-ion batteries have an efficiency of 95% or higher, meaning that 95% or more of the energy stored in the Li-ion battery is used. In contrast, lead-acid batteries have an efficiency closer to 80% to 85%.
7. Low Self-Discharge Rate: LiFePO4 batteries have a lower self-discharge rate than other lithium-ion battery chemistries, which means they can hold a charge longer when not in use. This feature is useful for industrial systems that may experience intermittent use or standby operation, ensuring that the battery is always available when needed.
8. Fast Charging Capability: More efficient batteries charge faster, and increased efficiency means higher effective capacity. Lithium batteries take 2-3 hours to charge, while lead-acid batteries take 8 hours. Lithium batteries reduce warehouse downtime.
9. Environmentally Friendly: LiFePO4 batteries are considered more environmentally friendly than other lithium-ion batteries due to the absence of toxic heavy metals such as cobalt. This is in line with our sustainability goals and helps our customers reduce their environmental impact.
When choosing the right forklift battery, you may think that lithium-ion batteries are not suitable for the lead-acid machine you are using. Since 2012, BSL Battery - Industrial has offered a range of high-quality lithium-ion battery packs to transform your lead-acid trucks into clean lithium-ion batteries. Certified to UL2580, IEC, CE, and UN38.3, these battery packs include proprietary battery management systems (BMS) and cloud platform technologies, providing customers with better performance, lower cost of ownership, and more environmentally friendly solutions than traditional lead-acid and propane batteries in many use cases. Learn more about our full range of products here:
Our batteries are designed with robust performance and reliability to improve operational efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and enhance safety in industrial environments. As we said, not all lithium-ion batteries are created equal!
