You may have noticed many suppliers promoting Li-ion batteries for forklifts. The technology is relatively new when it comes to forklifts, but warehouse managers are still asking many questions about their use in warehouse operations. Forklift battery manufacturers share the advantages and disadvantages of forklift lithium-ion batteries used in warehouses:
1. What are the advantages of lithium-ion batteries for forklifts used in warehouses?
1. Because the lithium-ion forklift body is two feet shorter than the lead-acid body, the operator can work in tight places. This is very convenient for loading trucks and maneuvering in narrow aisles.
2. Less heat is generated during charging and discharging.
Low temperature lithium iron phosphate battery 3.2V 20A
Low temperature lithium iron phosphate battery 3.2V 20A
Charging at -20°C, 3C discharge capacity at -40°C≥70%
Charging temperature: -20~45℃
-Discharge temperature: -40~+55℃
-40℃ supports maximum discharge rate: 3C
-40℃ 3C discharge capacity retention ≥70%
3. Since the battery is smaller, the rear forklift has a better view.
4. Li-ion batteries are lighter (also a disadvantage, see below).
5. They last longer. The increase in life was more than 100 percent, Kalmar said.
6. They charge faster than lead-acid batteries. A lithium battery can absorb 50% of its capacity in just 30 to 40 minutes of charging time. After 80 minutes, the lithium battery can reach the overflow state. Boost charging makes it possible to use lithium-ion equipped forklifts up to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without changing batteries.
7. Lithium-ion batteries have higher energy efficiency and do not need to change batteries in three shifts. Lithium-ion, especially lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), is particularly good when it comes to industrial battery use. The service life of lithium batteries is five times that of lead-acid batteries.
Low temperature high energy density 18650 3350mAh
Low temperature high energy density 18650 3350mAh
-40℃ 0.5C discharge capacity≥60%
Charging temperature: 0~45℃
Discharge temperature: -40~+55℃
Specific energy: 240Wh/kg
-40℃ discharge capacity retention rate: 0.5C discharge capacity ≥ 60%
8. Moreover, lithium batteries do not have the voltage dips suffered by lead-acid batteries. They electrify the overflow until exhaustion.
9. They have no sulfation issues and no outgassing safety issues. Therefore do not have a ventilation system in the charging area.
11. Lithium battery is safer.
12. Over the entire service life of the battery, its cost is lower compared with alternative products.
2. What are the disadvantages of lithium-ion batteries used in forklifts in warehouses?
1. Li-ion batteries are lighter, and the weight of a lead-acid battery acts as a counterweight to a forklift, so anyone supplying Li-ion batteries on a forklift has to compensate for the weight loss in the truck or battery box design. Forklifts can be designed around this shortcoming and additional counterweights can be added.
2. The battery needs to be managed by the system. Lead-acid batteries are dumb, but that's okay. If there is no management system on the lithium battery, it will be damaged. This added complexity means there are more potential problems and a chance of damaging the battery.
3. Due to the newer technology, there are few options for recycling at the end of life. That said, better and cheaper recycling options will emerge over time.
4. From an energy point of view, lithium-ion batteries are about four times lighter than lead-acid batteries, but their cost will be six to seven times higher (data in mid-2016), but prices are falling rapidly.
5. Cost is still a factor relative to lead-acid battery technology, but it is halving every year and should be the same or cheaper than lead-acid technology by 2020.
Phosphate batteries used in industrial use such as forklifts are not dangerous; their thermal stability and ability to handle abuse are very similar to gel lead-acid batteries. Forklift lithium-ion batteries are safe in warehouses and are much safer than lead-acid batteries.
