Battery power..

fernur246 · April 2015

Are forklift batteries a good power source ?

BB. · April 2015

They can have very long life (10-20+ years). Use a larger amount of distilled water (flooded cell). May have a higher self discharge rate. And you should probably plan on 10%+ charging current/sized array (vs 5% minimum for weekend/seasonal cabin and "typical" flooded cell batteries).

Also, some Fork Lift Batteries have replaceable cells.

From our host, NAWS, their writeup on Crown Fork Lift Batteries they sell:

http://www.solar-electric.com/batter...nba24vo53.html

The Crown 12-85-11 is a heavy duty industrial (fork lift) type battery. These batteries are designed for extremely heavy usage. In a typical solar electric system they will normally last for about 20 years or more. We have been selling these for over 25 years and have the utmost confidence in their reliability. Fork lift batteries have a slightly different plate composition from smaller deep cycle batteries in order to withstand industrial usage. The self-discharge is slightly higher and they should be equalized about once a month. Some solar systems are not capable of putting out enough current to fully equalize these batteries - it will require about 40 to 80 amps, depending on which battery you're using. Most inverter chargers can supply that much amperage.

I am not sure--But some industrial type batteries may also require a higher equalization voltage--Something like 15.5 to 16+ volts ( 12 volt battery bank). Those high voltages can cause many AC inverters to shut down until the battery bus voltage is reduced.

-Bill

Photowhit · April 2015

I'm 4+ years in on mine, they are interesting, I've been happy. I run equalizing at about 31.4 volts on a 24 volt and haven't had a problem with my Prosine 1800 watt unit. In general it's less expensive units that have a narrow range of voltage. They in general, will use a bit more water, I added Water Miser battery caps and that has helped, may only add water every 2-3 months now other than summer when I work it pretty hard.

Unlike some batteries, they need at least a maintenance equalizing every month, so combined with using a bit more water, in general they need more maintenance.

If your looking at a used battery understand that they normally have a marked capacity for a 6 hour rate, normally we use a 20 hour rate in calculating capacities for solar powered systems. To give you an idea of the difference, my 804 amp hour 24 volt battery is rated at 510 amp hours at a 6 hour rate, so if you figure on half again (a+1/2a=20 hr rate) the size it is rated on the battery you should be in the ball park. I like Bill's recommended 10% of capacity minimum charge rate...

fernur246 · April 2015

[USER="3299"]Photowhit[/USER] What brand model forklift batteries are you using Photowhit ?

softdown · April 2015

It can be hard to replace a defective cell though still possible. Eliminating battery cables is attractive to me. Our code calls for 2/0 battery cables. Greater longevity would seem to be the big selling point.

Photowhit · April 2015

fernur246 wrote: »

[USER="3299"]Photowhit[/USER] What brand model forklift batteries are you using Photowhit ?

I purchased from GB Battery, This link goes to a price list. The price list includes delivery to a loading dock, up charges for a lift gate. The battery has been fine, though I had one cell that has always been a bit brownish and contuse to be brownish. It tends to be one of the higher SG cells, so I have no clue as to what happened. The battery was at least sort of made for me. I asked for custom cables that would be 10 feet long, and they couldn't understand that, so I ended up having them just put flag terminals on the battery. They also said total included all applicable taxes, but they didn't pay State sales tax said that was my responsibility.

Here's an Oldie but a Goodie, cell replacement on a forklift battery!

Here's a video of guys replacing a cell in a lift battery. Note this is being done outside or in a very large warehouse, by people have done this before. but at least you can see the interconnects of the battery cells.

softdown · April 2015

For a newbies first batteries, I may be inclined to recommend golf cart batteries. There are a hundred ways to ruin batteries....and an excellent chance of doing so. I'd rather lose $2000 than $4000 even if I only got 4-5 years instead of 6-10 years.....very roughly speaking.

Shoot....I might be buying golf cart batteries before long. I keep killing $200 batteries. Rather kill $100 batteries.

Photowhit · April 2015

The costs are a somewhat closer than that for me, but I agree, to start out golf cart batteries allow you to make less expensive mistakes.

If you get to the point of 3 or more parallel strings, The 804 ah lift battery was $2525 delivered and 4 strings of golf cart batteries 4 - 840 ah about $1600 with core fees and must pick up, if I moved up to L-6 size batteries the cost would be very close. I haven't heard of less than 10 years from a lift battery, but perhaps I'll be the first...lol. I used a perhaps hopeful 15 years when doing my calculations. I think that is realistic from the information I could glean., if well maintained. I'll report back in 10 years or so...

FWIW - I'm home from work, allergies, and started an equalizing about an hour ago, it's taking @ 2% current to maintain voltage at the beginning and have dropped to @1% in an hour.

Battery power..

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