Discussion:
Setting the BDI

We have a customer that is not getting any run time out of there batteries. We have check the batteries and charger(ok) I have a concern that the BDI is not set right and needs to be adjusted.
  • Posted 2 Feb 2011 04:19
  • By vickbear
  • joined 18 Aug'10 - 3 messages
  • South Dakota, United States
Showing items 1 - 3 of 3 results.
go into the acess one modual and go to the feature section. scroll through the list till you get to the BDI make sure its set at 5 that factory setting to change it it the lower button and change the setting then hit the button again.. lower than five will deplette the battery further over 5 it will give the operator less time
  • Posted 5 May 2011 20:33
  • By irrk1
  • joined 5 May'11 - 24 messages
  • Massachusetts, United States
Thanks! This is good info. I have a question how do you get in to the system to check where the BDI is set or to change the settings
  • Posted 3 Feb 2011 00:01
  • By vickbear
  • joined 18 Aug'10 - 3 messages
  • South Dakota, United States
Not sure what you mean when you say you have checked the battery and charger and they are OK. I think the BDI setting is 1 to 9 in the features or performance menu. 5 is the factory setting. When people say they are not getting any run time, it can mean a lot of things. What is their expectation? Six hours continuous until it goes into lift interupt is about the norm I have had people tell me the battery is not holding up and find out the meter went down 3 bars in 2 hours which is normal.

I would try some of these things until you nail down the problem.
1. Check all the cells with a hydrometer and battery fully charged.
2. Check all the cell voltages.
3 Make sure every cell has water. Single point watering systems can have a bad filler or injector and cause a problem
4. Check the battery under a load, such as max lift at relief pressure. I would be looking for about 33 volts charged and no less than 28 or 29 volts fully discharged. There is no spec in a book of this. It is just what I have found from experience.
5. Check the brake air gap..010 to.040 is the spec ( off the top of my head). Shoot for.015-.020.
6 Swap the battery with another truck.
7. Have the operator use a different charger.
8 Have the customer put it on equalize charge every night for a week and keep the water up. Have had this help run time many times. Are they doing a weekly equalize charge or are the chargers set up to do this automatically every week?
9. Make sure they are not short charging the battery. Sometimes operators will charge at lunch, see a full charge, and have the meter drop real fast in the first 15 minutes.

As far as checking the batteries, I am not a battery tech, but I think you are looking for no more than 10 points (.010) difference in specific gravity and no more than.05 volts difference in cell voltages.
  • Posted 2 Feb 2011 10:42
  • Modified 2 Feb 2011 10:43 by poster
  • By Liftdoctor
  • joined 22 Jan'05 - 115 messages
  • Indiana, United States

Post your Reply

Forkliftaction accepts no responsibility for forum content and requires forum participants to adhere to our rules of conduct. Click here for more information.

If you are having trouble using the Discussion Forums, please contact us for help.

Fact of the week
Brothers Adolf ("Adi") and Rudolf ("Rudi") Dassler split their shoe company after WWII due to a bitter feud, and established the rival companies of Adidas and Puma. Their personal animosity and business rivalry divided their German hometown Herzogenaurach. The town became known as "the town of bent necks" due to the intense loyalty to each brand.
JCB 533-105
Braeside, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Hire
Hoist Liftruck F180-36BOX-CAR
Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, United States
Used - Sale & Hire
Editorial calendar - planned features
CONSTRUCTION FORKLIFTS
HANDLING GOODS IN THE COLD
LOADING/UNLOADING FREIGHT
BROWNFIELD AUTOMATION
FORKLIFT ATTACHMENTS
BATTERY AFFORDABILITY AND LIFETIME
FORKLIFT SAFETY
JCB 533-105
Braeside, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Hire
Hoist Liftruck F180-36BOX-CAR
Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, United States
Used - Sale & Hire
Editorial calendar - planned features
CONSTRUCTION FORKLIFTS
HANDLING GOODS IN THE COLD
LOADING/UNLOADING FREIGHT
BROWNFIELD AUTOMATION
FORKLIFT ATTACHMENTS
BATTERY AFFORDABILITY AND LIFETIME
FORKLIFT SAFETY