Hi guys,
I'm a buyer for an engineering company and have been tasked with replacing the batteries in both of our fork lift trucks, a CAT NR14K and a Crown 2.5FCTT. I've got a container coming in from China with some of our regular orders so it makes sense to buy them there and have them shipped back, it's where they mostly originate from anyway. Can anyone give me any ideas as to what exactly I need to be asking for when buying a battery? I have no idea about fork lifts/batteries! Do they just need the dimensions of the cells and the voltage?
Thanks in advance!
Rick.
Showing items 1 - 16 of 16 results.
yes maybe i misunderstood ;o)
sorry about that
Hello Swoop
Probably small misunderstanding.
From the beginning I simply advised the purchase of the complete, assembled battery basing upon the data I specified.
Selfassembling the battery is a technical ****.
Don't do it, Rick.
after going through all the posts here am i correct in karait's posts as instructing you on how to assemble a forklift battery (basically build one yourself?)
i would not advise that, you can buy them already assembled and save yourself alot of trouble.
all you need is the battery compartment size and truck specs which are usually stamped on the dataplate of the truck. Or you can supply the full model and serial number of the truck and someone with a manual on that truck can then give you the battery specifications for that truck so you can get the correct battery.
Once you get the truck information and determine what battery size and voltage goes in the machine call the battery company and order it.
Assembling industrial batteries should ONLY be done by the manufacturer of the battery or a qualified industrial battery vendor service center. Paying them to assemble one may cost you more than just buying one (preassembled) straight away. Plus trying to find a battery center to assemble one from components you buy might be harder to do than you think. Unless they sell the components you're providing they probably wont touch it with a 10 meter pole ;o)
just some thoughts on this that came to mind
Hi Rick,
This TMHD 455/4 looks for me like the Fiamm battery type.
Fiamm is the th european battery manufacturer, pretty popular on south.
According to my tables, the battery has the following parameters:
48 V
500 Ah
750 Kg weight
83 mm cell width
4,9 kg acid per cell
Eventually look here:
www dot luke dot cz slash download slash TMHD dot pdf
Hope it helps
Hi all, I think I'm nearly there with the info needed!
The problem I'm having now is finding out what Amp I need, I've got the voltage, dimensions, min and max weight for both batteries. The Crown battery says 950Ah.
I think all I need is the Ah for the CAT, however the spec plate (sticker) has been scuffed and worn away so it's illegible, is there any way of finding this out? I've tried google etc with no luck!
sorry guys
slip of the tongue
Yes Water ( without sulfates or Iron ) is sufficient------ normally
just shows that you need to be careful when giving advice !!!!!!!
will be more careful in the future
yes rickb,
use ionized water and charge the battery using an equalizing charge
it should revitalize the acid levels and desulfate the plates somewhat.
adding acid to the cells is never advised unless you are reconditioning a battery, and this is usually only done at a qualified battery center.
I've also just been reading up online about filling the dry cells with battery acid as Normandy suggested, from what I've read you just fill with normal deionised battery water and job done?
Hi guys,
Thanks for all the comments/help, it's much appreciated!
The info I've got on the CAT battery so far is: 48V (possibly 500ah, although that part of the battery sticker has worn off so I googled it against the type, which according to the spec plate is TMHD 455/4), the outer battery box dimensions and the min weight (it doesn't specify a maximum weight). Anderson socket.
For the Crown I've got the outer battery box dims, the min and max battery weight, 48V, 950AH. Anderson socket.
Unfortunately both trucks are well out of the manufacturers warranty. We bought them second hand and the dealer warranty was 12 months on the batteries, they went wrong just after the 12 month period, so we don't have a leg to stand on.
In addition to the above points make sure to ask the suppliers about warranty. Most will offer 4 to 5 years on a sliding scale. Remember that the cheapest to buy isn't necessarily the cheapest to own. The cheaper batteries will not last as long as the premium brands.
Bolt on cells are easier to install although burn on types will work equally well. Most machines will accommodate several different capacity batteries. The old batteries may be speced right but if your application has changed in anyway, for example you have increased the height of your racking or you have extended the working hours of the machine per week, then considering a higher capacity battery is a worthwhile exercise.
Not a problem - the wgt. thing is something that is easy to overlook when one concentrates - on voltage, AH & kwh capacity, case sizes, compartrment sizes, connector type & location, etc.
Hey I guess I did learn something about a lift truck after 41 years before I hung up my spurs.
Forgot about the weights, thank you John J.
This is definitely, very important issue.
It may happen, that the supplier has to add some extra weight (usually - the lead) to the battery under the cells, to preserve the truck stability.
Would add one more thing to your battery spec requirements - the minimum & maximum battery weigth required for the lift. This data should be on the trucks name plate.
The battery weight is directly related to the lifting capacity of teh lift.
HI RICK
Everything Karait said is correct. I believe that he is one of the contributors to this site that does know his stuff.
On a practical issue
Do you have somebody to assemble the batteries when the cells arrive
If they are not really familiar with the process ensure that the cell terminals are of the Screw On type ( Easier )
Individual cells may be shipped dry so you may need acid when they arrive.
You will also need to dispose of the old cells in an approved manner
As an importer this will become your responsibility.
None of this is complicated. Just needs to be done
Thank you for the help Karait, that's exactly the type of answer I was hoping for :) I'll go and check the battery info now and let you know how I get on!
Thanks again!
Rick.
Hi Rick
Definitely you need to specify the battery parameters (Voltage in V, capacity in Ah) and type of cells (PzS).
The best way is to get this information from the old batteries.
You should find them on the info plates, and the information should be like: 4PzS 550 48V or 4PzB 550 48V
It means, that the battery has 48V voltage, 550 Ah capacity and according to DIN standard (PzS) or British Standard (PzB) it has 4 positive plates in each cell.
Additionally you should define the external box dimesions (L x B x H), type of the socket (may be FEM or Anderson type, read the rated current from them; may be 80A, 160A, 320A) and eventually the length of the battery cable.
Basing upon this, every serious battery manufacturer should tailor the battery suitable for you.
Good luck
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.