Batteries

Using a lithium-ion battery to power a lift truck has many advantages in the right application, but (at the time of writing in June 2021) the requirements to assure lithium-ion batteries are safe for use in potentially explosive atmospheres is not clear. Some manufacturers have placed trucks with lithium-ion batteries into Ex applications but others, including Pyroban do not believe the technology is appropriate at this time. Steve Noakes, Managing Director of Pyroban and convenor of the EN1755 standards committee, explains the problem. We receive a growing number of enquiries for Ex-certified lithium-ion battery options, and for good reason. Lithium-ion batteries allow opportunity charging, require less maintenance, and offer longer operation between charges, so have proven to be po...

Hoppecke Industrial Batteries has launched trak | uplift, the latest in vented lead-acid technology. Combining quality, durability and economy, the new battery range provides the ideal solution for busy single shift operations. At the heart of all Hoppecke trak | uplift products is active carbon. In conjunction with other innovative developments this specially matched active material promotes higher current discharge characteristics, improved fast charging capabilities and increased service life for cyclic applications. New innovations include a 3D enhanced electrode design plus a protective shell separator, which prevents deposits of free active materials accumulating on the negative electrode, known as mossing – a major cause of short circuits. A pole feed-through, with a labyr...

Listening closely to its frontline engineering team has enabled Hoppecke Industrial Batteries to introduce two new innovations that will significantly enhance its mobile engineering support. To cater for the needs of small to large fleets the company has introduced a range of water filling trolleys, now part of the standard equipment in its service vans. The battery-operated trolley provides top up water for up to three batteries and is easy to carry and store. Hoppecke also offers a smaller manually operated bottle for smaller fleets. Having a topping trolley readily to hand during their regular service visits allows Hoppecke's engineers to ensure that customers' batteries are topped up regularly and correctly. Says Hoppecke engineer Colin Williams, "It's vital that forklift ...