DC Velocity - August 2014

56 DC VELOCITY AUGUST 2014 www.dcvelocity.com m ate r ia l h a nd l i n g u p dat e

BA T T E RI E S AN D CHA RG E R S

Scalable modular chargers. Hawker Powersource has introduced the Lifetech Mod1 and Lifetech Mod1C high-frequency chargers. Their modular design allows each power module to operate independently. If one module stops working, the others continue charging the battery. The modules also automatically adjust based on a battery’s charge-cycle requirements. The scalable design, with three-bay and six-bay charger cabinets, lets users add or remove modules in response to changing power needs. Hawker Powersource ( www.hawkerpowersource.com)

Continual high-efficiency chargers. Power Designers USA says its Revolution series of smart battery chargers provides energy efficiencies that exceed current charging technology. The chargers employ a patent-pending technology that maintains efficiencies of 90 percent or greater over the entire charge cycle, not just during peak efficiencies measured during a limited portion of the charge cycle. This results in true energy savings of 6 percent or more compared with leading high-frequency chargers and results in the lowest energy cost per charge cycle in the industry, the manufacturer says. Power Designers USA LLC ( www.powerdesigners.com)

Bar-code scanner for tracking battery performance. Philadelphia Scientific has introduced the iBOS bar-code scanner, an added feature of its iBOS battery-room management system. When combined with the battery-room management system, the bar-code scanner provides for increased visibility into battery and lift truck utilization. The handheld scanner enables the tracking of individual battery run times and lift truck utilization by scanning bar codes on each battery and truck. This information is then fed into the iBOS system and is reported through the iBOSWorld Web Service. Philadelphia Scientific LLC ( www.phlsci.com)

Unmanned battery changing system.
Sackett Systems’ Northstar fully auto-
mated, high-speed system is capable of
performing battery changes in one min-
ute or less. Northstar uses laser distance
measuring to precisely move, position,
and map each battery location and is
coordinated with the integrated Guardian
Battery Management System for optimized battery rota-
tion. The modular Northstar is easy to configure and incor-
porates an Allen Bradley SLC control system for ease of
use, reliability, and longevity. Sackett Systems Inc. (www.
sackettsystems.com)

Digital specific gravity tester for lead acid batteries. The SBS-2003 specific gravity tester from Storage Battery Systems (SBS) eliminates the need to write down readings and type them into reports or spreadsheets. Users simply insert the nozzle into the battery and depress the finger pump, which draws a few drops of sulfuric acid through the tube. Within three seconds, the measured refractive index is converted into a temperature-compensated specific gravity reading, and the specific gravity, temperature, and cell count are displayed. Data can then be transferred to a PC or laptop via Bluetooth, and the results can be downloaded into Excel. Storage Battery Systems LLC ( www.sbsbattery.com) N

Battery care and maintenance is a complex subject—you’ll be excused if you sometimes feel you’d need a degree in physics to understand it. So where can you get a good education in lift truck batteries, chargers, and associated equipment? Speaking with manufacturers and dealers is the first step. But you can also access a remarkable array of information on manufacturers’ and dealers’ websites. In addition to the usual product literature and dealer directories, these websites often feature staff-written blogs with an educational focus, FAQs (frequently asked questions), safety information, videos that demonstrate how to use and maintain the vendor’s products, and links to a wide range of information resources. Some include free online calculators of various types, guides for matching batteries with specific lift truck models, recycling guidelines, free educational webinars, white papers, newsletters, and more.

There’s even a trade show devoted entirely to batteries! The Battery Show, scheduled for Sept. 16–18 in Novi, Mich., will showcase advanced battery solutions for electric and hybrid vehicles, utility and renewable energy support, portable electronics, and more. (www. thebatteryshow.com)