As a supplier of order pickers, I often get asked about the types of batteries these machines use. It's a crucial question because the right battery can significantly impact the performance, efficiency, and lifespan of an order picker. In this blog, I'll break down the different kinds of batteries commonly used in order pickers and share some insights to help you make the best choice for your business.
Lead - Acid Batteries
Lead - acid batteries have been around for a long time and are still one of the most common choices for order pickers. They're known for their reliability and relatively low cost.
Flooded Lead - Acid Batteries
Flooded lead - acid batteries are the traditional type. They consist of lead plates submerged in an electrolyte solution of sulfuric acid and water. One of the main advantages of these batteries is their affordability. They're also quite robust and can handle high - current demands, which is important for powering order pickers that need to lift heavy loads and move around quickly.
However, they do require regular maintenance. You have to check and refill the electrolyte levels regularly to prevent the plates from drying out, which can damage the battery. Also, they produce hydrogen gas during charging, so they need to be charged in a well - ventilated area to avoid the risk of explosion.
Valve - Regulated Lead - Acid (VRLA) Batteries
VRLA batteries are a newer type of lead - acid battery. There are two main subtypes: Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) and Gel batteries.
AGM batteries use a fiberglass mat to hold the electrolyte in place. This design makes them spill - proof, which is a big plus for order pickers that might be moved around a lot or used in different positions. They also have a lower self - discharge rate compared to flooded lead - acid batteries, meaning they can hold their charge for longer when not in use.
Gel batteries, on the other hand, use a gel - like electrolyte. They're more resistant to vibration and shock, which is great for order pickers that operate in rough or uneven environments. Gel batteries are also maintenance - free, as they don't require electrolyte refilling.
Lithium - Ion Batteries
Lately, lithium - ion batteries have been gaining popularity in the order picker industry. They offer several advantages over lead - acid batteries.
High Energy Density
Lithium - ion batteries have a much higher energy density than lead - acid batteries. This means they can store more energy in a smaller and lighter package. For order pickers, this translates to longer run times and less weight, which can improve the overall efficiency of the machine.
Fast Charging
One of the biggest selling points of lithium - ion batteries is their fast - charging capability. They can be charged much quicker than lead - acid batteries, which means less downtime for your order pickers. This is especially beneficial in high - volume warehouses where order pickers need to be back in action as soon as possible.
Long Lifespan
Lithium - ion batteries also have a longer lifespan compared to lead - acid batteries. They can endure more charge - discharge cycles, which means you won't have to replace them as often. This can save you money in the long run, even though the initial cost of lithium - ion batteries is higher.
Nickel - Metal Hydride (NiMH) Batteries
NiMH batteries are another option, although they're not as commonly used in order pickers as lead - acid or lithium - ion batteries.
Higher Energy Density than Lead - Acid
They offer a higher energy density than lead - acid batteries, so they can provide more power for a given size. This can be useful for order pickers that need a bit more juice to get the job done.
Environmentally Friendly
NiMH batteries are more environmentally friendly compared to lead - acid batteries because they don't contain toxic lead. However, they do have some drawbacks. They have a higher self - discharge rate than lithium - ion batteries, which means they'll lose their charge more quickly when not in use. Also, they can be more expensive than lead - acid batteries.
Which Battery is Right for Your Order Picker?
The choice of battery depends on several factors.
Usage Frequency
If your order pickers are used frequently throughout the day, lithium - ion batteries might be the best choice because of their fast - charging and long - lifespan features. For less intensive use, lead - acid batteries could be sufficient and more cost - effective.
Environment
If your warehouse has a lot of vibrations or the order pickers are used in different positions, VRLA batteries (AGM or Gel) or lithium - ion batteries are better options as they're more resistant to spills and shocks.
Budget
If you're on a tight budget, flooded lead - acid batteries are the most affordable initial option. However, if you can afford the upfront cost, lithium - ion batteries can save you money in the long term due to their long lifespan and low maintenance requirements.
Our Order Picker Range and Battery Options
We offer a wide range of order pickers, each compatible with different battery types. For example, our Vertical Order Picker can be equipped with either lead - acid or lithium - ion batteries depending on your needs. Our Mobile Order Picker is designed to work efficiently with VRLA batteries for maximum portability and reliability.
Our Automated Order Picker often benefits from the fast - charging and high - energy - density features of lithium - ion batteries to keep up with its continuous operation. And for our Vertical Mast Boom Lift 26 ft, battery choice can be customized according to the frequency of use and working environment. Our Driving Order Picker is also available for different battery configurations to suit various customer requirements.
If you're in the market for an order picker or looking to replace the battery of your existing one, we're here to help. We can provide detailed information about the battery options for each of our products and assist you in making the best choice for your business. Get in touch with us to start a discussion about your order picker and battery needs. We're ready to help you find the perfect solution that fits your budget and operational requirements.
References
- Linden, D., & Reddy, T. B. (2001). Handbook of Batteries. McGraw - Hill.
- Burke, A. F. (2011). Batteries and Ultracapacitors for Electric, Hybrid Electric, and Fuel Cell Vehicles. Electrochemical Society Interface, 20(3), 27 - 32.