*This article is sponsored by U.S. Battery
When selecting batteries for various rental equipment, balancing cost-effectiveness and maximum operating time can be difficult. Since battery-powered equipment such as forklifts, mini-cranes, and aerial work platforms varies, no single battery type (technology) works the same for all of them. Understanding the various battery types and knowing their advantages can help determine the overall performance of your equipment, no matter what it may be.
Currently, there are three primary battery types. They include Flooded Lead-Acid (FLA), Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM), and Lithium-ion (Li) deep-cycle batteries.
Flooded Lead-Acid (FLA)
Flooded lead-acid batteries are a popular and cost-effective option. Improvements to this established technology include enhanced positive electrodes featuring tetrabasic lead sulfate crystals with a more uniform structure. What does all this mean? This improved structure increases initial capacity, delivers faster cycle-up to peak capacity, and improves cycle life over FLA batteries of the past.
The basic design of an FLA battery features submerged electrodes in an aqueous electrolyte. During charging, water in the electrolyte is lost through electrolysis and must be replaced. This loss requires regular maintenance, including water replacement, cleaning, and re-tightening terminals. Fully charging these batteries also prevents sulfation and avoids freezing in cold weather. The advantages of FLA batteries include safety, reliability, low initial cost, and a wide range of capacities. They are also essentially 100% recyclable – the highest in the industry.
Advantages:
- Most cost-effective
- Nearly 100% recyclable
- Long cycle life
- Extremely reliable and used in many industries worldwide
- Heavy (compared to Li batteries of the same voltage and amp-hour rating, but are often used as a counterweight ballast on some equipment)
Disadvantages:
- Should not be discharged beyond 50% of its total capacity (Depth of Discharge)
- Requires monthly maintenance
- Requires ventilation
Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM)
AGM batteries have the electrolyte absorbed in special glass mat separators that surround the battery's electrodes and immobilize it. The design allows the battery to be sealed with a special one-way valve to control gassing and water loss. It eliminates the need to add water for almost maintenance-free operation, as well as preventing electrolyte leakage in even the most extreme conditions.
AGM batteries are more expensive than FLA batteries, but they are an excellent option for applications where batteries are difficult to access for regular maintenance. AGM design advancements in positive electrode corrosion resistance and carbon-enhanced negative active materials, have improved charge acceptance in partial-state-of-charge applications. They also offer a longer cycle life than previous models. AGM batteries are also almost 100% recyclable.
Advantages:
- Zero maintenance
- Nearly 100% recyclable
- Spill-proof and shock-resistant
- Withstands colder temperatures better than FLA and Li-ion batteries
- Better in tight battery compartments with less ventilation compared to FLA batteries
- Low self-discharge rate
- Heavy (compared to Li batteries of the same voltage and amp-hour rating, but are often used as a counterweight balast on some equipment)
Disadvantages:
- Higher in initial cost than FLA batteries of the same voltage and amp-hour rating
- Shorter Cycle Life than FLA batteries
Lithium-ion (LFP)
Lithium-ion batteries deliver peak power consistently and for extended periods, so the power doesn't diminish as the charge runs out. Most advanced Lithium batteries have an integrated battery management system (BMS) that regulates temperatures during charging and discharging. Some have special cell packaging for cooling, while others have built-in heaters for use in extreme cold.
Deep-cycle Li batteries typically demonstrate higher average cycle life than FLA and AGM batteries (from 2,000 to 5,000 cycles). Unlike other battery types, they can be discharged beyond 50-percent Depth of Discharge (DOD) without reducing cycle life. This increased discharge means fewer dead batteries are returned with your equipment. Lithium batteries also require no special maintenance and are lighter than FLA or AGM batteries in comparable applications. The weight loss may cause issues with cranes or lifts that use batteries as counterweight ballast. Customers should check with the equipment manufacturer before installing Lithium batteries. Lithium batteries also cost more initially than FLA and AGM chemistries, and lithium-ion batteries are currently not easily recyclable and require specialized, costly disposal methods.
Advantages:
- Zero maintenance
- Charge and discharge performance optimized by internal BMS
- Longer cycle life
- Low self-discharge rate
- Reduced weight compared to FLA and AGM batteries of similar voltage and amp-hour ratings
Disadvantages:
- Higher upfront cost than FLA or AGM batteries
- Very low rate of recyclability
- Some Li cells are better than others (check with the manufacturer)
- Reduced weight may not work well as a counterweight ballast for some equipment
Battery manufacturers such as U.S. Battery have comprehensive information libraries on their websites, showcasing various battery technologies and models specifically for battery-powered rental equipment, such as AWPs, cranes, forklifts, walkie stackers, and other applications. There, you can compare cycle-life ratings, obtain instruction manuals, determine energy storage capacity, and ultimately decide what's best for your system and energy needs. Visit www.usbattery.com
