Choosing the right pallet jack battery can be tough, especially since there are so many variables to take into consideration that could impact your business’s bottom line. You need to deliberate on the type of battery options you have, the size and shape of the battery you need, your budget, key differences between top brands, cycle life, and charging speed. Making the wrong selection can cost you both financially and in terms of efficiency. To make the best pallet jack battery choice, it is imperative to understand the factors that can directly impact your business operations - from improving productivity to reducing labor costs.
What Kind Of Battery Does My Pallet Jack Need?
Powered pallet jacks are used in places such as warehouses to lift a single heavy pallet, or stacked pallets, with greater ease than manual pallets. This is done with a throttle that helps navigate the pallet jack forward and backward and uses its forks to move around large amounts of heavy items. Powered pallet jacks usually run on 24 volts and must utilize powerful and long-lasting batteries in order to ensure the efficient functioning of the pallet jack as well as minimal down time.
Types of Pallet Jack Batteries
While lead-acid batteries have historically been relied on to power forklifts and pallet jacks, many newer options exist that offer superior performance with little to no maintenance. The most common types of pallet jack batteries today are AGM, VRLA and lithium-ion batteries. Each choice has unique traits to keep in mind when considering which pallet jack battery to invest in.
Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Battery
An AGM battery can be charged much like other lead-acid batteries, but the key differences from other lead-acid batteries are that AGM batteries are leak-proof and perform a bit better in cold temperatures. An AGM battery also requires less maintenance than a traditional lead- acid battery. AGM batteries do cost more than regular deep-cycle lead acid batteries because of the cost associated with the design, which has a fiber mat sandwiched between the battery’s plates.
Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) Battery
VRLA lead acid batteries are made with electrolyte suspended in a fiberglass mat or a gel. In the case of gel being used, the battery is referred to as a gel battery. Like AGM batteries, VRLA batteries also have less maintenance than other lead- acid batteries and are leak proof.
Lithium-ion Battery
These are a lightweight and rechargeable option that can supply a greater amount of power in a much smaller package compared to lead-acid batteries - all while providing the highest round trip efficiency of the three battery types. Compared to lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries last 4-5x longer, on average. These batteries also require the least amount of maintenance.
What Makes a Good Pallet Jack Battery?
Despite all of the possible choices there are for pallet jack batteries, lithium-ion batteries stand out as the top choice due to their minimal maintenance and weight, as well as their longevity, efficiency, and higher power capacity. RELiON’s InSight 24V Battery offers 60Ah and weighs only 34.4 lbs., making it a powerful choice for your pallet jack. The list of reasons as to why lithium-ion batteries are superior for powered pallet jacks is long, but some of the most important ones to pay attention to are:
- Lithium-ion is a lightweight choice coming in at ¼ the weight of lead-acid batteries. Lighter weight batteries often translate to faster speed on warehouse floors.
- They are more environmentally friendly than lead-acid batteries with better performance in terms of climate change mitigation as well as resource use.
- Lithium-ion batteries are significantly more compact than lead-acid and AGM batteries, allowing them to be easily placed into a wide range of locations.
- These batteries require much less maintenance than lead- acid batteries due in part to the fact that they do not have to be equalized. They also don’t have to be monitored as closely to make sure they do not overcharge or over discharge, unlike lead-acid batteries, which have to stay within a much shallower depth of discharge range so as to not damage the batteries.
- Compared to the average 5 to 8-year lifespan of lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries last upwards of 15 to 20 years.
- Lithium-ion batteries have higher energy density coming in at 125 to 600 Wh/L compared to the 50 to 90 Wh/L found in lead-acid batteries.
- Since lithium batteries last much longer, on average, than all lead- acid batteries, their higher upfront price point is often justified because their longevity reduces the much more frequent replacement costs associated with shorter lifespan lead- acid batteries.
How To Make Sure You Choose the Right Pallet Jack Battery
Selecting the right pallet jack battery can mean the difference between maximum productivity and failure when it comes to your operational goals. To make the best choice for your business’ goals, you may need help, and RELiON has its battery experts on standby that you can contact to get answers to all of your questions.