18.10.2007
Growing demand for onboard battery chargers
Onboard charging systems are becoming increasingly popular among industrial truck operators.
The trend is reported by Linde Material Handling in a recent press release. The optional design variation is now ordered for almost one in five electric forklift trucks in the load category from 1.2 to 2.0 tonnes. Linde is the first manufacturer in Europe to offer electric forklift trucks with an integrated battery charger, which have now been available for just over a year. "The new solution means that operators do not have to rely on centralised charging zones or battery stations", explains Emil Schneider, Head of Marketing for Germany, describing a major benefit. "All that is required is a CEE socket and charging can start without the need for any other technology. As well as independence from fixed charging stations, there is the added advantage that operating errors caused by selecting the wrong charger are now eliminated." Interim battery charging is an interesting option for rental trucks or vehicles in single-shift use in particular. "This is where operators gain much greater flexibility", says Schneider.
The high-frequency battery charger is located in the truck's counterweight. The control unit is now integrated directly in the new compact axle, which has created space for the onboard battery charger. The battery charger is adjusted to perfectly suit the vehicle's battery. A temperature sensor ensures that the battery is charged carefully, which has a positive effect on its service life. The high efficiency rate of high-frequency charging technology makes battery charging not only fast but also significantly more energy-efficient thanks to improvements in the effective power supply.
