New & Reconditioned Forklift Battery Options

* The pricing above is a package price and it includes delivery, installation ( provided that our installer has the use of a secondary forklift while on-site to assist with the installation ) and old battery disposal. All taxes are extra. Although we are able to deliver and install throughout Canada, the pricing above assumes that delivery and installation would take place in the Greater Vancouver, BC, Canada area ( ie Lower Mainland ).

The Most Popular Forklift Battery Sizes

Forklift Battery Selection Chart downloadable (1) page PDF

We Supply The Following Industrial Quality Lead Acid & Lithium Forklift Batteries & Electric Pallet Jack Batteries

• 3 Wheel Counterbalance Sit-Down Electric Forklift Batteries
• 3 Wheel Counterbalance Stand-Up Electric Forklift Batteries
• 4 Wheel Counterbalance Sit-Down Electric Forklift Batteries
• Reach Truck Batteries
• Reach Forklift Batteries
• Narrow Aisle Forklift Batteries
• Order Picker Batteries
• Turret Truck Batteries
• Walk Behind Electric Pallet Jack Batteries
• Ride-On Electric Pallet Jack Batteries
• Tow Tractor Batteries
• Baggage Tractor Batteries
• Tugger Batteries

Why Purchase New Or Reconditioned Forklift & Electric Pallet Jack Batteries From Fleetman Consulting Inc.?

Fleetman Consulting Inc. is the most technically experienced forklift battery & forklift charger dealer in BC.

Prior to proposing a solution, our people have the experience and they take the time to ask all the right questions while conducting a proper analysis of your work environment, your existing forklift and their related forklift batteries and forklift battery chargers.

We also visit you at your place of business ( free of charge ) if your company is located within the lower mainland of Vancouver, BC because we believe an on-site inspection of your equipment and face-to-face discussions will result in a better long-term solution.

When you deal with Fleetman, you can be rest assured that we will take the time to propose and explain your options. Our goal is to always make sure we supply quality, yet affordable new and / or reconditioned electric forklift and electric pallet jack batteries from the world’s top selling brands and to get you back up and running as quickly as possible at the lowest total cost, with the least amount of inconvenience. The products we sell are chosen to provide our clients with the most value for their application, all backed by industry leading warranty programs and local technical support.

Recognized as the leading source across Canada for both new and reconditioned forklift batteries and electric pallet jack batteries, Fleetman Consulting Inc. has learned over the years how to make the whole process easy, from start to finish.

Fleetman specializes in supplying replacement forklift and electric pallet jack batteries in a way that is designed with minimum downtime in mind. We are a full service supplier of forklift batteries, electric pallet jack batteries and related chargers, meaning we deliver quickly, we install the replacement battery at your place of business and we dispose of the old battery all within approximately 1 hour from the time of our arrival.

The Top 10 Issues To Consider When Choosing A New Or Reconditioned Forklift Battery Or Electric Pallet Jack Battery

1. The weight of the battery is considered part of the counterweight of the forklift. If you choose a battery that is too small, it may not meet the minimum battery weight required to maintain the lift truck’s capacity rating.
2. Forklift batteries tend to lose their ability to deliver power over time due to age, poor maintenance, abuse and so on. It is highly recommended that you buy the largest battery possible when the forklift is new to maximize the battery’s utility over time.
3. Make sure you choose the right forklift battery to match up with how the battery will be expected to deliver power between periods of recharging. In multi-shift applications, for example, where there sometimes isn’t enough time to properly charge the battery over the course of a day, it may be that a fast charge battery and charging system is the best solution if a business is to keep up with production without damaging the battery. A thorough on-site study, conducted by a qualified forklift battery professional, is the only way to determine which solution will provide optimum results.
4. Make sure the size of the battery is large enough to fill the battery compartment in the forklift, otherwise you will need to shim or block the battery properly so that it doesn’t slide around during normal operation. Batteries are very heavy and will easily slide which will cause damage to the battery over time. Take the time to confirm the battery compartment dimensions with the lift truck supplier and make sure that the actual battery size is as close as possible to these dimensions.
5. Make sure that the battery is properly matched to the charger to avoid damaging the battery by either undercharging or overcharging. Whatever the ampere hour capacity of the battery is, the charger ampere hour capacity should be within 10 percent of this number.
6. The voltage of the battery needs to be correctly matched to the forklift electrical system and the output of the charger. You can’t install a 48 volt battery in a 36 volt forklift, for example.
7. It is important to have a proper forklift battery charging, watering and cleaning program in place before you install a new battery to protect your investment. Forklift batteries are expensive to replace. Without a proper charging, watering and cleaning program, these batteries may last less than a year instead of 5 to 10 years. An automatic watering system is highly recommended for all forklift batteries, particularly in stand up models, due to the difficultly involved in accessing the tops of these batteries during the filling process. A “blinking” light system, mounted on the battery is also a very important accessory to add so that you know when the battery needs water without having to actually check the battery water levels physically.
8. Source a reputable, local battery reseller that offers local service and warranty support in the event the battery is found to be defective somewhere down the road.
9. When the forklift is new, make sure you source the battery and charger from the same company so that if you are having a problem with the battery, the battery company can’t easily point fingers at the charger company as the source of the problem.
10. One of the most overlooked items is the battery connector. Make sure the battery connector matches the battery connector on the forklift and the battery connector on the charger.

How To Evaluate Used & Reconditioned Forklift Batteries

A reconditioned forklift battery generally means that each cell inside the battery has been load tested, acid balanced, watered and cleaned and it likely comes with output cables and a connector that are in good condition. Just like buying a used car, everyone’s definition of "reconditioned" has a lot of room for interpretation and so it is important to ask prior to purchase. Generally, the prices of reconditioned forklift batteries are about half when compared to new, give or take. Our reconditioned forklift batteries come with a 1 year warranty. The good thing about reconditioned forklift batteries is that you have a lower cost option when it comes to finding a working battery for a used forklift. Make sure the battery meets the minimum battery weight requirements, fills the battery compartment as much as possible and matches the input voltage of the forklift and output voltage of the charger. The battery ampere hour size must also be within 10% of the charger’s ampere hour charging capacity.

Used forklift batteries, in comparison, have likely only been cleaned, watered and charged with little regard to evaluating their ability to deliver energy under load. You can only determine the health of a forklift battery by conducting a battery load test, similar to a stress test for your heart.

How To Locate Forklift Battery Or Electric Pallet Jack Battery Make, Model & Serial Number Information

Not everyone is aware that the forklift battery data plate information is usually stamped on the lead post connector that joins two battery cells together on the top of the battery. Sometimes the data location is marked on the plastic cap that covers the lead connector but too often it isn’t easy to find. Most of us in the forklift business have had many experiences lifting almost all the plastic caps before finally locating the one with all the information. If you decide to touch the top of a forklift battery, make sure you touch it with something that won’t create a spark and please don’t be smoking during the inspection. Forklift and electric pallet jack batteries, during and after charging, can emit hydrogen gas which is highly explosive. Please use gloves to protect your fingers from acid and please use something non-metallic to lift the plastic caps off the lead posts and connectors. If you’re lucky, you’ll find the information you’re looking for on a decal on the side of the battery.

The Most Common Electric Forklift Battery Voltages

The most common electric forklift battery voltages are 24 volt, 36 volt, 48 volt, 72 volt & 80 volt.

There are a few obscure exceptions that have existed in the past but these voltages are the most common ones currently.

The Most Common Electric Pallet Jack Battery Voltages

The most common electric pallet jack battery voltages are 12 volt and 24 volt.

Forklift Battery Ampere Hour ( A.H. ) Capacity

Given the same forklift battery voltage, a forklift battery with a larger ampere hour capacity will deliver a longer run time than a battery with a lesser ampere hour capacity. For example, an 800 A.H. capacity battery will need to be charged sooner than a 1,000 A.H. capacity battery.

Forklift Battery Kilowatt Hour ( K.W.H. ) Capacity

Let's say you have two forklift batteries that have equal ampere hour capacities but different voltages. Is their ability to deliver energy over a given period of time the same? The answer is, no. Converting ampere hour capacity to kilowatt hour capacity allows you to compare batteries of different voltages to see which one is larger. As an example, a 700 ampere hour capacity battery that is 36 volt has a kilowatt hour capacity of 25.2 ( 700 times 36 divided by 1,000 ). A 600 ampere hour capacity battery that is 48 volt has a kilowatt hour capacity of 28.8. So, you can see that a 48 volt / 600 ampere hour capacity battery is actually larger and able to deliver more power than a 36 volt / 700 ampere hour battery. In a sense, it has a larger “fuel” tank.

Forklift Battery & Forklift Battery Charger Care Instructions

FORKLIFT BATTERY & FORKLIFT BATTERY CARE INSTRUCTIONS downloadable (1) page PDF.

How To Properly Clean A Forklift Battery Or Electric Pallet Jack Battery

Use a solution of baking soda and water ( percentage mixture to be supplied by the battery manufacturer ) and begin to clean the top of the battery being very careful not to allow any of the baking soda and water mixture to touch the fill caps or go inside of the fill caps as this will likely damage the battery by neutralizing the acid inside the cell. Battery cleaning is important to reduce the gradual discharge of the battery between cells. This discharge process is possible because the acid that is laying on the surface of the cells from overwatering or natural cell “gasing” conducts electricity from one cell post to another and also to the steel tray that contains all the cells, even when the forklift is not in use. Think of it as a leak in your electrical system. The by - product of this leak is a white, corrosive mushroom looking material that usually forms near the steel tray around the perimeter of the battery. Properly watering the battery ( never before you charge, only after ) and regular cleaning of the top surface of the battery will help to keep the battery in good health and it will help lengthen the life of the battery as well.

How To Properly Charge A Forklift Battery Or Electric Pallet Jack Battery

It is very important that your forklift battery charger is properly adjusted to match the battery that is being charged. Most forklift battery chargers come pre-set from the factory but they are tunable for a wide range of different battery types, sizes and situations. Only a forklift battery and charger specialist should be involved in making these adjustments as they are critical to the performance of any forklift battery and they are also critical when it comes to maximizing the life of the battery. A common rule of thumb in battery charging is to charge the battery as little as possible, meaning you should discharge the battery down to a 20% state of charge before charging the battery back to full capacity ( fast charge systems are an exception ). You should also make sure the battery is placed on an equalize charge at least once a week ( depending on how the battery is used ) to keep the battery healthy. There will be times when you don’t have this luxury because, for example, you might have a busy day the next day, but there is only a 50% state of charge remaining in the battery and it is the only forklift you have to unload trucks. Even though this scenario might happen every once in a while, try to make it the exception rather that the rule. If you do that, it will lengthen the life of your battery significantly. Also, make sure you charge the battery before filling the battery with clean, soft ( low mineral content ) tap water or distilled water, otherwise the battery will overflow during the charging process covering the top of the battery with corrosive acid. Never fill your forklift or electric pallet jack battery with hard water as it will kill the battery quickly.

How A Forklift’s Electrical System Can Be Negatively Affected By An Overly Discharged Battery

When a forklift battery has been allowed to discharge past roughly 20% of its’ original fully charged state, the voltage of each battery cell drops. When this happens, the battery attempts to deliver higher amperage to compensate. When it does that, the lift truck’s electrical components begin to heat up beyond their normal operating temperate, putting unnecessary strain on these components which, over time, will cause them to fail prematurely. Making sure that your lift truck is properly equipped with a lift interrupt device that is accurately adjusted ( many aren’t ) will ensure that the electrical components in the lift truck are protected from higher current levels usually caused by an overly discharged battery. Most electric forklifts today have a lift interrupt, however it may be worth checking to make sure it has been set correctly. A lift interrupt feature will lock out the lifting function of the forklift when the battery charge level falls below a set state of charge forcing the operator to drive the lift truck back to the charging station as a means of protecting the lift truck’s electrical system.

A Forklift Battery Watering System & Electric Pallet Jack Battery Watering System Option

If you have ever watered a forklift battery or electric pallet jack battery by hand, one cell at a time, you know how unpleasant, time consuming and difficult this can be, especially if you have a reach truck or a stand-up counterbalanced forklift where the top of the battery isn’t easily accessible. It can also ruin your clothes and dirty your hands with acid if you aren’t careful.

An 80 volt forklift battery has 40 cell caps, a 48 volt forklift battery has 24, a 36 volt battery has 18 and so on. Imagine having to open each battery cell cap, assess the acid level by peaking inside the cap, adding water bit by bit until you get it to be at just the right level ( not easy to do ) then closing the cap and moving onto the next cell. For most of us, it can take up to an hour or more to do this properly.

A battery watering system is an aftermarket accessory that can be installed onto any forklift battery or electric pallet jack battery and it makes filling any lead acid battery a breeze ….. taking just a couple of minutes to fill the whole battery to the perfect level, every time without the need to judge the water level every second.

It comes with a water level sensor and a blinky light that from 10 feet away from the battery will tell you whether the battery needs water or not ……. a blinking green light means it doesn’t need water …… a blinking red light means it needs water. 

You simply hook this system up to a garden hose ( provided your water source is clean and has a low mineral content, ie soft water ), turn on the water and an indicator on the fill adapter will tell you when the battery is full.

If you operate your business in a hard water / high mineral content area, we have a wall mount or cart reservoir tank that can hold distilled water and it is compatible with the forklift battery watering systems we sell.

95 percent of all new forklift batteries or reconditioned forklift batteries are sold with this optional accessory installed …… because it just makes sense.

Forklift battery failure is often because the battery wasn’t watered properly. If you make it easy to fill the battery, it will more likely get done.

With the high cost of replacing forklift batteries, anything you can do to increase the chances that the battery will be properly watered will provide you with a return on your investment.

The cost of these systems typically range between $500 and $1,000 including installation. They can be installed on new, reconditioned or existing forklift or electric pallet jack batteries.

The 11 Most Common Mistakes Make By Users Of Forklift Batteries & Electric Pallet Jack Batteries

1. Overfilling The Battery
2. Underfilling The Battery
3. Using Poor Quality / High Mineral Content Water To Fill The Battery
4. Neglecting The Battery By Seldom Watering The Battery
5. Unnecessarily Charging The Battery Too Frequently
6. Not Charging The Battery At Least Once Per Week
7. Mismatching The Charger To The Battery ( The Charger Is Too Big Or Too Small Compared To The Battery Size )
8. Ignoring The Cleaning Needs Of The Battery
9. Lifting The Battery Without Using a Proper Spreader Bar
10. Minimizing The Environmental & Safety Hazards Associated With Using Lead Acid Batteries
11. Installing A Battery Into A Forklift That Doesn’t Meet The Minimum Battery Weight Required By The Forklift Manufacturer

Explosion Proof Rated Electric Forklift Batteries & Electric Pallet Jack Batteries

Explosion proof rated electric forklifts and electric pallet jacks are manufactured in such a manner that they will not produce a spark during normal operation. Forklifts and electric pallet jacks manufactured to this standard are very expensive and are usually used in facilities where creating a spark could cause an explosion such as an oil refinery, chemical plant, fireworks or ammunition manufacturing facility and so on. It is very important to install an explosion proof rated battery into an explosion proof rated electric forklift or electric pallet jack, otherwise the explosion proof rating of the unit will no longer be valid. The same applies to the forklift battery charger or electric pallet jack battery charger.

EE Rated Electric Forklift Batteries & Electric Pallet Jack Batteries

EE rated electric forklifts and electric pallet jacks are manufactured to a standard which will reduce the likelihood that the forklift or electric pallet jack will produce a spark during normal operation but it won't totally eliminate it. As with explosion proof rated electric forklifts and electric pallet jacks, it is also very important to install a "EE" rated battery into a "EE" rated unit otherwise the "EE" rating will no longer be valid.

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For more information on how to choose the right battery for your lift truck or if you are looking for a price quote on a new or reconditioned forklift battery, please contact Scott McLeod, President of Fleetman Consulting Inc. by calling (604)614-3530.