Lithium-ion is the most popular Hangcha battery and for very good reasons. Click on the following sections to learn more about this great technologically advanced battery and how it can help your bottom line.
If you are looking for a local Hangcha dealer that can get you a lithium-ion-powered electric forklift, contact us.
Hangcha Battery: Lithium-Ion
1. What is a Lithium-Ion Battery?
Lithium-ion batteries can be used to power electric forklifts.
A Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery is a type of rechargeable battery that uses lithium ions as the main component of its electrochemical reaction. These batteries are widely used in many applications including:
Portable electronic devices
Electric vehicles (including electric forklifts)
Renewable energy storage systems
Lithium-Ion batteries are a great choice for the above applications because of their high energy density, lightweight design, and relatively low self-discharge rates.
Watch the following video to learn more about how a lithium-ion battery works or read on to learn about the various components of a lithium-ion battery along with a simplified explanation of how it works.
The electrolyte in a lithium battery is composed of lithium salt dissolved in a solvent.
The basic principle of a Li-Ion battery involves the movement of lithium ions between the positive and negative electrodes during charging and discharging cycles.
Anode (Negative Electrode):
The anode is the negative side of the battery. It is typically made of graphite, and it is where lithium ions are stored during charging. When the battery is charged, lithium ions move from the cathode to the anode.
Cathode (Positive Electrode):
The cathode is the positive side of the battery. It is usually made of a lithium metal oxide compound, such as lithium cobalt oxide, lithium iron phosphate, or lithium manganese oxide. During discharge, lithium ions move from the anode to the cathode, creating an electric current that can power devices.
Electrolyte:
The electrolyte is a lithium salt dissolved in a solvent, which separates the anode and cathode while allowing the movement of lithium ions between them. It's crucial for the proper functioning of the battery and ion movement.
Separator:
A porous membrane placed between the anode and cathode prevents direct contact between them while allowing the movement of lithium ions. This separator ensures that the battery operates safely and prevents short circuits.
How the Lithium-ion battery works:
During charging, lithium ions move from the cathode to the anode through the electrolyte and separator, storing energy. During discharge, the ions move back to the cathode, releasing energy that can be used to power devices.
2. Benefits of the Hangcha Battery: Lithium-ion
Lithium-ion Hangcha Battery: This type of battery can be used in cold temperatures.
Here are some of the great advantages of choosing a lithium-ion battery to power your forklift:
Battery Technology:
Hangcha uses square lithium iron phosphate batteries; the same type of batteries used in new electric vehicles.
Design:
The module has a sturdy and lightweight aluminum alloy frame that is designed to provide excellent heat dissipation.
Safe and Effective:
Its charging efficiency is as high as 98% and the thermal runaway temperature is at 600℃ and above.
Adapts to Low Temperatures:
It comes standard with an electrical heating feature, ensuring normal operation in low temperatures.
Quick Charging:
This type of Hangcha battery fully charges in as little as 2 hours.
Efficient:
It can also use opportunity charging for continuous use in multi-shift operations.
Long-Lasting:
It will give you 4,000 charging cycles with capacity retention greater than 80%.
Maintenance-Free:
Lithium-ion batteries do not require manual maintenance such as watering.
Green and Clean:
This type of Hangcha battery is pollution-free, releases zero emissions, and is recyclable.
3. How the Hangcha Battery Is Made
The Lithium-ion Hangcha battery is carefully made with automated processes to ensure high quality.
Hangcha's technically advanced lithium-ion batteries go through a rigorous manufacturing and testing process to ensure the highest quality possible.
This Hangcha battery was designed in conjunction with Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (CATL). CATL is a battery manufacturer that specializes in the making lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems.
Hangcha uses an automated and highly intelligent battery module assembly line to construct its state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries. The entire process involves many steps including the following:
Insulation test
Automated image processing prior to welding
Automated welding of the busbar connection plates
End-of-the-line (EOL) test
Take a look at the following video to see each of the above steps in action.
The lithium-ion Hangcha battery goes through two testing phases.
Each Hangcha battery must pass each test to ensure its high quality before it is installed into one of the wide ranges of lithium-ion forklifts manufactured by Hangcha.
4. Hangcha Battery Differences: Lithium-Ion vs Lead Acid
Before Lithium-ion battery technology, electric forklifts were powered by lead acid batteries.
A lead-acid battery is a type of rechargeable battery that uses lead dioxide as the positive electrode (cathode), metallic lead as the negative electrode (anode), and a diluted sulfuric acid solution as the electrolyte. These batteries have been used for over a century.
Lead acid batteries are commonly used in various applications including:
Automotive starting
Backup power systems
Industrial equipment (including forklifts)
Lead-acid batteries have several advantages, including their affordability, availability, and ability to deliver high currents, making them suitable for applications requiring a burst of power, such as starting internal combustion engines. However, they also have limitations, which will be explained below.
The following video will give you a simple explanation of how a lead acid battery works.
Lead acid batteries have powered forklifts for many years.
Here is a breakdown of the differences between lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries used to power electric forklifts:
Battery Watering:
You should have enough fluid to cover the plastic battery element. If your fluid is low it will need to be topped up, but only after it has been fully charged to prevent overfilling. This is called battery watering.
You need to keep the right amount of water in your lead-acid battery in order for it to work at its full capacity. You should check your battery fluid levels after every 5 charging cycles or so.
Lithium batteries, on the other hand, never need watering.
Battery Cleaning:
To help avoid build-up on your lead-acid battery that can cause corrosion, you should clean it monthly with battery cleaner or warm water. Lithium batteries, on the other hand, never need cleaning.
Equalization Charging:
Most lead-acid battery manufacturers recommend that you do an equalization charge each week. During equalization, your battery gets overcharged in order to correct some of the cells which may only be holding a half-charge.
Equalization requires you to charge your battery longer than the usual 8 hours. You will usually have to charge it for an additional 3 or more hours at a low stream of power. This also means that your battery will need additional cooling time after the equalization charging.
This adds to the total charging time and the total time that you are not able to use your battery. Lithium batteries, however, never need equalization charging.
Energy Savings:
Lithium-ion batteries are designed to keep a constant voltage level during their entire discharge cycle. This will enable you to save as much as 50% in energy costs compared to using a lead-acid battery.
Looking for the Best Selection of Lithium-ion, Hangcha Battery Forklifts?
If you are in the market for a Lithium-ion forklift, contact Wayco. We have:
The best-priced forklifts in the industry
Forklifts with the best warranty in the business
The widest range of brands in the market
Wayco is a full-service forklift dealer which means we can provide you with everything you need forklift related, including:
Contact us today to book an appointment.
What Our Customers Are Saying…
“I have used Wayco twice, and both times I experienced excellent customer service . They had the right forklift for my needs at a reasonable price. I will be using their services in the future and recommend you do as well.”
- Gabe Gartner
