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Forklift batteries

Number of messages: 8

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mark_w
Alaska, United States

I have access to a 48 volt electric forklift for a very good deal, but it doesn't have batteries. I can't justify a new battery purchase as I could get a used propane forklift for that cost. My question is: can I use four deep cycle 4d batteries and have a usable forklift. The 4d batteries don't have an amp hour rating, but say they can run at 25 amps for 250 minutes, so I'm guessing that is something like 100 amp hours. So with four batteries, I get 48 volts, 100 amp hours. If I can get a half hour or hour out of a charge, that would be plenty for the work I'm doing. Would that work? Any thoughts?

Posted 26 Apr 2008 04:44 AM

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proshadetree
Tennessee, United States

If OSHA is involved you must use battery of spec recomended for lift.Lighter battery means lift will not lift at what is stated and shouldnt be used around a workforce.
Now if its your personal lift that only you use do as you wish.Dont use this lift for a production shop around peple without recomended battery

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"Work leads to profit, mere talk leads to poverty"

Posted 26 Apr 2008 09:40 AM

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edward_t
North Carolina, United States

and the part Proshadetree implied but did not spell out for a person not familiar with battery forklifts, the weight of the battery is much of the 'counterweight' so your forklift will tip forward towards the forks if you try and lift very much weight, and are not using the proper battery.

Posted 26 Apr 2008 08:51 PM

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mark_w
Alaska, United States

Yeah, counterweight shouldn't be too much of a problem. This is at home, so no osha and I won't be lifting too much in the heavy department. I'm just wondering if the batteries will over heat or work for a short time. The 4d battery is intended for boats I think and I'm not sure what the deep cycle version is for, but it is much bigger than a car battery -20" long by 5.5" wide by 10" tall. I don't think car batteries will do the job, but no one seems to know about these larger ones.
Thanks,
Mark

Posted 28 Apr 2008 01:41 AM

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proshadetree
Tennessee, United States

I have a customer running 1 lift on 4 12 car batterys with junk in the compartment.Has batterys hooked to charge with a 24 volt charger.Firts 2 then 2nd 2.We dont work on that one so I dont know anything about it as far as paper work is involved.The Junk is for extra ballest by the way.Been running 2 or 3 years that way.

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"Work leads to profit, mere talk leads to poverty"

Modified 28 Apr 2008 07:11 AM
by poster.

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edward_t
North Carolina, United States

often, to move a forklift around the shop or test motors, pumps or controllers, it is fine to use multi 12 v auto batteries in series to provide the correct voltage, and yes, they only last a short time compared to an industrial motive battery.

Posted 28 Apr 2008 06:08 AM

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proshadetree
Tennessee, United States

The lift I was refering to is only used 3 to 4 times a week to unload a truck.I have a clark standup and normaly only run it 15 to 20 min when I use it,pull a engine lift car to check brakes,rotate tires ect.So I did asume if it was at your home you wont use it much.I do have correct battery in mine and dont know the range of the one I was telling about.It will at least last long enough to unload a truck.

-------------------------
"Work leads to profit, mere talk leads to poverty"

Posted 28 Apr 2008 07:15 AM

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philippe_m
JALISCO, Mexico

Hi There
Are you looking for good deal?
If you're used to work with 1 to 500 forklifts....
We can offer to cut down on expenses at least 50% into batteries.
Plz feel free to send email at philippe dot alan at gmail dot com

Posted 14 Dec 2008 04:19 PM

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