Once you've done a site assessment, it all starts with the battery. There are a variety of factors to consider when choosing the right one. Some of those factors are obvious, while some aren't. It's also important to keep in mind that size relates to the actual physical size, as well as the amount of power your battery needs to operate your forklift effectively. Here's a quick list of what should be considered:
Is your operation able to handle the maintenance of a battery fleet, are you willing to pay for that maintenance, or would your operation be better suited to a lower maintenance battery?
Charger size can be tied to the type of battery you're using, but there are other operation-specific determinants as well. Here are just a handful to consider:
Are you running one shift, or multiple shifts? The answer to this question often dictates the correct charger size, and what battery-charger combo will be most effective.
This is also tied to how many shifts you have. For example, are you hoping to continue charging in the conventional 8/8/8 pattern, or does it make more sense to opportunity or fast-charge? This has a direct impact on how many batteries you'll need per truck: for conventional charging you need three batteries per truck, while with more modern methods you can get away with one.
Yes, this matters for the charger, too. Really, it's a domino effect since the ultimate goal is to ensure that the forklift ultimately receives the most efficient charge possible for its application. Matching the right charger with the right battery ensures energy isn't being wasted.
The best way is through a full site assessment. Since batteries and chargers can be measured, a good motive power partner can easily determine your typical and peak usage, find any efficiency gaps, and ultimately make an ideal recommendation. Often, by tailoring equipment and technology to your specific application, we can reduce your overall cost of ownership. Instead of just pricing batteries, we can provide a solution that saves your operation significant amounts of money. We do this through increased run-time, energy savings, fewer battery changes, and reducing equipment. That's why you shouldn’t confuse lowest price with lowest cost of ownership. When you have the right technology across the board, it doesn't just create maximum efficiency. It saves you money, too.