From the workhorse forklift to the humble, helpful pallet jack, your material handling equipment fleet enables you to hit revenue goals, power through quarterly quotas, and keep your operation humming. But like any tool or machine, your fleet requires care and attention.
At HAWKER®, we pride ourselves on the integrity and dependability of our motive power solutions and accessories. To keep your industrial trucks going strong, proper battery care is an absolute must. So, how do you care for a Thin Plate Pure Lead battery (TPPL)? Let’s start with the basics.
TPPL stands for Thin Plate Pure Lead. Like a traditional battery, TPPL batteries are lead-acid based, but the advantages they offer go far beyond standard. TPPL batteries provide a higher charge acceptance than other types of lead acid batteries, translating to reliability and dependability in a stop-and-go environment. Additionally, TPPL batteries are designed to accept and maintain a charge across multiple days of use, contributing to a longer lifespan and optimal performance.
If you currently use, or are considering using, TPPL batteries in your operation, make sure to care for them properly by following these recommended care instructions.
Tip 1: DO NOT Add Water
Unlike flooded lead-acid batteries, TPPL batteries are sealed and do not require watering—ever.
Tip 2: Keep it Clean & Dry
A dirty or wet battery is at increased risk of corrosion. Where there’s corrosion, there’s the possibility of a diminished charge being delivered. So for the lifespan of your battery, keep your batteries corrosion free to enhance your battery’s performance.
Tip 3: Ensure it’s Being Used in the Proper Application
Just because a battery fits, doesn’t mean it’s ideal for the application. Batteries and their chargers are engineered for a specific range of uses and aren’t necessarily one size fits all. For safety, operational continuity, and to properly size your fleet with the correct size battery, contact HAWKER® for an on-site power study and custom motive power solution system.
Tip 4: Watch out for Flames & Metal
TPPL batteries rely on electrolyte solutions to generate and store high amounts of energy. As such, flames and batteries simply don’t mix. Never bring a battery near an open flame (or vice versa).
Tip 5: Adjust Truck Lift Interrupts
“Lift” is the name of the game for industrial forklifts and similar machinery. But naturally, at a certain height, the power required to go higher may endanger the battery, the machine, and its operator. For maximum safety and return on investment, you should set truck lift interrupts to discharge to a maximum of 80% or 1.92 volts per cell under load.
Tip 6: Ambient Temperature
Like the machines they power, TPPL batteries are susceptible to temperature extremes. The optimal ambient temperature for TPPL batteries are 32°F-104°F for a 2-Volt battery and 41°F and 113°F for Bloc batteries. Any use outside these ranges needs to be cleared with the manufacturer.
Tip 7: Use a Compatible HAWKER® Charger
Like other chargeable electronic devices, TPPL batteries need the correct charger to function safely and optimally. Chargers work in concert with batteries to supply the power they need in the most effective and efficient way. At HAWKER®, our TPPL FLEX ® batteries should only be paired with an approved HAWKER® charger.
Tip 8: Safe Charging
In addition to using the right charger, there’s a right way to safely and quickly charge your TPPL batteries. To keep temperatures within acceptable ranges, keep the truck compartment and battery cover open during charging. You might even consider using a fan to keep the battery cool when charging it in extremely hot environments.
Tip 9: Charge it Frequently
TPPL batteries love being put through the paces, but at certain levels in their depth of discharge (DoD), batteries may strain themselves to provide the necessary power, shortening their life cycles and utility. To combat this, charge your TPPL batteries as often as possible to keep the discharge light and increase lifespan. Maximum DoD for TPPL batteries is 60%.
Tip 10: Ask for Help
The internal workings of TPPL batteries aren’t second nature to the average battery technician, and that’s okay. When you’re unsure of how to use, clean, maintain, or charge your TPPL batteries, just ask the pros! Your local HAWKER® representative can assist with any questions you may have. Contact you HAWKER® representative directly by dialing 1-877-7HAWKER or find them online here.
At HAWKER®, we stand by our motive power solutions and the people who use them. We’re always happy to help you find the right battery, charger, application, data management device, or troubleshooting solution whenever you need it. If you have any questions about your HAWKER® batteries, contact us today.
At HAWKER ®, delivering industry-leading power solutions is our forte. We go beyond manufacturing TPPL batteries and smart chargers to deliver bottom-line-altering solutions for the world’s most important industries. Discover how one of our TPPL batteries can put you ahead of your competition. For everything else, up to and including proper battery maintenance tips, drop us a line or find a HAWKER® representative near you.
