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Battery talk (A place to discuss any and all battery technologies where the discussion may not fit into other topic areas) => Lead Acid (Sealed and flooded) => Topic started by: qrper on February 19, 2020, 04:25:32 PM

Title: Anyone using forklift lead acid batteries
Post by: qrper on February 19, 2020, 04:25:32 PM
I'm kicking around the idea of tinkering with some forklift batteries. I have a local company that i'm going to see about purchasing some cells. The biggest challenge I see is I need a forklift to move a forklift battery.

Does anyone have some stories they'd like share?

Mike
Title: Re: Anyone using forklift lead acid batteries
Post by: ClassicCrazy on February 19, 2020, 09:03:09 PM
I have friends who have a forklift battery type - East Penn Deka that comes in steel case.
There are two types - one has all the cells preinstalled with the buss bars leaded in .
The other type that my friends have - the cells have a screw stud on top . So that way you can put a strap on and move each cell separately and then put it back together again . That way you don't need a forklift to move it !
They have had good results using theirs over the years .
Their battery was new and not used .

Larry
Title: Re: Anyone using forklift lead acid batteries
Post by: bee88man on February 20, 2020, 11:04:18 AM
I bought used/reconditioned and weighs better than 2000 pounds at 805 A/hrs.
I have daylight basement with 9x7 overhead garage door and a pallet jack to move and position.
Overhead steel beam was used as rigging point to unload off pickup truck delivery.
This all worked well and battery remains on reinforced pallet parked along partition opposite DC battery breaker and charge controllers and iverter/chargers. This keeps any battery cables very short while providing off gasing separattion by partition separation from electrical gear on opposite side.
Title: Re: Anyone using forklift lead acid batteries
Post by: Vic on February 20, 2020, 05:01:55 PM
Hi Mike,

Some thoughts on Forklift batteries,  compared to FLAs,   they generally:

Come in a metal "Tray",   where cells contact each other,  or with the tray.  They must be kept in the tray when in use  --  the individual cells (Jars)  have flexible walls,   and if removed from the tray,  electrolyte levels need to be checked/topped up on any neighbor cells soon after removal,  etc.

Use relatively high SG electrolyte (1.285-ish,  or so).  This usually means relative high charge voltages.  And exhibit somewhat higher self-discharge rates.

Have a fairly small Electrolyte Reserve (space for electrolyte above the plates).   This can mean more electrolyte spatter,   and probably more acid vapor.

Need checking of electrolyte level more frequently,   and use somewhat more water.

Have relatively thick plates,   allowing high charge/discharge rates.   The standard listed Capacity is often at the 8-hour rate (sometimes 6 hr.),   but one vendor  (Giant,  IIRC),   that lists an 20 Hr rate, is said to be  too optimistic,   so may need to oversize the battery to compensate.

For a given Ah Capacity,  have fewer plates,   exhibiting poorer surge current performance (higher voltage drop during surge,  for a given current).

Will accept deeper discharges (down to a max of 20% SOC)  but would need to be completely recharged from these low SOC levels in a day or less (IMO).

They are heavy,   and need handling equipment.   HUP Solar One allows individual cells to be removed,   moved  and re-installed in their tray,  because each cell is bolted to a busbar rail, verses cast busbars for most other Lift batteries.

EDIT:  OOooooppppppsss forgot to mention,  that  Lift batteries are usually tall,   and this can create greater electrolyte Stratification.   This can mean that these batteries can need more frequent EQing (depending on how they are cycled,   Absorb voltage,   etc)<.

They are a bit of a different animal than customary FLAs,    and when used in off-grid systems,  may really want more Solar/Genset power than traditional deep-cycle FLAs.

All just my opinions.   I am NO battery expert !     73,   GL  Vic
Title: Re: Anyone using forklift lead acid batteries
Post by: qrper on February 22, 2020, 03:49:54 PM
Hi, Vic

Lead-acid batteries and I are old friends. However that being said, I've been looking for something to keep me off the streets at night.

I have a lead on a 24 V 250 amp/hr fork lift battery at $1800. This is for a reconditioned one.

What I can't see to get my mind wrapped around is the fact that I can get four-6 volt golf cart batteries for a lot less money and end up with damn near the same capacity.

I know the forklift battery is built a lot bigger, stronger, and beefier than the golf cart batteries, but is it worth the difference in price?

mike, wb8vge
Title: Re: Anyone using forklift lead acid batteries
Post by: ClassicCrazy on February 22, 2020, 09:07:21 PM
Quote from: qrper on February 22, 2020, 03:49:54 PM
Hi, Vic

Lead-acid batteries and I are old friends. However that being said, I've been looking for something to keep me off the streets at night.

I have a lead on a 24 V 250 amp/hr fork lift battery at $1800. This is for a reconditioned one.

What I can't see to get my mind wrapped around is the fact that I can get four-6 volt golf cart batteries for a lot less money and end up with damn near the same capacity.

I know the forklift battery is built a lot bigger, stronger, and beefier than the golf cart batteries, but is it worth the difference in price?

mike, wb8vge
The fork lift batteries I have seen are not in the same league as golf cart batteries - they are a lot bigger.
I wouldn't buy a reconditioned lead acid battery for that price.  How would you know how old the cells are ?
Did you see the recent post on lithium batteries posted on the forums here ? Something to maybe consider.
http://midniteftp.com/forum/index.php?topic=4821.0

Larry
Title: Re: Anyone using forklift lead acid batteries
Post by: qrper on February 23, 2020, 11:28:34 AM
Quote from: ClassicCrazy on February 22, 2020, 09:07:21 PM
Quote from: qrper on February 22, 2020, 03:49:54 PM
Hi, Vic

Lead-acid batteries and I are old friends. However that being said, I've been looking for something to keep me off the streets at night.

I have a lead on a 24 V 250 amp/hr fork lift battery at $1800. This is for a reconditioned one.

What I can't see to get my mind wrapped around is the fact that I can get four-6 volt golf cart batteries for a lot less money and end up with damn near the same capacity.

I know the forklift battery is built a lot bigger, stronger, and beefier than the golf cart batteries, but is it worth the difference in price?

mike, wb8vge
The fork lift batteries I have seen are not in the same league as golf cart batteries - they are a lot bigger.
I wouldn't buy a reconditioned lead acid battery for that price.  How would you know how old the cells are ?
Did you see the recent post on lithium batteries posted on the forums here ? Something to maybe consider.
http://midniteftp.com/forum/index.php?topic=4821.0

Larry

That's what I was thinking. I know they're not quite apples to apples, being twice the size and four times the weight. But still?? $That much money for the same capacity as four golf cart batteries? When I was a Trojan battery dealer, I always told my customers, "Only the rich can afford cheap batteries."
And here I am years, later, looking at cheap batteries.
I tossed the lithium battery bank around before I settled with the old favorites, the L16 from US Battery. While I know the chemistry is far superior, more power per pound, the initial price was simply outside my budget. As it turned out the lead acid set me back about $5k. So they weren't cheap either. The lithium was nearly $15K for a battery bank a bit smaller in capacity than the lead acid.

Like I said, this is more an experiment and something to waste my time with. The final idea is to run a 1000ish sine wave inverter to operate some of the radios in the hams shack.

I'm mike
Title: Re: Anyone using forklift lead acid batteries
Post by: ClassicCrazy on February 23, 2020, 04:55:03 PM
Not following you on why you would want to run your radio's off of an inverter instead of direct from DC ?
I have a Samlex 24 to 12 DC converter - much better than the noise you get from an inverter. At least my Outback inverter has been making a lot of noise. I put a bunch of ferrite on the battery cables . Maybe something else wrong with the inverter internal - bad capacitor? I just bought a small inverter to tide me over so I can take the Outback apart one of these days . I have not gotten around to trying the new inverter - a Victron sinewave - to see if it makes as much or any noise on the radios.

Larry
Title: Re: Anyone using forklift lead acid batteries
Post by: qrper on February 24, 2020, 12:08:59 PM
Quote from: ClassicCrazy on February 23, 2020, 04:55:03 PM
Not following you on why you would want to run your radio's off of an inverter instead of direct from DC ?
I have a Samlex 24 to 12 DC converter - much better than the noise you get from an inverter. At least my Outback inverter has been making a lot of noise. I put a bunch of ferrite on the battery cables . Maybe something else wrong with the inverter internal - bad capacitor? I just bought a small inverter to tide me over so I can take the Outback apart one of these days . I have not gotten around to trying the new inverter - a Victron sinewave - to see if it makes as much or any noise on the radios.

Larry

Oh, that's simple. Some of the ham radios I use cough and gag with anything less than 13.8 V. My Argonaut 5 will shut the rec audio down with the input voltage is still 12.5 V. Plenty of grunt left in a 12 V battery, but the radio doesn't like it.

Yeah, I know it makes no sense at all the invert 12 V to 110 ac only to reconvert it back to 13.8 V dc. Lots of inefficiency and I'm aware of it.

Mike
Title: Re: Anyone using forklift lead acid batteries
Post by: ClassicCrazy on February 24, 2020, 05:27:53 PM
Quote from: qrper on February 24, 2020, 12:08:59 PM
Quote from: ClassicCrazy on February 23, 2020, 04:55:03 PM
Not following you on why you would want to run your radio's off of an inverter instead of direct from DC ?
I have a Samlex 24 to 12 DC converter - much better than the noise you get from an inverter. At least my Outback inverter has been making a lot of noise. I put a bunch of ferrite on the battery cables . Maybe something else wrong with the inverter internal - bad capacitor? I just bought a small inverter to tide me over so I can take the Outback apart one of these days . I have not gotten around to trying the new inverter - a Victron sinewave - to see if it makes as much or any noise on the radios.

Larry

Oh, that's simple. Some of the ham radios I use cough and gag with anything less than 13.8 V. My Argonaut 5 will shut the rec audio down with the input voltage is still 12.5 V. Plenty of grunt left in a 12 V battery, but the radio doesn't like it.

Yeah, I know it makes no sense at all the invert 12 V to 110 ac only to reconvert it back to 13.8 V dc. Lots of inefficiency and I'm aware of it.

Mike

This Samlex has been doing the job for me and has 13.8v output . They also have higher amp output models.
https://www.samlexamerica.com/products/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=59
I wasn't thinking of the inefficiency so much as the more load on the inverters the more noise they might make.
Larry
Title: Re: Anyone using forklift lead acid batteries
Post by: qrper on February 27, 2020, 04:35:15 PM
I have a 600 W 12 V dc sine wave inverter that seems to work okay without producing RFI.

With this inverter hooked to a 32 amp/hr battery I use it in the field to solder coax connectors. Yeah, I know I could use a propane powered soldering iron, but this works fine in a pinch.

As soon as the weather breaks a bit, I'm going to do a road trip to a local battery shop and see about some cells from a fork lift battery.

mike
Title: Re: Anyone using forklift lead acid batteries
Post by: ClassicCrazy on February 27, 2020, 05:16:44 PM
Mike ,
The battery shop I was at reconditioned forklift battery packs. They would load test each cell and then take out the bad ones and put in cells from other packs that had the same load test results to try and match them.
They said that the cells in the middle of the packs were the ones that usually failed because those were the ones that got hottest.
So maybe if you went to a place like I did where they took the time to do all that load testing but if you were at a place that just does a voltage test and takes out failed cells - I wouldn't want a used battery. The other thing to consider is not only that they still have the capacity to deliver a load , but older lead acid batteries get a higher self discharge as they age. So probably not a big deal if you were using for a forklift and charging every night  . But for solar - it would be like having a bucket with holes in it and the charge is going to leak out - depends on how fast but that would take some other kind of testing that no one is going to do. So you could I guess look at an old battery as something like a capacitor - lots of available power but won't hold it for a long time .

Larry
Title: Re: Anyone using forklift lead acid batteries
Post by: qrper on February 29, 2020, 12:29:05 PM
Yup,
there sure are issues to be overcome. I at present, don't have the $$$$ to buy a new forklift battery.

There is a guy one mile up the road from me that sells solar panels and inverters and such.

He's got coming in large lead acid wet cells, 4 V each, at 500 pounds each, with racks, that he'll have for sale. I don't know the price yet, but most likely well beyond my budget. I'll post some photos if I can

mike
Title: Re: Anyone using forklift lead acid batteries
Post by: Resthome on March 01, 2020, 12:11:48 AM
I have the 12volt HUP solar 845AH set.  You can lift each cell separately out of the case. They are 8 years old now and preforming fine. You just have to make sure you have enough solar to equalize them. Since they are tall you need to be able to charge them with enough amps to strip up the acid. Expect to get at least another 8 years out of them.   
Title: Re: Anyone using forklift lead acid batteries
Post by: daklein on March 01, 2020, 12:34:42 AM
I brought home two recently.  Haven't crushed my toes yet.  Unloading video:   https://photos.app.goo.gl/G9JUjG4SmuEC6yGFA    I moved them by levering with a large steel prybar, and rolling on pipes.   Exide / GNB Tubular LMX model    1900#, 48v, 540Ah each.   I estimate that translates to 1294Ah total at C/20 which is more like how I might use them.

I am setting up the parts from a DC Solar trailer as a battery backup off grid system.  Work in process, need to build a box and venting.  They can _stink_ when charging.  I added midpack fuses yesterday.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/q1euFhioH266nPvW9

They seem to be ok so far.  I don't think I'd want some of the solar trailer batteries, they could have been abused, especially the light tower ones if they're older and have been used like at the racetracks, IMHO.  It's possible to get some idea though.  The SMA inverters have SOC histogram data,  mine said 98 or 99% of time between 90-100 SOC.  Being either lucky or careful in picking which trailer to buy at auction, I think this set were just on the trailer being float charged by the solar for the last two years or so.  There were different model forklift batteries used at different time periods.

I load tested them from 100% down to about 70%, and they seem to have about the right capacity for new.  Electrolyte level was a little low, below the top of the plates.  I added 16 gallons total I think, to the total of 48 cells.  Sounds like a lot, but these are 'low maintenance' with large head space in each cell, maybe not much less than 1/3 gal.   

I probably wouldn't have chosen to buy these, but they came with all the other stuff on the trailer, so I'll use them as long as they work.  Certainly plenty of load capacity, but maybe not so efficient round trip energy wise, especially if staying up in higher SOC range for longer life, just gassing away energy.

Disposing of them someday will be an adventure too.  Maybe I can find someone who can pick them up with a liftgate truck?
Title: Re: Anyone using forklift lead acid batteries
Post by: ClassicCrazy on March 01, 2020, 01:00:45 AM
Quote from: daklein on March 01, 2020, 12:34:42 AM
I brought home two recently.  Haven't crushed my toes yet.  Unloading video:   https://photos.app.goo.gl/G9JUjG4SmuEC6yGFA    I moved them by levering with a large steel prybar, and rolling on pipes.   Exide / GNB Tubular LMX model    1900#, 48v, 540Ah each.   I estimate that translates to 1294Ah total at C/20 which is more like how I might use them.

I am setting up the parts from a DC Solar trailer as a battery backup off grid system.  Work in process, need to build a box and venting.  They can _stink_ when charging.  I added midpack fuses yesterday.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/q1euFhioH266nPvW9

They seem to be ok so far.  I don't think I'd want some of the solar trailer batteries, they could have been abused, especially the light tower ones if they're older and have been used like at the racetracks, IMHO.  It's possible to get some idea though.  The SMA inverters have SOC histogram data,  mine said 98 or 99% of time between 90-100 SOC.  Being either lucky or careful in picking which trailer to buy at auction, I think this set were just on the trailer being float charged by the solar for the last two years or so.  There were different model forklift batteries used at different time periods.

I load tested them from 100% down to about 70%, and they seem to have about the right capacity for new.  Electrolyte level was a little low, below the top of the plates.  I added 16 gallons total I think, to the total of 48 cells.  Sounds like a lot, but these are 'low maintenance' with large head space in each cell, maybe not much less than 1/3 gal.   

I probably wouldn't have chosen to buy these, but they came with all the other stuff on the trailer, so I'll use them as long as they work.  Certainly plenty of load capacity, but maybe not so efficient round trip energy wise, especially if staying up in higher SOC range for longer life, just gassing away energy.

Disposing of them someday will be an adventure too.  Maybe I can find someone who can pick them up with a liftgate truck?
Maybe when it comes time to dispose them you can cut the buss bars and pull each cell out and move separately .
Glad your toes are okay - watched your video - gravity helps !

Larry
Title: Re: Anyone using forklift lead acid batteries
Post by: qrper on March 01, 2020, 10:00:55 AM
Thats a nice set up.

Wonder if you're doing 24 or 48V system?

I'm not sure what you mean by racetrack batteries.

When they are kaput, the cores are still worth quite a lot. I've seen companies that advertise for used forklift batteries. I'd be they'd come and pick them up for free or very little.

Mike
Title: Re: Anyone using forklift lead acid batteries
Post by: qrper on March 01, 2020, 10:04:30 AM
Oops....

re-read you post.

I see 48V system.

mike
Title: Re: Anyone using forklift lead acid batteries
Post by: qrper on March 01, 2020, 10:06:22 AM
Quote from: ClassicCrazy on March 01, 2020, 01:00:45 AM
Quote from: daklein on March 01, 2020, 12:34:42 AM
I brought home two recently.  Haven't crushed my toes yet.  Unloading video:   https://photos.app.goo.gl/G9JUjG4SmuEC6yGFA    I moved them by levering with a large steel prybar, and rolling on pipes.   Exide / GNB Tubular LMX model    1900#, 48v, 540Ah each.   I estimate that translates to 1294Ah total at C/20 which is more like how I might use them.

I am setting up the parts from a DC Solar trailer as a battery backup off grid system.  Work in process, need to build a box and venting.  They can _stink_ when charging.  I added midpack fuses yesterday.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/q1euFhioH266nPvW9

They seem to be ok so far.  I don't think I'd want some of the solar trailer batteries, they could have been abused, especially the light tower ones if they're older and have been used like at the racetracks, IMHO.  It's possible to get some idea though.  The SMA inverters have SOC histogram data,  mine said 98 or 99% of time between 90-100 SOC.  Being either lucky or careful in picking which trailer to buy at auction, I think this set were just on the trailer being float charged by the solar for the last two years or so.  There were different model forklift batteries used at different time periods.

I load tested them from 100% down to about 70%, and they seem to have about the right capacity for new.  Electrolyte level was a little low, below the top of the plates.  I added 16 gallons total I think, to the total of 48 cells.  Sounds like a lot, but these are 'low maintenance' with large head space in each cell, maybe not much less than 1/3 gal.   

I probably wouldn't have chosen to buy these, but they came with all the other stuff on the trailer, so I'll use them as long as they work.  Certainly plenty of load capacity, but maybe not so efficient round trip energy wise, especially if staying up in higher SOC range for longer life, just gassing away energy.

Disposing of them someday will be an adventure too.  Maybe I can find someone who can pick them up with a liftgate truck?
Maybe when it comes time to dispose them you can cut the buss bars and pull each cell out and move separately .
Glad your toes are okay - watched your video - gravity helps !

Larry

I wonder if one of those Harbor Freight 'engine pullers' has enough grunt to lift one of those up. Wouldn't need to be too high, just off of the floor

mike
Title: Re: Anyone using forklift lead acid batteries
Post by: daklein on March 04, 2020, 06:08:48 PM
I thought for a short time about cutting _all_ the bus bars in order to carry them down to the basement and set it all up down there.  The cells are about 90 pounds, so they could be carried.   An engine hoist sort of crane would help.  I decided on keeping in the garage for now.

racetracks:  The trailers were sold or used at a number of Nascar tracks.  The LED tower models had a load of maybe 1000W of LEDs, and I guess that could be enough load to abuse the batteries vs. the power available from 2650W of solar, depending on how they were used, maybe the lights have timers or were only used sometimes.  Just speculating.
Title: Re: Anyone using forklift lead acid batteries
Post by: jedon on October 05, 2020, 12:41:41 PM
I'm running a 48V 56kWh forklift battery with a watering system. It's great! I was running 24 GC2's previously, they never really lasted more than a couple years so the forklift battery, although expensive at $7K will be worth it in the long run since they last around 20 years if treated right.
Title: Re: Anyone using forklift lead acid batteries
Post by: qrper on October 06, 2020, 02:14:09 PM
Quote from: jedon on October 05, 2020, 12:41:41 PM
I'm running a 48V 56kWh forklift battery with a watering system. It's great! I was running 24 GC2's previously, they never really lasted more than a couple years so the forklift battery, although expensive at $7K will be worth it in the long run since they last around 20 years if treated right.

Wonder did you purchase this battery new or used, or refurbished?

mike
Title: Re: Anyone using forklift lead acid batteries
Post by: binkino on December 10, 2020, 12:06:21 PM
have 575Ah / 48 Volt system
http://a68k.de/pv/umbau2.htm
works great
cheap and reliable
not so efficient like modern battery like Li-Ion or similar, but I do not care ;)
Title: Re: Anyone using forklift lead acid batteries
Post by: Trukinbear on December 16, 2020, 01:33:17 PM
I rented a trailer and a pallet jack and brought my 2000# battery home myself. Also, the individual cells are removable (usually) and weigh between 80 and 150# and can usually be moved by one person - much easier to move it all as a unit though. I LOVE my battery!
Title: Re: Anyone using forklift lead acid batteries
Post by: Trukinbear on December 16, 2020, 02:24:03 PM
PS If you go to lift it with your Harbor Freight engine lift you must also use a distributed lifting bar - the 'ears' will just fold over if you hook a chain to either one and pull from the middle, you MUST use a lifting bar.
Title: Re: Anyone using forklift lead acid batteries
Post by: Bob D on February 01, 2021, 03:31:05 PM
Maybe a bit late for input on this thread.
In 2014 I installed a Crown forktruck battery, 12LM85-15, rated at about 790 AH ( 20 hr rate).
After some discussion with Crown, it was specified as their "H2GO" design, which has large water capacity above the plates, recombiner vent caps, and a level alarm.
The target specific gravity is 1.285, as someone mentioned in an earlier post this is typical for industrial batteries.
Under our normal use, which depletes the battery 15-20% overnight, it has performed great.
After some discussion with Crown's tech department, the absorb and equalize voltages were tweaked, and as a result the SG stays in pretty good shape.
The absorb voltage is higher than what is perhaps usual, at 30 volts, but that gets the absorb SG to about 1.265-1.27 daily, and I EQ every 10 days for 3 hours at 31V.
As mentioned above, these settings were determined after a few months of monitoring the system and chatting with Crown.
I water every month or so, adding about 3/4 liter per cell.
The absorb terminates at 11 amps, typically taking 5-6 hours.
As far as I can tell, the battery capacity has dropped somewhat in the 7 years of operation, but I haven'[t bother with a load test to quantify the drop because the battery still does what we need.
In the discussions with Crown, they encouraged me to not treat it as a precious object, but instead discharge it quite a bit once in a while and then charge it as fast as I can ( about 90 amps).  Their main concern with life is making sure that it is fully charged - hence the somewhat aggressive absorb and EQ voltages.
A couple of nice things about a battery like this:
-the cell to cell connections are welded lead, so there is no cable corrosion or maintenance
-The wiring connections are a type that will handle forklift currents - so typical inverter currents are well under the limits.

On the other hand, it is a brute - 1200 pounds.

Prior to this battery, I bought a reconditioned forktruck battery of a similar size, for about 1/3 the cost of the Crown.  It lasted 3 years.  From the beginning it was evident that it was not in real good shape, taking a very long time to finish absorb, making the system pretty inefficient. Once I understood better what good looks like, I abandoned it and bought the new Crown.  Got $300 scrap value from the old battery.

The system is unused 4 months or so during the winter.  I leave the charge controller on, with a 1000 watt bank of panels adjusted vertically to shed snow. The inverter is on a low power standby, drawing 5 watts or so, with a timer to turn on the modem, local computer, and network so that once every few days I can take a look at how things are doing.  Mainly this is just to make sure the battery voltage is high enough that the freezing point is well below the ambient temperature.

The charge controller is set for a short absorb and no equalization, to limit water consumption, to ensure that low water is not an issue during the winter sleep.
In the spring, it takes a few sunny days to get the specific gravity back up to 1.28 or so, but so far that has been OK each spring.

Unrelated to the forktruck battery subject, for years I used a AC generator as backup, powering the AC system and using the inverter as a charger. It was always a balancing act between the charge rate and having enough AC to run pumps, etc. A bigger generator would help, but there is a limited selection of high amperage 120 volt generators.  Currently I have a 70 amp, 24 volt generator connected to the battery, and run it whenever the battery needs it. The generator runs flat out for either a set time or until the battery reaches about 80% SOC, monitored by the WB Jr and the Magnum inverter.  Works great.

Title: Re: Anyone using forklift lead acid batteries
Post by: Vic on February 01, 2021, 04:12:17 PM
Hi Bob,   Thanks for the very informative details of your Crown battery.

When the existing FLA main banks here start to give up,   may "try" a Forklift battery.   The Surrette 4KS25s are now in their 16th year of off-grid service,   and seem to be holding up well  (knock on wood).

Thanks again, Vic
Title: Re: Anyone using forklift lead acid batteries
Post by: Firsola on March 13, 2024, 03:36:08 AM
Do you have forklift replacement batteries?