Month: November 2017

As the winter months creep ever closer, we hear more and more from customers about their concerns over not getting a good cold cranking amp (CCA) rating when testing their group 31 stud top batteries.

Nearly 100% of the time, they are not connecting the MIDTRONICS tester correctly. Now, it’s a common mistake to use the stud as the connection point – but, the problem with this is the stud is made of steel which prohibits the tester from getting accurate results.

Let’s take a look at two different ways to test for your battery’s CCA rating, and why testing even matters.

Why You Should Test For Your CCA Rating

The CCA rating is used to determine a battery’s ability to start an engine in a cold environment.

The higher the CCA rating of the battery, the better the battery will be at starting an engine in a wintery climate. Testing for your battery’s CCA rating is important throughout the life of the battery. This is because as the battery ages, its starting power begins to deteriorate.

Using a post adaptor

1. Before getting started with any battery test or charging process, it’s always a good idea to clean the battery with a wire brush and a cleaning mixture of baking soda and water. Using a clean, dry cloth to make sure the battery is dry and free of debris.
2. Connect the post adapters. By not using the post adapters you will receive inaccurate results. Even on a new battery, the posts can be worn and dirty which prohibits accurate testing.
3. When connecting the adapters, make sure you do not tighten more than a ¼ turn to avoid damage.
4. Make sure the adapters are securely touching the lead pad below the stud (if they aren’t, you won’t get an accurate reading).
5. To connect the tester, attach the red clamp to the positive terminal and the black clamp to the negative terminal.
6. Most testers will provide a message if the clamps are not connected properly. To test for proper connection, wiggle, or rock, the clamps back and forth. If you receive a message to “ Check Clamps” or “Wiggle Clamps” you will need to clean the terminals and reconnect the clamps.

Connecting Directly To The Lead Pad

1. Cleaning the battery is always the first step to any procedure involving a battery.
2. Locate the lead pad which is located directly below the studs.

Pro-Tip: Connecting directly to the lead pad is the best way to connect to a Group 31 stud type battery. The studs are not meant for directing an electrical current and are therefore unreliable as a connection point.

3. Attach the red clamp to the lead pad under the positive stud and the black clamp to the lead pad under the negative stud.
4. Check to make sure you have a good connection by wiggling the clamps. If the tester sends back a message to “Check Clamps” or “Wiggle Clamps” you will need to make sure the lead pads are free of dirt and debris and re-attach the clamps.

For more, check out this video to see step by step instructions on How To Test A Group 31 Battery.

Although the floor scrubber has come a long way in the last 60 years, one thing remains the same: they need maintenance.

The same four maintenance needs of the original floor scrubbers still exist today. Let’s take a look at these four issues and address ways to prevent them from getting out of control.

Issue 1: The floor scrubber is not putting down water

• Check to make sure there is water in the tank. Never just assume that someone else filled it.
• Clean the water solution tank and the filter to make sure there is nothing clogging the way. These should be cleaned regularly to prevent clogging.
• Check the pump (if applicable) and the solenoid to make sure they are getting power. If there is power flowing and one of them is still not working, that component will need to be replaced.
• Check the switch on the dashboard to make sure that it’s operating correctly. Most floor scrubbers use a switch to control the water flow.
• The final step is to check the computer board. If the board is not working then power cannot flow to the pump, solenoid, or switch and will prevent water from coming out.

Issue 2: The Floor Scrubber Is Not Picking Up Water

• Check to make sure the hose is securely attached to the squeegee assembly and the recovery tank. A loose hose can prevent complete water pickup.
• A break in the vacuum hose can create a loss of suction which results in water not being picked up. Check the hose for any holes or cracks. Even a small puncture can cause bad water pick up.
• A worn or dirty squeegee will prevent water from being picked up, leaving streaks of water behind. Checking to see if the squeegee needs to be replaced or simply cleaned can be a quick and simple fix.
• Check to see if the squeegee assembly is level. It’s possible that it has been bumped out of place, creating a gap between the squeegee and floor.
• Make sure the hose is not clogged. By doing a back flush on the hose after each use you will prevent future clogs.
• If there is decreased suction but no leaks in the hose, clean the debris tray as well as the recovery water tank. Doing this after each use will prevent suction loss. Check to make sure the float in the recovery tank is not stuck in the closed position. This will also create a loss of suction.
• Clean the lid gaskets. When the gaskets get dirty it can prevent water pick up. Cleaning the gaskets after each use will prevent this issue in the future.

Issue 3: The floor scrubber is not cleaning correctly

• Are you using the correct pad and changing it often? If you can answer yes to these questions then consider changing pad types (more or less aggressive) to get the desired result.
• Check the pressure settings. If you have too much or too little pressure in combination with the pad type can have an adverse effect.
• Read the label on the cleaning chemicals. Some cleaners have chemical components that are too harsh for the type of floor you are cleaning and can actually remove the finish.
• Make sure your scrubber is being properly maintained. A dirty machine will not clean effectively. Create a daily preventative maintenance schedule to keep the scrubber cleaning it’s best.
• Evaluate the type of squeegee and pads you have in relation to the finish. Some finishes require a more dense type of squeegee or a less aggressive pad.

Issue 4: The floor scrubber is not moving

• Testing the amp draw is a good place to start when the machine is not moving forward or backward.
• Test the batteries to make sure they are charged. If they will not hold a charge they will need to be replaced.
• Make sure you are using the correct batteries for the scrubber. Because the scrubber requires a significant amount of power means that using the wrong batteries can result in a faster drain.
• Check the battery charger to make sure it’s working correctly. It’s not uncommon to have perfectly good batteries that cannot charge due to a defective charger.

Forklifts are the workhorse of nearly every plant and warehouse. What used to take four guys an hour to move now takes one forklift 10 minutes. That is, as long as the forklift battery is charged and working properly.

Lead-acid batteries are still leading the pack when it comes to forklift batteries but lithium-ion batteries are coming in a close second. Which is the better choice? Let’s take a look at some of the Pros and Cons of these motive power all stars.

Lithium-Ion Batteries

The lithium-ion battery, while still considered the new kid in most motive power applications, is quickly becoming a strong contender. The question is, why?

Pros

• Low maintenance is one of the biggest draws for the lithium-ion battery. Because they don’t contain electrolyte (water) or acid, there is no need to check water levels and go through the whole painstaking process of refilling them when they get low
• Lithium-ion batteries can hold a charge for 5000 cycles. That approximately 5 times more than a lead-acid battery. That’s also a number that was generated through testing in a controlled environment and doesn’t equate 1 to 1 in the real world. That being said, the average cycles per lifetime for a lead-acid battery ranges from 400 to 1500. The average cycles per lifetime for a lithium-ion battery are 2000 to 4000. While not as good as the number produced in the studies, it’s still a whopping 5 times longer than the most well maintained lead-acid battery.
• Low maintenance and a long life are great, but so is ease of use, and lithium-ion batteries are easy to use. They don’t require the cooldown time that lead-acid batteries do between each charging cycle. They are also really lightweight and versatile. They can easily handle the vibrations, bounces, and bangs that go along with most motive power application.

Cons

• While the lightweight nature of the lithium-ion battery is certainly a plus in many applications, there are still a lot of forklifts that depend on the weight of the battery to act as a counterbalance to the load being lifted.
• Lithium is a non-sustainable resource. This means that when the lithium in the world runs out, it’s gone and there’s nothing we can do to create, or grow more. Lithium-ion batteries not only deplete the world’s resources but it also drives up the cost, which brings me to my next point.
• These batteries can be cost prohibitive. While their performance is great their price tag is not. So before you buy, take a look at the cost per watt.

 

Lead-Acid

The lead-acid battery is considered by many to be old faithful. A tried and true battery that, while it doesn’t last forever, does the job and does it well, most of the time.

 

Pros

• Lead-acid batteries are extremely cost-effective. If well maintained, they can last a decent amount of time. They are easy to manufacture which helps keep the cost down and ensure they will be readily available for a long time to come.
• Many forklifts on the market today were created to be used with a lead-acid battery. They rely on the weight and high discharge rate that the lead-acid battery provides.
• While the technology behind lead-acid batteries is time-tested, it’s also evolving. Sealed lead-acid batteries mean less downtime for maintenance and greater durability.

 

Cons

• Yes, the technology behind these batteries is evolving, but they are still fickle and require a lot of upkeep. They require optimum storage conditions, as well as regular cleaning and special handling due to environmental concerns.
• They are limited in the number of full discharge cycles within their lifetime. As much as these batteries are moving in the right direction, they still don’t last nearly as long as the lithium-ion battery.
• The lead-acid battery is heavy and cumbersome. Yes, this is a positive point to many forklift manufacturers but it also limits the number of applications in the real world.

Clearly, there is no definitive answer when it comes to the question of which is the best battery. That’s why you need to evaluate your forklift needs and match them up with this Pro’s and Con’s list to see which battery is right for you.

Recycle Your Spent Lead Acid Batteries

Even though the national recycling rate has increased over the last three decades, the current recycling rate sits at just 34%. But, the good news here is that nearly 99% of all lead-acid batteries are recycled, making it one of the most recycled consumer products in the country. (That’s 2.81 MILLION tons!)

November 15th is America Recycles day, a national initiative to keep America beautiful. It’s a chance for you to get rid of unwanted scrap. Do you have spent lead acid batteries taking up floor or shelf space? Get rid of the clutter by recycling them Nov. 15th, and you’ll be helping yourself and those around you.

All Northeast Battery branches  accept scrap lead acid batteries. There is no better day to make a difference.

Lead batteries safeguard many aspects of our life. It’s only appropriate that when these batteries reach the end of their life, we take action. Northeast Battery is a recycling expert, and has been safely transporting, disposing and recycling batteries in compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations for decades.

If lead batteries power your business or your life (or both), it’s easy to keep the life cycle moving. Recycle your batteries November 15th for America’s Recycle Day. For every other day of the year, there’s Northeast Battery. 

 

Recycling by the Numbers

Did you know that on average, a new lead acid battery is only 20% new? Those batteries are made up of more than 80% recycled lead battery material, making it so important to recycle spent lead acid batteries.

Lead batteries are relied upon by nearly 255 million cars and trucks, and more than 65% of all forklifts in the U.S.

The lifetime of a lead battery has increased by 30-35% in the last 20 years.

In the 2017 Impact Report from the Sustainable Consortium, lead battery manufacturing was recognized for its strong record on worker health and safety.

Find more information about America Recycles Day, visit americarecyclesday.org.