Product category:
Miscellaneous equipment, batteries, battery charging systems, etc
News Release from: Exide Technologies | Subject: Traction battery chargers
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 15 July 2005
Simplifying battery charger selection
Battery charger selection will be less complex and changes to the designs will further improve reliability and reduce life costs says a suplier expanding its range to over 300 models.
Chloride Motive Power has carried out a range review of its charger range aimed at further enhancing the benefits to customers The move is being spearheaded by Richard Conlon, the recently appointed global business director
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 9 Apr 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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Charger selection in the future will be less complex and changes to the designs will further improve reliability and reduce life costs.
The new range will boast over 300 models and gives comprehensive cover of today's materials handling and other motive power markets.
"The move was initiated as a result of feedback from customers," comments Conlon.
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"During the range consolidation and re-design great emphasis was placed upon the reduction of componentry, especially in the high frequency products." Conlon adds, "In the long run, this will allow us to increase manufacturing efficiency and reduce costs for customers." The market is rapidly moving to high frequency chargers; with the more compact design and greater efficiency winning approval over the more conventional chargers.
By 2007, CMP estimates that well over 80% of the European market will have embraced the new technology and be using HF chargers.
CMP already has two ranges of HF chargers and invested in the technology over a decade ago.
Although initially more expensive than a conventional charger, HF chargers will bring immediate operational, economic and environmental benefits.
They are about one-tenth the size of a conventional charger, freeing up space for more profitable uses.
HF chargers have a better power factor rating so demands on the mains decreases, giving lower installation costs and saving money by reducing supply requirements.
For large fleet users in particular, this can have a huge impact on their investment.
HF chargers are more efficient, therefore a lower whole-life cost is achievable.
Improvements in the charging technology are also working in tandem with developments in the batteries themselves.
CMP is the only manufacturer to make batteries and matched chargers.
"We are fortunate in the UK in having both batteries and chargers locally produced which is unique in the industry." claims Tony Summers, Industrial Energy Group marketing manager.
Although the majority of traction batteries are still of the vented lead acid type, benefits are being gained as much from the charging and changing processes as the batteries themselves.
Monitoring systems like CMP.net ensure that forklift drivers do not merely take the nearest battery from the charging room, but take a fully recharged battery that has been rotated, so that all batteries get equal usage.
Battery ID systems help ensure that the correct battery is used with the right charger and there is a regimented rotation of batteries.
The battery ID system operates by Radio Frequency Identification (RFID); a 'tag' on the battery connector gives information on the battery.
Such a feature is particularly important for the rental market, where battery abuse is more likely.
Battery monitoring units offer even more information to managers about a battery's history and can help ensure maximum product life.
Summers sums up, "The new chargers will be rolled out over the coming months".
"They will have a common shape, colour and PCB style".
"The new range of High Frequency products will all be of a generic design, to offer similar benefits".
"The new style means even greater ease of access for engineers".
"Customers with the old style chargers will still be able to gain support and spare parts".
"The new chargers will improve our service levels even further so that our customers will benefit due to CMP's total solutions approach which will help our customers achieve their aim of zero downtime on their material handling operation whilst ensuring the protection and return on investment.".
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