Installing a new forklift battery

Okay, I'm still a little boy (at heart) and love mechanical things and heavy equipment! I'm especially fascinated with the size of these forklift batteries - for this type of forklift the batteries weigh an average of 1,500 pounds (680 kilograms). This particular battery is a "gel cell" that replaced, in another YouTube video, an old lead-acid "wet cell."

delodi77 wrote with this info: "It's an 18 cell 36v VRLA/sealed square tubular plate Smarthog made in Richmond, KY. Roughly 800Ah depending on size. (18-80S-21)"

Here's my personal web page:
http://www.rogerwendell.com

09-11-2009

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• forklift
• battery
• removal
• replacement
• wet
• cell
• gel

[wifebeater756]

when i was little my dad had batterys like this that he would steal from work i think he used them in a back up solar system that brought back some flash backs i wana get my hands on one of them

[zeekzilch]

@wifebeater756

I'm sure they would work okay for a solar electric system but there are other batteries on the market that are manufactured specifically for that use. Good luck!

[delodi77]

It's an 18 cell 36v VRLA/sealed square tubular plate Smarthog made in Richmond, KY. Roughly 800Ah depending on size. (18-80S-21)

[zeekzilch]

Thanks! I've added your info to the video description.

[beaman220]

That is a huge battery! What is the voltage on it?

[zeekzilch]

I believe it's 36 volts at many hundreds of Amps...

- Roger J. Wendell

Golden, Colorado

[Melipp0212]

AGM technology from GNB Industrial Power is more effective and actually hold up better.

[delodi77]

I can get you new or used or even rent...email me at kevin.dillard@enersys.com

[zeekzilch]

David,

Good question! In "round" numbers, the new gel cell battery costs about $6,000 - that includes shipping and battery exchange. The wet cell costs about $4,500.

The gel cell lasts about one third the time of the wet cell but produces a lot less gas when being charged so is considered safer indoors.

Roger