RowPow Q&A: Maximise Your Forklift Efficiency With Li-ion Batteries

RoyPow is the lithium battery supplier for Hyundai High Performance Forklifts Australia's electric forklifts. RowPow is a global brand with a subsidiary in Australia. They specialise in the R&D and manufacturing of new energy solutions, in particular lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery systems. RowPow has proved to be an outstanding partner in maximising the performance of our electric forklifts.

As more and more businesses are making the move to lithium to reduce emissions and reduce the ever-growing cost of fuel, we understand that you want to use a trusted battery, so this week we caught up with William Lin the Business Development Manager at RowPow to answer your questions about batteries in your Hyundai forklifts.

What are the advantages of Li-ion batteries compared to lead-acid batteries?

There are so many advantages compared to lead acid batteries, such as fast charging, you can fully charge the 480 amp battery in less than 2 hours, and the ability to opportunity charge, you can charge it as you would your smartphone, so on your coffee break or over lunch. They also have longer life cycles, Li-ion batteries have been designed to withstand 3500+ deep cycle charges and can last as long as 10 years, compared to lead-acid where you'd be lucky to get two or three years. It also comes with a five-year warranty.

They are ideal for the Australian climate, with a working temperature range of -20 to 55 degrees Celsius. So it can easily withstand the higher temperatures we experience here, but if you need to run your truck in a freezer, it will be good too. You can ensure this by contacting your Hyundai dealer, and they can help you decide which batteries are best to suit your needs. Either way, all our batteries come with a heating pad to ensure they operate normally in freezing temperatures. Also if you are working in a hazardous environment or if something occurs like a collision or short circuit, our batteries won’t explode and are non-flammable, making them ideal for unstable or high-risk working conditions.

How cost-effective are Li–ion batteries?

Many customers think lithium batteries are very expensive, and yes, the initial cost is a little more expensive than lead-acid but they will save you a lot of money in the long run.
If you are a heavy user of your truck, you don’t need two batteries to swap at your charging station thanks to the fast-changing. Saving you money on multiple batteries and storage.

How are the batteries more environmentally friendly?

Many customers, especially in Australia, are asking about earth-friendly options. Lead-acid batteries are extremely polluting as they contain heavy metals, and the acid, which is self-explanatory, is toxic. But our lithium batteries contain iron phosphate and are therefore non-toxic and non-contaminating.

What is the plan for recycling the lithium batteries?

Recycling is a big business with huge potential. The opportunity with these batteries is that after a 10-year life cycle, they will still have 80% of their capacity remaining. It may not be suitable for use as a motive battery, but it can be used for storage. There is already a high demand for "end of life" batteries for storage, such as in farms.

What are the warehouse requirements for the normal usage and charging of lithium batteries?

Although 32 amps are recommended to maximise the benefits of the battery, it also works if you only have 20 amps. Our smart charger comes with a touch screen where you can set the top current and cap current coming into the battery, allowing you to use the entire system in a 20 amp setup.

Do small operations/warehouses need to upgrade facilities to optimise battery usage?

No, if you are renting a warehouse, it’s not necessary to upgrade the whole system. Simply inform your Hyundai dealer of your operating environment, and they will pre-set the charger to your specifications before you receive your portal.

What if a warehouse has voltage fluctuations, how does this affect the charging hours?

Fluctuations do not affect the charging hours but a pulse-like fluctuation will affect the desired lifespan of the battery. However, our smart charger communicates with the BMS (Battery Management System) in the battery and has protection features such as Low Voltage Protection and Short Circuit Protection.

How do you troubleshoot issues with the battery?

It’s extremely simple. All batteries come with a touch screen called the BDI (Battery Discharge Indicator) gauge attached to the BMS. The last page on the gauge shows the forklift information. So if the battery isn’t working and the LED shows a red colour, it means there is something wrong with the battery. Users can take a picture of the last page and send it to a technician, and we will be able to diagnose what is wrong with the battery based on that information.

Do you have a platform to monitor the battery?

We have a cloud-based platform that allows you to monitor the battery in a cloud-based system, which is ideal for rental companies or businesses with a fleet of forklifts.

Switching to RowPow Li-ion powered forklifts has numerous advantages, including quick charging, longer life cycles, suitability for the Australian climate, cost savings, and environmental friendliness. Maintenance and troubleshooting are simplified thanks to smart chargers and a cloud-based monitoring platform.

Contact your Hyundai dealer today to learn more and make the switch to Hyundai electric forklifts.