Tubular verses Plates

[2571]

Good afternoon,
A fellow maintenance person and myself are looking into the differences and advantages of a tubular battery opposed to a plate battery. We also have been told two different things when it come to charging. One supplier claim to not water before charging the other says water. Any help you could provide will be appreciated. We are reviewing these issues because of the quantity of batteries we currently have for our forklifts.

2571

 

[sreid]

My understanding (and it could just be tribal knowlwedge);

Tubular batteries last longer in vibration conditions (intrinsically stronger construction).

Add water after charging. Unless electrolyte is low, one never wants dry plates.

 

[IRstuff]

If your plates were exposed before charging, you need to at least add sufficient water to cover them. Seems to me that adding water after the fact is bad. If you're low on water, the solute concentration will be higher than it should be, or worse, it might have preciptated out. Additionally, the correct load of water will minimize any overheating during charging.

You might and should top off the water after charging.


TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[WoodyPE]

Tubular plate batteries are the best for charge capacity rating and for longevity.

Tubular battery plates have more exposed surface area than plain flat plates.

Enersys makes the best motive power battery on the market. It has a pretty high price tag but if you want the best performance, it's the way to go.