A Cold Reality Check
Depending on the internal temperature that a standard, lead-acid battery reaches in a cold storage area, its power volume losses can range between 20 to 60%. For example, with an internal temperature of 32°F (0°C), a fully charged conventional lead-acid battery will only deliver 75% of the volume it would at a normal room temperature of 77°F (25°C). With an internal temperature of 0°F (-18°C), that same battery’s volume would drop to 40%.
These types of power volume losses occur because exposure to cold temperatures increases the thickness of a battery’s electrolyte. As the electrolyte fluid solidifies, its diffusion through the pores of the active battery plate slows, making it harder to achieve the chemical reaction needed to power the cold/freezer application. As temperatures and power capacities drop, the corresponding dip in run times can be significant. For instance, a battery designed to operate for eight hours in ambient environments may only last four to six hours in cold storage facilities.
Cold-driven reductions in battery runtimes can make it very difficult for operators to maintain proper run, charge and cool-down cycles. The end result could lead to decreased battery life and unnecessarily higher battery costs.
An Innovative Breakthrough
The Douglas Legacy Arctic Battery delivers optimal voltage, capacity, and service life in cold storage and freezer applications while protecting against undercharging and de-rationing of capacity and charge acceptance. It is capable of running up to 15% longer in low temperatures than a conventional lead-acid battery. The Legacy Arctic Battery integrates the thick-plate Legacy High Performance battery with an exclusive Arctic Electrolyte solution. The combination enables excellent conductivity in cold temperatures, especially during peak demand periods.
In cold storage and freezer applications, the lift truck battery’s outer cells are most affected by low temperatures. To help keep the outer cells warmer and enable more effective capacity and voltage levels overall, the Legacy Arctic battery is equipped with a specially designed thermal tray insulator. The five-fold plate insulations system provides further protection for long and dependable service life.
Other features include flip-top vent caps for easy watering and reduced dripping of electrolyte into cell covers; trays protected with electrostatic baked-on epoxy to withstand corrosion, reduce voltage tracking, short circuits and rust; and optional quick connect cables that reduce downtime and maintenance.
In conclusion, the Legacy Arctic battery offers easier charging regimes and little maintenance time. When paired with a charger that features an arctic charging profile, the Arctic battery can help prevent the voltage misreading that leads to chronic undercharging in cold temperatures.
There are a lot of companies out there that rely on their cold storage and freezer applications to keep their business operations running smoothly and choosing the right battery to run your system is vital to ensure continued success and profitability in the future.
Authored by: Brian Faust
Brian Faust has over 20 years of experience in the material handling industry and is currently General Manager for Douglas Battery in Reading, PA. Prior to his role as General Manager, Brian was Vice President of Sales for Douglas Battery where he managed sales teams, programs and company direction for both the Motive Power and Reserve Power divisions of the Douglas Battery brands.
