Douglas Battery
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Newequipment 9245 Rtfhb
Newequipment 9245 Rtfhb
Newequipment 9245 Rtfhb
Newequipment 9245 Rtfhb

A Battery Designed for Cold Storage Applications

Jan. 22, 2019
Brian Faust of Douglas Battery discusses their arctic battery and how it helps save energy and money in cold-storage applications.

When it comes to cold storage and freezer applications, the most important element – as expected – is the cool temperature functionality which is vital for storing and transporting perishable products such as fruits and vegetables, poultry and biopharmaceutical medicines, among others. In order to yield these cold storage environments, a strong, dependable and long-lasting power source is needed. Unfortunately, some types of conventional lead-acid batteries just can’t endure the “chill” atmosphere. Built to withstand the harshest cold storage and freezer application demands, the Douglas Battery Legacy Arctic Battery can help shield cold lift trucks fleets from lower productivity and higher battery and charger costs.

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.