Glossary

Advanced Priority Charger
Multi-station Minit-Charger that intelligently prioritizes connected trucks for charging, thereby returning optimum charge while minimizing peak demand power. Used with staggered breaks, provides the highest charge return to each truck at each break while maintaining low connected load and power peaks.

Air-Gapped Batteries
Special order, extra cost flooded lead acid batteries that include cooling vents in the tray and/or air gaps between cells. Usually recommended by fast charge manufacturers with flawed charge profiles so as to dissipate battery heat - but not required with Minit-Charger. (See also "Battery Compartment Fans")

Ampere Hour (AH)
A measure of the volume of electricity determined by multiplying the number of amps delivered by the time (hours) of delivery.

Battery Capacity
The rated amount of AH which can be delivered under specified conditions of temperature, rate of discharge and final battery voltage.

Battery Compartment Fans
Special order, extra cost after market fans installed in lift truck battery compartments. Usually recommended by fast charge manufacturers with flawed charge profiles so as to dissipate battery heat - but not required with Minit-Charger. (See also "Air-Gapped Batteries")

Battery Designation
A common rating for battery types consisting of three groups of numerals, i.e. 18-85-17 indicates the battery contains 18 cells. Each cell has 17 positive and negative plates (one more negative than positive) and each plate is rated at 85AH. The battery capacity may be determined by multiplying the number of positive plates by the plate capacity: 8 * 85 = 680 AH. The battery voltage is determined by multiplying the number of cells by 2: 18 * 2 = 36 volts.

Cell
A single unit in battery construction containing the positive and negative plates and enclosed electrolyte for the generation of electric energy. The capacity of a cell is determined by the size of each plate (measured in AH) times the number of negative plates.

Charging
The process of converting electrical energy to stored chemical energy.

Conventional Charge
Technology employing I-V-I charging control and typically delivers approximately 16 - 21 Amps DC for each 100 AH battery rating.

Cycle
A discharge of a battery and its subsequent recharge.

Dedicated Charger
A fast charge strategy where each lift truck to be charged has its own single station dedicated charger.

Equalizing Charge
An extended charge of a battery beyond the full charge to insure the complete restoration of active materials in all the plates of all the cells.

Flooded Lead Acid
A type of battery chemistry employing lead (Pb) negative plates and lead peroxide (PbO2) positive plates with a sulfuric acid electrolyte.

Full Charge
A type of battery charge that restores a battery to near its rated capacity.

Gassing
The evolution of gases from the electrodes during electrolysis. Electrolysis occurs when more charge energy is delivered to the battery than it can convert to stored energy.

Grid
A metallic framework used in a battery for conducting the electric current and supporting the active plate material.

Intercell Connectors
The conductors used to connect one cell to the next in battery construction. The positive post of one cell is connected to the negative post of the next to place the cells in series.

Jar
The container for the cell contents.

Maintenance Free Battery
A battery of special sealed or low-loss venting construction which requires no addition of water.

Opportunity Charging
A charging strategy that allows partial charges whenever the lift truck battery is idle and available for charging. Opportunities exist at operator breaks, lunches, between shifts and in normal process hold points.

Over- and Undercharging
Maximum battery life and performance is achieved when batteries are charged at a rate that is consistent with their ability to accept charge. Over charging a battery occurs when the charge rate exceeds the battery’s ability to accept the charge resulting in excess gassing and heating and detrimental side reactions. Conversely, under charging occurs when a lower charge rate is delivered, thereby wasting charge return time and potentially creating capacity decline in the battery.

Partial Charge
A battery recharge that restores some but not all of the battery capacity.

Single Point Watering
Watering system installed on top of battery to allow watering without need for removing the battery or lifting cell caps. Aids in adding water to battery electrolyte to replace electrolysis and evaporative losses. Minit-Charger customers typically water only once per week.

State of Charge (SOC)
A measure of the amount of electrochemical energy left in a cell or battery. Expressed as a percentage of Battery Capacity. The SOC is the opposite of the Depth of Discharge (DOD) in that 60% SOC = 40% DOD.

Tray
The steel enclosure for the assembled battery cells.

Usable Battery Capacity (UBC)
80% of the battery's nameplate capacity.

Working Discharge Rate
Averaged measure of throughput from the battery during a typical hour of work. (Shift hours minus breaks, lunches, shift change, etc.)