Scissor lift batteries

[lynnbilodeau]

I bought a used JLG 1930ES scissor lift about 4 years ago. Probably saved my life multiple times as I have 18 foot to 17 foot ceilings in my shop/warehouse. Other than my two post vehicle lift, it has been my most useful tool, even though it is pretty beat up. Who cares what it looks like if it gets the job done.

My only complaint is the lead acid batteries. It uses four 6v batteries. I have to top off water AT LEAST monthly. I am always having to clean off acid, and clean up cable ends. I am still using the four Interstate batteries that were in it when I purchased it. Like these: https://www.batteriesinaflash.com/c...MvEqE8cuvMDpfJkXrOFNjjJ6Qrvadis7BugNQguWayYN5

They are at the end of useful life. Used to be I could work on it running up and down for 4 to 6 hours. Now, maybe 1 hour.... if I am lucky. So, no doubt, time to replace.

I have given up on lead acid batteries in all my vehicles (15). I am NOT going back with lead acid in my scissor lift. I have Braille batteries in several cars and am really impressed. They charge fine with the standard alternators, and the ones that get driven seldom do fine with C-Tek battery tenders.

As far as I know, my only other choices other than lead acid are AGM or Lithium.

I haven't read much about the Lithium, but heard I will need a different charger than the one built into my lift. A quick look on the JLG site shows a replacement charger for Lithium batteries at about $2,100!!!. That's more than I paid for the lift.

Anyone on here that is an expert in Scissor lift (or fork lift) batteries, and what my best option is?

I don't have any projects pending where I need to use this lift for over an hour, so I am not in a huge hurry. I don't mind using two 12v batteries instead of four 6v, if I can get the AH I need from something like that.
Any help is appreciated.

 

[IndyGarage]

I've had a couple scissor lifts and added water maybe every 6 months. Are the batteries made for deep cycle?

I had really good luck with Trojan batteries when I had to replace mine. They are expensive, but good. I've heard of people using old Nissan Leaf battery cells in golf carts - I thought about it on a golf cart, but in the end it wasn't worth the hassle of figuring it out.

 

[lynnbilodeau]

Yes, they are deep cycle.

 

[dcg9381]

I had an RV with coach lead-acid deep cycle batteries that would do that. I investigated and I found that the charger was "dumb" and was basically pushing the battery to 14.7V all the time. That's what was causing the the water loss (and a few times boil-overs). All had to do was add this $15 module that plugged into the charger to drop the float.

In the mean time, I'd only charge that when using it and leave it disconnected (assuming no parasitic drain).. Or put it on a real maintaining charger that has lower float voltage.

Definitely investigate the charger.

There are all sorts of "golf cart" conversion kits to lithium and I do a LOT with lithium batteries... They will required a higher voltage charge to get to 100%, you can't charge them when it's freezing (some self-protect) but there may be some options... All of 'em are going to be over $1k and the charger is going to cost a few hundred additional.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

The batteries are also there as counterweights to prevent tipping, so keep that in mind if you go to 12vdc. You'd best leave a couple of the dead batteries in the tray.

 

[neblinc]

I bought 4 new batteries for my neighbor's lift when I borrowed it. They were shot in less than a year. Turned out the charger was bad.

 

[i84x]

I would look into a “trickle charger”. Some chargers will just supply the full charging load constantly even at 100% this will kill batteries after a period of time unless you are constantly using it. Trickle chargers are a bit smarter and can monitor the battery and turn themselves off / on.
Also if you want to protect the lugs / terminals you can use a battery terminal grease that stops corrosion.

 

[u3b3rg33k]

I put some of the genius bank chargers in lead acid equipment. charges reliably, holds a charge while plugged in (vs timer chargers that just stop), and loses less water.

you'd be fine going LFP so long as you ballast it properly. weights are cheap.