Lithium-ion Battery Supplier Selection: Eight Questions to Ask

Lithium-ion Battery Supplier Decision

Lithium-ion battery markets are in flux.In the last five to 10 years, lithium-ion technology has taken off and demand for these batteries is high.It has attracted many OEMs and created a buyer-beware environment. 

When choosing a forklift battery supplier, there are many factors to consider.The wrong lithium-ion battery for a forklift can affect an OEM’s entire business, from procurement to production.OEMs rely heavily on forklift transportation for their day-to-day operations, and forklifts rely heavily on batteries.The first step in determining the success of an OEM’s daily processes is choosing the right lithium-ion forklift battery supplier.Suppliers should be able to meet JIT shipping demands, lead technical innovation, and provide extended technical support to OEMs.Unless you do that, you may end up with a lithium-ion supplier instead of a long-term partner.This can result in dissatisfied customers and lost time and money. 

Here are some questions to ask the manufacturers:

This is a.Ask how long the company has been in business, how long they have served the material handling industry, and whether they have supplied batteries to major OEMs.Ask if they offer flooded lead-acid, AGM, and lithium-ion batteries.If the manufacturer is a start-up, has only been serving the material handling industry for a few years, or does not supply batteries to OEMs, move on. 

A company that manufactures and sells a full line of forklift lithium batteries knows the issues that can damage batteries and shorten their lifespans.Their products often incorporate solutions to these problems. 

1. How long have you worked with lithium-ion technology? If the answer is only a few years, the company probably still has a lotto learn.  

2. How do you provide customer support? Ensure that the company has a customer support line in the U.S. and in Europe staffed by real people who are able to answer questions and assist your technicians in troubleshooting. Check if 24/7 support is available and if lithium-ion product specialists are on staff.The infrastructure required to provide that level of service is simply not available to many newcomers to the market.  

3.What support do you provide to dealers who carry your products? Don’t work with a supplier who sells products and then disappears. A manufacturer with a systematic approach to communicating with dealers will help you avoid phone tag and long hold times.If the manufacturer has an authorized dealer network, ask if it trains dealers and provides them with information and materials to sell its products.  

4. Where do you sell your batteries? Battery manufacturers often sell directly to dealerships and are unable to provide follow-up services. Find a supplier who sells their batteries through a network of trained distributors.Distributors know and stand behind their products, adding value to your purchase. 

5.What makes your battery different from others in terms of design and engineering? Make sure the product has UL2580 certification and at least an IP67 rating.The battery is protected from vibration, water, and dust, which can extend its life.Ensure that the battery is embedded and modular.

6. How does the battery move the damaging heat it generates away from the cells? Because heat sinks are easy to make and add on, most manufacturers use them. However, heat sinks should not be the only method of heat management.A well-designed battery reduces heat generation and allows for natural cooling.Boosting efficiency, improving safety, and extending battery life requires more engineering expertise.  

7.What is the range of your battery? With 43 standard modules for lithium batteries of different capacities developed by BSLBATT, OEMs can build forklift battery compartments in parallel.Modules can be stacked up to 20 high in parallel, and the capacity can be customized to meet the needs of forklift OEMs.It’s also important to note that OEMs should check usable capacity, not advertised capacity.The stated capacity may be based on the sum of the individual cells within the battery, which does not consider internal losses, such as usable capacity.The best way to understand a battery’s usable range is through real-world test results and customer testimonials.The MHE batteries are high-capacity, high-current, and relatively low-voltage.

8.Does your battery have any safety features? One of the most stable lithium-ion battery chemistries is lithium-iron-phosphate.Make sure the BMS has several levels of safety redundancy.If one level fails, another will step in, catch the issue, and turn off the battery, protecting you and your property.Find out if the company is UL-certified.Does the manufacturer rely solely on the UL listing of the cell provider or is the entire pack UL-certified? Forklift lithium batteries from BSLBATT have been certified under UL2580 for the first time in China. 

Battery stocking solely based on price can negatively impact your bottom line.Compare the experience, support services, and products of different manufacturers.Making the right decision can make a big difference in your sales, service, and customer satisfaction.

BSLBATT -Your trust OEM Lithium-Ion Battery Supplier in China

BSLBATT battery has owned 10 years OEM battery pack experience for Material Handling, Paper and Packaging, Food and Beverage, Refrigerated Storage, Manufacturing Industry, Fresh Produce, Wine Industry, Distribution and 3PL industries application.

What makes the BSLBATT the Superior Lithium Battery for your Motive Power needs? The answer is quality at every step. The BSLBATT Battery has been validated to over 60 industry quality and safety checks. It has multiple layers of monitoring, safety, and backup redundancies both in the module and complete unit. The battery is designed and assembled in China., and its assembly facilities meet the stringent ISO 9001:2015 certification standards. In addition, BSLBATT is the first forklift lithium battery in China to obtain UL2580 certification for its complete product line. Maximum and safe transfer of energy is conducted through flexible copper busbar cabling. 

Higher quality level than your expectation, our professional engineering all-around evaluate your OEM battery pack solution. We put OEM battery pack working performance first, then choose the suitable Square Aluminum Shell Lithium Iron Phosphate Cell, BMS design, and battery technology.

100% satisfaction feedback from our customers.

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