Forum Discussion

ironworker025's avatar
Feb 13, 2014

Battery

Has anyone ever used a forklift battery for their solar system. Thanks in advance.

4 Replies

  • A true "forklift" can lift 1,500 pounds. That type of battery is housed in an 1/8" steel containment vessel with lifting eyes. Lesser batteries like L-16, Scrubber, and GC's are also used in smaller forklifts. The different batteries have different feeding and work preferences, so a hint here about the battery type would be most useful.
  • Depends what you mean by forklift battery. I've used 8L16 batteries with great success in multiple solar installations. There really isn't any great practical difference. If you've got the room and the money use them.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    There is one major difference between a forklift battery and a golf car battery, I have used both (just not with solar systems)

    The GC-2 I can lift, in fact I can carry one with each hand if I have to.

    The Fork Lift battery... I needed a Fork Lift to lift, it is BIG, and I mean BIG.. But it did the job.

    Otherwise... Pound for pound they are identical Same chemistry, both Deep Cycle, Just very big and very heavy. Exceeds CCC of my coach in fact.
  • There is not much difference if any between a forklift battery and a golf car battery AFAIK, so the answer would be yes.

    A local forklift shop has batteries for sale for forklifts and some are the same 6s as you see everywhere. In fact the owner said he prefers T-105s because they stand up better to shock/vibration than some others he has tried.

    I am using 12v T-1275s with solar charging them, and these batteries came from a golf car, but Mex here, calls them "scrubber batteries."

    IMO the issue is not how you charge them ( solar or otherwise,) but what you are using them for as to what kind of battery is most suitable.