A few months ago, I mentioned a design for a solar trailer, which I'm gathering ideas on, and if I find a decent base for, may start with.A friend of mine has pointed me to a source of reconditioned forklift batteries. With a trailer that has the GVWR to handle the two tons of weight (at least two axles, and the batteries positioned between the axles for best weight distribution), those seem to be a very nice candidate for a battery bank for this project.Has anyone used forklift batteries? 1000 amp-hours at 48 volts means I can use relatively skinny wiring, and this won't be a slouch for weekend capacity. The downside is weight, but with a double-axle trailer and a TV, with their weight ratings well over what is being carried, this shouldn't be much of an issue, since this trailer only would be moved four times a year. They also require watering as well, another downside.This trailer's main function is to sit with a bunch of solar panels for weekdays, then get used on weekends. Obviously this isn't going to power an A/C without a 3000 watt or more generator, but a battery bank like this could handle a microwave, fans, televisions, and other relatively light loads for a camp of 5-6 people.

What is your plan for the solar? It's going to take a lot to recharge batteries that big. I power an A/c with a 100ah 48 Li battery and a Cotek 4kw inverter for hours.

It sounds like a fun project but in my mind 48 KWH of battery capacity is overkill. Two tons is also a lot of weight. Have you considered looking at a wrecked electric smart car or Nissan Leaf and harvesting the Lithium ion battery. The weight would be a fraction and you would still be looking at 18 to 30 Kwh of power. Higher voltages though. Literally decades of life though.

If you are going to look at something like that you may want to also look at the industrial scrubber or sweeper batteries, Batteries plus sells the Duracell units 228 a/hr for about $270 I think. Similar footprint to a group 31 but taller.

If you intend to run a roof air conditioner, 48 volts is the "way to go". The 12 volt needs can be met by using the converter and the OEM house battery. Or a 48 volt DC to 12 volt DC converter may be used. Each one of the fork lift jars has a capacity of 48,000 watts of which 24,000 may be used.That would power my roof air conditioner in HOT ambient temperatures for over 12 hours with no energy coming from the panels, without going below 50% state of charge.As someone else suggested, recharging may be an issue, particularly if you wish to equalize the bank on solar.I suspect that fork lift jars need a fair bit of power to prevent progressive capacity loss. It might cost more for a proper charger than for the batteries.

Forklift batteries for a solar trailer? | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

pianotuna
Nomad III
Sep 22, 2017
A much cheaper solution would be a generator and some long cords. If all the folks have hybrid inverter chargers then overload is probably not an issue. I would choose a 7000 watt inverter generator.

BTW I prefer to run my RV 100% electrically including heating, cooking, and water heating. Since I got my generator replaced (the last one grew wings) I've run it for 18.5 hours (July 20, 2017 to Sept 22, 2017).

ctilsie242 wrote:
I have not considered running an A/C with it, as this is more of a campsite item, where multiple people in a camp would be using this, not just me. Where this will come in handy will be in cooler weather to power things like Keurig coffee makers, microwaves, and cooking appliances, this will provide the ability to actually cook on electric without the need for a noisy generator, and with enough panel capacity, especially with five days sitting unused in Texas.

Forklift batteries have not been mentioned, just because of the bulk. However, with my use for a camp at festivals where this is a static item, it just might be my ideal for what I'm looking for. Eventually, when I can get some acreage, it also might be able to handle power for a cabin with ease.
MrWizard
Moderator
Sep 22, 2017
How much do these batteries weigh, what happens when it's time to replace them
How much money is a 48v charger cable of bringing them to full charge
Your talking about 60v for an equalize charger at how many amps

How much money for the project ?

Not saying this can't be done, you Can build this thing, but is it the best way to go

I would be inclined to use surplus Telco 12v agm batteries, instead of forklift batteries
Just put four in series 48v 132 amp hrs, they tend to be hardly used, instead of worked hard and reconditioned
2oldman
Explorer II
Sep 22, 2017
ctilsie242 wrote:
with enough panel capacity, especially with five days sitting unused in Texas.
By my calculations, 2400w of solar would charge at about 36 amps requiring 14 hours of FULL capacity charging to replenish 500ah.

That might work over 5 sunny days.
ctilsie242
Explorer II
Sep 22, 2017
I have not considered running an A/C with it, as this is more of a campsite item, where multiple people in a camp would be using this, not just me. Where this will come in handy will be in cooler weather to power things like Keurig coffee makers, microwaves, and cooking appliances, this will provide the ability to actually cook on electric without the need for a noisy generator, and with enough panel capacity, especially with five days sitting unused in Texas.

Forklift batteries have not been mentioned, just because of the bulk. However, with my use for a camp at festivals where this is a static item, it just might be my ideal for what I'm looking for. Eventually, when I can get some acreage, it also might be able to handle power for a cabin with ease.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Sep 22, 2017
If you intend to run a roof air conditioner, 48 volts is the "way to go". The 12 volt needs can be met by using the converter and the OEM house battery. Or a 48 volt DC to 12 volt DC converter may be used. Each one of the fork lift jars has a capacity of 48,000 watts of which 24,000 may be used.

That would power my roof air conditioner in HOT ambient temperatures for over 12 hours with no energy coming from the panels, without going below 50% state of charge.

As someone else suggested, recharging may be an issue, particularly if you wish to equalize the bank on solar.

I suspect that fork lift jars need a fair bit of power to prevent progressive capacity loss. It might cost more for a proper charger than for the batteries.
kerrlakeRoo
Explorer
Sep 22, 2017
If you are going to look at something like that you may want to also look at the industrial scrubber or sweeper batteries,
Batteries plus sells the Duracell units 228 a/hr for about $270 I think. Similar footprint to a group 31 but taller.
John___Angela
Explorer
Sep 22, 2017
It sounds like a fun project but in my mind 48 KWH of battery capacity is overkill. Two tons is also a lot of weight. Have you considered looking at a wrecked electric smart car or Nissan Leaf and harvesting the Lithium ion battery. The weight would be a fraction and you would still be looking at 18 to 30 Kwh of power. Higher voltages though. Literally decades of life though.
time2roll
Nomad
Sep 22, 2017
Go for it.
2oldman
Explorer II
Sep 22, 2017
What is your plan for the solar? It's going to take a lot to recharge batteries that big.

I power an A/c with a 100ah 48 Li battery and a Cotek 4kw inverter for hours.

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Forklift batteries for a solar trailer?

19 Replies

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