Forklift battery charger

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GlennG

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Hicksville, NY
I have a customer who purchased a used forklift battery charger. There is no paperwork for the unit, and can't seem to find any on manufactures website. The 208 volt input has a max amp rating of 35.6 amps on the nameplate. I called the manufacturer and gave them the info for the charger and i asked them the recommended OCP size, the tech on the phone told me that it requires a minimum 45 amp breaker, or a 50 if i want. DOes that sound right to anyone? If this was a motor i wouldn't question it, but a battery charger? I have never hooked up a piece of equipment like this before, any input would be helpful. Thanks in advance.
 
Sounds right to me. Charging stations for electric cars are assumed to be full duty cycle, and the supply circuits are sized to 125% of the load. I would assume that a forklift would be no different.

35.6A x 125% = 44.5A
 
Battery charger = transformer

Battery charger = transformer

A battery charger is basically a transformer/rectifier. 125% of rated current is to allow for the in-rush of current during the magnetic stabilization between the primary and secondary coils of the core.
 
DrSparks said:
A battery charger is basically a transformer/rectifier. 125% of rated current is to allow for the in-rush of current during the magnetic stabilization between the primary and secondary coils of the core.
Click to expand...
Many chargers nowadays are going to switched-mode power supplies. Club Car golf carts still use transformers, Yamaha uses SMPS, both are 48V lead-acid. Most electric cars use SMPS for the onboard charger since a transformer would add significant weight.
 
The model I have is slightly older, it looks like a small transformer more or less on the inside and out. It's right next to the panel, so difference in material is minimal. The main thing was I wanted to make sure the unit hAs the right size protection.
 
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