Flux Power Introduces Line of Advanced Lithium Battery Packs for Material Handling Equipment

Flux Power® Holdings, Inc. has introduced the first product in its new line of LiFT™ Pack solutions. The LiFTâ„¢ Pack 250Ahe-24V* is an advanced lithium battery pack that is proven to outperform and outlast premium lead-acid batteries. Based on soft-packed, electrolyte-starved LiFePO4 rechargeable pouch cell technology, the LiFT Pack 250Ahe-24V is ideal for large energy storage systems used in the material handling equipment industry.

This 24V LiFT Pack was designed specifically for the material handling lift equipment market. In particular, the LiFT Pack 250Ahe-24V was developed for Class III lift trucks, known as "walkies." This class of equipment is typically used for moving pallets either in a distribution center, or on and off of delivery trucks. The pack has been sized dimensionally so that it will fit a broad range of walkie manufacturer battery enclosure sizes and, as a result, is designed as a universal application. The first pilot production units of the LiFT Pack are slated for use in walkies for food and beverage distribution centers.

"The LiFT Pack product line lasts much longer than a typical lead-acid battery, which means fewer battery replacements are needed over the life of the equipment, resulting in a much reduced cost of ownership for our customers. Our battery pack is also equipped with a dripless sealed cell technology that eliminates acid exposure and the threat of damage to the facility, the equipment, and the staff. As a result, watering batteries is a thing of the past with our new LiFT Packs. The time once spent servicing batteries can be redirected to other critical tasks, increasing our customer's productivity and reducing maintenance costs," said Chris Anthony, CEO of Flux Power.

"What we have developed is a state-of-the-art battery pack that performs better and lasts many times longer than premium lead-acid batteries, is virtually maintenance-free, and costs our customers substantially less over time,” said Anthony. "I am excited about the huge market opportunity. Recent research from World Industrial Truck Statistics (WITS) indicates that the number of Class III walkies sold in the U.S. in 2011 was more than 60,000 and worldwide, that number is more than 250,000, with several times that number available for upgrade in the field," added Anthony.

The key feature enabling such dramatic cost efficiency over lead-acid is Flux Power's patent-pending Battery Management System (BMS), which constantly monitors cell voltage, temperature and balance. The BMS then computes the battery pack's charging status and health, and controls major system components used in charging and discharging the battery pack. This precise control results in a battery that lasts many times longer than a premium lead-acid battery—delivering more than 2,000 cycles at 80% depth of discharge. With the LiFT Pack 250Ahe-24V, customers require fewer battery replacements, saving money and achieving a lower cost of ownership.