Aerial Lift Battery Basics

Aerial Lift Battery Basics

One of the most important tools you have on your job site might be your aerial lift, Boom Lift, Man Lift or Scissor Lift. Without your aerial work platform, you may be stuck on the ground, burning time and money while the job you need to do sits 20 feet above you. We want your lift to run from the moment you start the day, to the last movement as you put it away.

In this article, we’re going to go over the various batteries Powerstride offers for your lift, as well as what factors you can use to choose which of our batteries is best for you.

Brands

• US Battery – US Battery is a longstanding manufacturer of top-quality deep cycle batteries, and have been producing batteries for aerial lifts for over 30 years. Powerstride offers both the US Flooded and the US AGM line, and stocks the full line of batteries, for every price and performance requirement. US Battery’s flooded line is built domestically, and carries a 2 year warranty when in an aerial lift capacity. We can ship all batteries (including flooded) domestically, via ground pallet service.

• Universal Power Group – UPG exclusively manufactures AGM batteries in almost all sizes, from small batteries for alarm backup systems, all the way to heavy industrial batteries for boats, aerial lifts and forklifts. Powerstride carries the entire UPG line and can ship any battery domestically via ground pallet service.

• Lifeline – Lifeline also builds exclusively AGM batteries, and is known to have the highest quality of any AGM manufacturer. When you need the absolute best, look no further then LifeLine Battery. They are one of the only domestic producers of Deep Cycle AGM batteries, and have been building AGM batteries for heavy service, like aircraft, RVs, Boats and Aerial Lifts for many years. Powerstride carries the entire LifeLine range, and can ship to any domestic address via Ground Pallet Service.

Chemistries: Batteries for Aerial Lifts come in 3 primary types.

• Flooded – Flooded lead acid (“FLA”) batteries are the most standard and traditional type of battery for your lift. Most lifts ship with this type of battery, and it’s what was likely originally installed in your lift by the manufacturer.

Pros:

• Most affordable and readily available option for lifts
• Heavy enough to act as the counterweight in most lifts
• Onboard charger likely designed for this kind of battery

Cons:

• Not a sealed battery, and considered hazardous material, which can make transport of the aerial lift more difficult
• Requires maintenance in the form of top charging, equalization and water maintenance
• Must be recycled by a certified recycler and cannot be easily discarded

• AGM – Absorbed Glass Matt (AGM) batteries are a newer type of battery then flooded a flooded battery, with some distinct advantages. One of the biggest advantages is that these batteries are fully sealed and have no need

Pros

• Significantly more resistance to vibration then an FLA
• Sealed battery – makes transport easier as there is no fluid to leak
• Higher levels of Amp Hours and longer life
• No maintenance needed – battery is completely sealed and cannot be opened

Cons:

• May require a new charger to be properly charged
• Higher initial cost then a flooded battery
• Must be recycled by a certified recycler and cannot be easily discarded

• Lithium – WARNING: Many lifts were designed with the batteries as being part of the counterweight! Lithium batteries are significantly lighter then both AGM and FLA batteries, and are generally not recommended for use in a lift, unless the lift was specifically designed with those batteries in mind.

• US Battery Table – This table is not every battery US sells, but does include the most common aerial lift batteries. Please call us at (877) 576-9379 if you don’t see your battery listed or have any questions

Conclusions

By following these maintenance tips tailored to different types of deep cycle batteries, aerial lift operators can maximize the lifespan and reliability of their equipment, ensuring a safer and more efficient work environment.  Call Powerstride at (877) 576-9379 to discuss what battery is right for you!