Multi bay charging stations - more expensive or cheaper?

Charging batteries is an everyday activity these days, both at home and at work. However, very few people think about the complex processes behind charging. Especially with intensively used cordless tools in industrial areas, it is important to take a closer look at the battery and the charging process to ensure that everything works safely and efficiently.

Battery tools are usually supplied with model-specific and cost-effective chargers. These chargers are designed to charge the respective battery type simply and quickly, often without comprehensive charging logic or monitoring functions. The charge status is usually only roughly indicated, for example as „partially charged“, „charged“ or „faulty“, often by a simple LED display.

The enclosed safety data sheets provide detailed information on safety regulations, possible restrictions and important instructions for setting up the devices. This information is by no means superfluous, but extremely important! Batteries are wearing parts whose service life depends heavily on their utilisation and the charging process. Sub-optimal charging cycles during operation or high ambient temperatures during charging can significantly shorten the service life of the batteries and impair their service life.

In addition, all rechargeable batteries harbour a not inconsiderable risk potential. They react sensitively to external impacts such as knocks or falls. Defective batteries should never be reused, but are not always immediately recognisable as such. The consequences can be serious, including serious dangers such as explosion and fire hazards, as regrettably examples from the past show.

Many companies have a large number of chargers from different manufacturers, which are often improperly distributed around the workplace and in close proximity to employees. This not only increases the risk of accidents, but also makes it more difficult to comply with safety regulations. For this reason, health and safety officers and more and more insurance companies are increasingly turning their attention to this issue and looking for solutions to increase safety in the workplace.

Intelligent charging management systems or specialised charging cabinets offer a simple and effective way of ensuring order, safety and optimal charging of batteries. These systems and cabinets offer numerous advantages that go far beyond the capabilities of conventional chargers:

• They are compatible with various manufacturers, including well-known brands such as HS-Technik, Makita, Bosch, Fein, Gesipa, AtlasCopco, Cooper Power Tools, Panasonic and Desoutter.
• They utilise a special Frequency Modulation Pulse Charging® process for Li-Ion, NiCd and Ni-MH batteries, which triples the number of charging cycles and therefore significantly extends battery life.
• The batteries are gently charged up to 98% of their capacity, which maximises performance and protects the batteries.
• An in-built fan cools the batteries so that charging is also possible at temperatures of over 40 °C.
• A self-diagnosis function continuously checks the supply voltages and protects the batteries from overloading.
• The automatic battery holder recognition function makes it easy to replace the batteries without the need for a software update.
• Charging is based on specific parameters for each battery, which maximises service life, minimises wear and tear and therefore reduces investment.
• These systems ensure order and safety in the workplace.
• Charging is monitored independently of personnel, which makes the work process more efficient.
• The condition of the batteries is permanently monitored so that defective batteries can be recognised immediately and replaced before they cause damage.

Are you still charging or are you already actively managing?

Take advantage of modern charging management systems and actively contribute to safety and efficiency in your company.

And find your own definition of „expensive“. Higher Investment will bring higher battery life time (up to 3times higher charging cycles), reduced maintainace cost, lower labour costs, less Space requirement and finally higher safety for your staff and company.