Battery performance in applications such as battery charging, connects and disconnects between the machines and batteries, communications, and monitoring, can be enhanced through the additional use of upper and lower pilot auxiliaries contacts on Euro battery connectors.
Alexander and Poole, a long-standing local electrical equipment supplier and sole distributor for the Southern African region of Anderson Power Products (APP) electrical connector solutions, offers connectors with auxiliary accessories to “charge up” battery performance in a range of industrial applications.
“Our APP connectors, with optional auxiliary kits, are suitable for applications in both lead-acid and lithium batteries, ensuring optimal battery life and sustained operations in numerous related applications,” says Andrew Poole, the company’s managing director.
Juanita Fisher-Hill, who, as the company’s national sales manager, is responsible for the sale and distribution of APP products in South Africa, agrees: “APP’s SBE and SBX-style and the DIN 43589-1-style Euro battery connectors offer robust housings and contacts; as well as four or more auxiliary contacts for applications, such as battery monitoring and charger communications.”
In addition, APP offers a mounting and locking half for a double stack of connectors, providing power up to 640 A.
“In particular, the APP Euro DIN ‘E’ Series 2-way battery fast-charge connector offers upper and lower pilot auxiliaries (and additional pins), which are increasingly being used in the lithium market to improve battery performance and battery monitoring,” adds Fisher-Hill.
As Li-ion batteries create stable, durable, and eco-friendly power solutions – offering a host of benefits around efficiency, run-time, and maintenance in comparison to their lead-acid battery predecessors – this type of battery is becoming more common in industrial applications.
“Demand for Li-ion powered forklifts is therefore on the rise, partly as a result of the benefits associated with Li-ion batteries – and partly as a result of changes in legislation, which may inevitably result in reduced use of diesel forklifts around food and beverage products,” she suggests.
The associated costs and emissions of diesel and liquefied petroleum gas forklifts are further driving the change towards Li-ion.
Fisher-Hill explains that APP connectors and auxiliary accessories are suitable for applications wherever Li-ion batteries are used: be it in electric forklifts, counterbalance trucks, reach trucks, low-level order pickers, cleaning machines and lifting platforms, telecommunications (such as communications towers), in wind generation, in uninterruptible power supply sources and in the solar energy sector, such as at solar power farms.
The company also supplies APP’s SB range of 50 to 350 A, SBE 160 to 320 A, and SBX 350 A connector solutions with auxiliary kit accessories available in numerous colours. All components for a complete connector can be packaged and supplied according to customers’ requirements.
Poole says the APP product portfolio which the company provides locally is underpinned by the long-standing, loyal and dynamic relationship between APP and Alexander and Poole – fostered since John Poole founded Poole Engineering Products in 1980 and began representing APP in South Africa.
Contact Alexander and Poole, Tel 011 902-0188, poole@global.co.za
