Work Vehicle Battery System - Hybrid Bucket Truck

The ‘bucket’ or aerial device of most hybrid bucket trucks is powered by a separate bank of ‘auxiliary’ batteries, which will be deep cycled regularly. The battery system also powers exportable power (inverters), and some cases, provides power for engine off-cab comfort systems. The batteries are charged by the alternator, in addition to, but after the starter batteries have been charged. The battery system is recharged by plugging a battery charger (or inverter-charger) into shore power. House batteries need to support the surge current of the inverter during load startup. State of Charge (SOC) monitoring will be beneficial to the operator.

The starting batteries for work vehicles must consistently deliver high cold cranking amps, operate in high and low temps and withstand road vibration. With the engine off, high-cycle reserve capacity is required to support dashboard electronics and GPS. The alternator is the sole charging source for the starting batteries.

Lead-acid battery failure is most commonly caused by acid stratification, extreme temperatures and destructive vibration. Acid stratification naturally occurs in flooded lead-acid batteries and leads to a decline in capacity and charge acceptance. AGM technology and acid mixing technology for flooded lead-acid starting batteries will mitigate acid stratification. AGM technology, or equalization charging by the charger for flooded lead-acid Deep Cycle batteries, will mitigate acid stratification.