Roger Clark talks about batteries as if they are alive – and he wants them to live a productive, long life.
The general manager of Battery Test Equipment Company sees its MCBA model battery tester like a checkup at the doctor or dentist, preventive care to help avoid bigger problems later.
But just as people put off those appointments, battery owners often put off testing because it is laborious and expensive.
“Normally people test when the battery shows signs of problems. That’s like doing an autopsy,” Clark said. “Above all, it’s a preventive maintenance program. This system is merely the tool to take charge of your batteries instead of the other way around.”
The test detects problems at the earliest possible stage – like when one cell is dead – instead of waiting as the battery loses more power, more cells and holds a charge for less time.
Each time a driver has to change a battery it’s a 15-minute work stoppage, Clark said. If they have to change batteries several times a shift, “that’s a huge inefficiency. That driver is supposed to be on the floor,” he said.
Recharging short-run batteries is often a drain on electricity and ruins the green initiative. And if batteries don’t last a shift, a warehouse needs more batteries on hand to get through the day.
“Most facilities I visit are getting half-performance from many of their motive batteries,” Clark said. ”But you don’t have to settle for lazy batteries. We believe batteries can and should be held to a higher standard of performance.”
Battery Test Equipment’s MCBA system pays for itself within a year in most cases, Clark said. The tester removes 90 percent of the labor from the testing process, he said. A technician can set up the test in about 10 minutes, and then do other things while it is running. It creates a precise and accurate track record of each battery and every cell within each battery.
“It is an independent look by the user at the true condition of that battery,” he said. “It identifies failing cells and batteries before they let you down, for greatly improved battery life and battery management. It provides ‘no guesswork’ budgeting, tests multiple batteries simultaneously, plus provides much better customer service to those customers who rent or purchase lift trucks with validated batteries.”
Battery Test’s system is sort of like a stress test.
“We want you to test the good, the bad and the ugly,” including the old and the new, Clark said. If a customer detects a bad cell on a newer battery, they can use the warranty to correct it.
“Our customers get very assertive on battery warranty enforcement,” he said. “Their objective is to get the battery to last way beyond warranty.”
The system can extend battery life 30-40 percent, offers cell cannibalization opportunities and extended run times. It also saves wear and tear and related maintenance on lift trucks from running on failing batteries. And it can save 25-30 percent on electricity battery charging expense.
The tester is used by mid- to large-distribution and manufacturing centers, lift-truck dealers, battery vendors and airline and railroad support facilities.
After 25 years in management with major food and confection manufacturers in customer service, distribution and marketing, Clark “immediately recognized the need, application and quick payback of these unique systems in the distribution and material handling world. In fact, some of our best references are from major distribution facilities.”
And with more than 20 employees, the company plans to stay in its location on Main Street in Nazareth, Penn., a small town in the Lehigh Valley.
“All our systems are made in the USA. That’s big to us,” Clark said.
Mary Glindinning is a freelance writer who has worked at daily and weekly newspapers for more than 20 years. She lives in rural Schullsburg, Wis. You may contact her by e-mailing editorial@mhwmag.com.
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