Charging 36v Forklift battery with golf cart type charger

[PowerstrokeNC]

I know several guys on here have pretty good forklift knowledge, but wasn't sure where to start this thread...

So I recently acquired a used 36v Forklift. It has no charger, plus most I am finding in a very short search online have been 3-phase.

So was wondering, could I get away with charging the battery with a smaller 36v charger, like a G-Cart type? Something that is pushing out say 20-30 amps.

I know it would take much longer to charge due to the capacity of the forklift battery, but would it work?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Ferroequinologist]

It will work, but slowly. I charge my 36volt set of locomotive batteries with a golf cart charger.

 

[PowerstrokeNC]

Thanks Ferro, I was hoping it would.

 

[swbradley1]

Depending on the charger it may not charge dead batteries. Our EZ-Go charger has a relay in it that will only turn the juice on to the plug IF the batteries already have a charge. (This would be great if MV alternators did the same thing as it would prevent a lot of smoking alternators.)

Our EZ-Go also uses 6V batteries, 3 in series in series with another bank of 3 in series. (Yes, 6 batteries in series.)


Even golf cart charger are kind of pricey for me.

 

[PowerstrokeNC]

I hopefully can find a charger for about $100. Dead battery issue might be a problem, but maybe I can charge individual banks to get enough to have charger take over at 36v.

 

[zout]

I just threw an almost new one away in the scrap heap and hauled away that was a forklift charger system - no one wanted it or could sell it. I hate it when I find out stuff like this I want after the fact - sorry

 

[glassk]

I hopefully can find a charger for about $100. Dead battery issue might be a problem, but maybe I can charge individual banks to get enough to have charger take over at 36v.

Usually the charger for carts has a third wire in the cable, the on board controller will ground that wire , which enables the charger relay,

http://www.lesterelectrical.com/service/knowledgebase/troubleshootingguide.pdf


That is a charger troubleshooting guide, will give you an idea of the operation for carts,