All ‘charged up’: Anderson Power Products connectors boost battery performance
Various industrial sectors in South Africa – including the materials handling equipment sector – rely on machinery and industrial vehicles for swift, safe and cost-efficient operations.
This machinery is mainly powered by long-lasting internal combustion engines; as well as standard-issue lead-acid batteries – and the increasingly popular lithium-ion batteries – which need to be charged regularly, or exchanged for new battery packs to ensure operational continuity.
Battery performance in applications such as battery charging, connects and disconnects between the machines and batteries, communications and monitoring, can however be enhanced through the additional use of upper and lower pilot auxiliaries contacts on Euro battery connectors.
To this end, 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 Alexander and Poole’s Managing Director Andrew Poole.
Juanita Fisher-Hill, National Sales Manager for Alexander and Poole and 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 amps.
“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 lithium-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 lithium-ion powered forklifts is therefore on the rise, partly as a result of the benefits associated with lithium-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 lithium-ion.
Fisher-Hill explains that the APP connectors and auxiliary accessories are therefore suitable for applications where lithium-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.
To this end, Alexander and Poole supplies the APP Euro DIN ‘E’ series Industrial 2-way battery fast-charge connector; as well as the SB range 50 amp – 350 amp, SBE 160 – 320 amp and SBX 350 amp connector solutions with auxiliary kit accessories available in numerous colours, Fisher-Hill says. She adds that all the components for a complete connector can be packaged and supplied according to customers’ requirements.
“Alexander and Poole, as the designated sole distributor for Anderson Power Products in Southern Africa and its local representative, has an intensive focus and drive to offer these products – which achieve the highest levels of durability, quality and reliability, as well as ensuring long-term safety to industry,” she emphasises.
Poole agrees, adding that: “The APP product portfolio which we provide 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 (Pty) Ltd in 1980 and began representing APP in South Africa.”
A reputable and preferred power products supplier to the local and pan-African industry for over 40 years, Alexander and Poole has always focused on supplying exclusively APP connector solutions.
“Drawing on the efficient collaboration between Alexander and Poole and APP, we will continue to further develop this excellent partnership, while increasing mutual market share in South Africa, servicing a broader range of primary markets,” says Poole.
Supporting these efforts is Alexander and Poole’s reputation as a trusted provider of electrical connectors, complemented by their in-depth and comprehensive knowledge of APP products, sound and reliable stock availability, short lead times, and exceptional technical and service support.
Moreover, with a local, easily accessible footprint and based in Johannesburg, Gauteng, Alexander and Poole can easily source and deliver solutions to customers across Southern Africa and Africa.
“Through this quality offering, Alexander and Poole ensures that customers can source authentic and premium quality, yet also cost-competitive APP products suited to their requirements when necessary.
“For all market sectors requiring Anderson Power Products to ‘charge up’ their industrial application, Alexander and Poole is right on our South African customers’ doorstep as a local supplier – you only need to call us to ‘connect with the best’,” Poole concludes.
Website: www.poole.co.za
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