Coldstore 

Stores to -10°C
The standard BT product specification is suitable for operation in stores to -10ºC without cold store protection. Some condensation will occur during the in-out work cycle and the truck must therefore always be parked outside the store when not in use and for charging and maintenance schedules.

In and out operation to -30°C
(in every work cycle)
This applies to warehouse trucks where virtually every work cycle involves an in-out movement. The truck will have average surface temperatures below C and by the nature of the operation condensation will form on the truck. In this “wet” condition, the truck should neither remain idle in the cold store longer than 10 minutes nor operate inside the cold store for extended periods.
 
The key point is that the condensation trust not be allowed to freeze on the truck at any time. When not in use due to operator breaks or maintenance and charging schedules, the truck must be parked outside the cold store. If you use a counterbalance truck in this type of in and out operation there is a temperature limitation of -20º C.

In and out operation to -30°C
(in split shift duties)
This applies where the truck has split shift duties and is required to work one part of the shift continuously inside the cold store which means it is a stay in operation and the remainder of the shift continuously outside the cold store in a normal ambient temperature.

The truck must be completely dry before commencing the continuous stay in part of the shift and must be parked inside the cold store for operator breaks during the stay in period of the shift. The viscosity of the oil used in this type of application to cope with the wide differences in operating temperatures will cause some reduction in truck performance during the stay in period of the shift. On leaving the cold store to begin its duties in the normal ambient temperature, condensation will form on the truck making it unsuitable for further stay in operations until it is completely dry.

Charging and maintenance schedules must be carried out in normal ambient temperatures above freezing and the truck must be completely dry before commencing another continuous stay in operation. Warm air blowers should be made available in the charging/maintenance area to assist in the drying process if necessary.

Stay in to -30°C
This applies to trucks which operate continuously inside the cold store without leaving the cold store environment at any time during its shift.

For operator breaks during the shift the truck must be parked inside the cold store. The only time the truck is taken out of the cold store is for charging and maintenance schedules to be carried out. It is then necessary to ensure that the truck is completely dry before re-entering the cold store for a stay in operation. Warm air blowers should be made available in the charging/maintenance area to assist in the drying process if necessary. 

As an alternative to removing the truck from the cold store for charging routines, we recommend that the truck is left inside the cold store while the battery is removed for charging in a normal ambient temperature above freezing. This avoids any condensation forming on the truck which is then ready for immediate use at the start of the shift. If the truck is fitted with a cab and is left in the cold store while the battery is charged outside, then the truck should be connected to a static power supply to maintain a minimum temperature within the cab. This will ensure a comfortable environment for the operator and minimise demands on the battery energy at the commencement of each shift.

Applicable to all categories 
The battery must never be left standing idle inside the cold store for long periods. Condensation must not be allowed to freeze on the track.