Battery Pogo Style Cable Retractors vs. Magnetic Cable Mounts

As every warehouse manager knows, cable management is a critical consideration in the forklift battery room. Charger cables can present hazards for vehicles and foot traffic — and vehicles can easily damage cables, reducing the lifespan of expensive equipment. Without cable management, charger cables will be bent, kinked, and pinched more often than necessary. By keeping the cables suspended when they aren’t in use, you can ensure a safer, more efficient operation. 

Ideally, cable management systems should be simple, reliable, and foolproof. While there are quite a few options on the market, most fall into two categories: magnetic mounts and battery pogo-style cable retractors. Both can keep cables and travel paths safe when properly implemented. By evaluating these key factors, you can determine which option works best for your facility:

• Functionality - As the name implies, magnetic mounts use high-powered magnets to adhere to any ferrous metallic surface. The Magnetic Cable Mount from Solus Group (CR-M) can mount on a charger case, stand, or wall bracket to support 10 feet of 2/0 charger leads. When necessary, the mounts can be moved easily, and their HDPE acid-resistant clamps keep cables securely in place.

   

  Battery pogo-style cable retractors like the BHS CR-1 use a heavy-duty spring with a safety chain to keep cables suspended above the floor. By pulling the retractor arm, workers can easily connect cables to batteries while keeping a minimal amount of cable exposed. When the charging process is complete, the spring smoothly pulls the cable back into place. The CR-1 also supports 10 feet of 2/0 charger leads.

   

• Safety - Pogo cable retractors have an obvious advantage, and it’s right in the name: They retract the cable, so they’re virtually foolproof. Even if a worker is rushing through their job, the pogo-style cable retractor will ensure proper cable management.

   

  In larger battery rooms, automatic cable management is extraordinarily helpful. Managers don’t need to constantly check to ensure that cables have been mounted properly, and many workers prefer the convenience of a retractor. Still, magnetic mounts only require a bit more attention to function properly.

   

• Cost - Magnetic cable mounts are slightly less expensive than cable retractor systems and easier to install and move. As such, magnetic mounts might be a better choice for an operation with a limited lift truck fleet.

   

  Since magnetic mounts don’t have moving components, they’re also less likely to need maintenance or replacement — though this is a minor concern, as modern pogo-style retractors utilize high-quality materials to ensure long operative lifespans.

   

The bottom line: Battery pogo-style cable retractors are ideal for most fleets, but magnetic mounts are a useful alternative with simpler functionality. Both are extremely affordable, especially when compared to the cost of early battery charger cable replacement. Ultimately, as long as your operation invests in quality cable management products, you’ll reduce the chances of cable damage, extend the life of your equipment, and keep your workers safe.