Extend EV Mining Batteries Lifespan

You have taken a significant step towards more efficient and sustainable mining by incorporating trucks converted to 100% electric propulsion into your operation. This modernization, where NewSteel’s technology and engineering play a fundamental role, represents a smart investment. Now, the next step is to ensure that the EV mining batteries in these vehicles deliver maximum performance and have the longest possible lifespan. This guide is designed to help you do just that: optimize the energy core of your electric fleet.

Optimizing Daily Performance: Your EV Mining Batteries

The battery is the central component of your electric mining truck. Its proper care and management not only extend its lifespan but also ensure operational reliability and the profitability of your conversion investment. Understanding how your daily actions impact these advanced power sources is key to getting the most out of your advanced technology.

Best Charging and Discharging Practices for Your Operational Fleet

For electric vehicles in constant mining operation, charge management is a critical routine. The modern lithium-ion batteries used in your converted trucks benefit from smart charging cycles, which are fundamental for operational continuity.

• Maintain an Optimal State of Charge (SoC): For daily use, aim to keep your batteries’ state of charge ideally between 20% and 80-90%. Consistently avoiding drops below 20% and not always charging to 100% can reduce stress on the cells and thereby extend their durability.
• Conscious and Planned Charging Speed: NewSteel’s electric trucks stand out for their rapid charging capability, allowing for up to 7 hours of continuous operation with just 1 hour of charge. To optimize both availability and battery health, this capability should be strategically integrated into the daily routine. In fact, with just three 45-minute charging cycles distributed throughout the day (ideally during scheduled breaks or shift changes), energy needs are covered. This scheduling takes up only about 8% of the time, allowing the truck to be operational 90% of the time.
• Avoid Frequent Interruptions: Whenever possible, allow planned charging cycles to complete to the desired level without frequent interruptions, as this can affect the calibration of the battery’s electronic management system.

Proper organization of charging schedules is essential. Leveraging the rapid charging capabilities of your NewSteel trucks allows for efficient equipment utilization and ensures the fleet meets its production targets without unnecessary downtime.

Temperature: A Decisive Factor in the Mining Environment

Mining operations often expose equipment to extreme temperature conditions. The batteries in these electric trucks are designed to adapt to extreme temperature and terrain conditions, operating reliably.

• Impact of Extreme Heat and Cold: Excessive heat can accelerate the degradation of the battery’s internal components. Conversely, extreme cold can temporarily reduce its efficiency and power delivery capacity. Both scenarios can shorten lifespan if not managed properly. Effective thermal management is, therefore, crucial for the lifecycle of EV mining batteries.
• Role of the Thermal Management System: Your converted electric trucks are equipped with thermal management systems for the batteries. It is crucial to ensure these systems are functioning correctly. Pay attention to any vehicle alerts related to battery temperature.
• Operational Practices: As much as possible, avoid parking vehicles for extended periods in direct sunlight in very hot climates. In extremely cold climates, it is advisable to consult recommendations for battery preconditioning if the system allows, before starting intensive operations.

Careful management of exposure to extreme temperatures ensures that the batteries maintain their capacity. Thus, they can deliver the expected autonomy and performance in the challenging mining environment, supported by their robust design.

Monitoring Systems and Proactive Maintenance for EV Mining Batteries

The electronic system that supervises and protects your truck’s battery is essential for its longevity. A proactive approach to monitoring and maintenance is key to your fleet’s reliability and the comprehensive care of your EV mining batteries.

Your Ally: The Battery Monitoring System and Routine Inspections

The battery monitoring system in your electric truck plays a vital role. It continuously supervises parameters such as voltage, current, temperature, and the overall health of the battery. This system is complemented by operational inspections.

• Active Protection: This system protects the battery against overcharging and excessive discharging. It also guards against overheating and other conditions that could damage it.
• Visual Inspections During Charging: It is excellent practice to conduct quick visual inspections during the brief 45-minute charging periods. Check the control rack, operator’s cabin, and battery panels. Also, perform a 360° visual review of the equipment. These inspections are a form of proactive monitoring.
• Operator Information: Familiarize yourself with any information or alerts the truck’s system may provide. For specific details about your truck’s monitoring system, the equipment’s technical documentation is your best reference.

The combination of the electronic protection system with the recommended visual inspections during rapid charges ensures constant supervision. This allows for early detection of potential issues, serving as a cornerstone for the reliability and durability of your equipment.

Preventive Maintenance: Key to Durability and Spectacular Savings

Converting to electric vehicles not only reduces emissions but also fundamentally transforms maintenance. An impressive maintenance saving of up to 90% is possible. This is achieved by eliminating complex, high-wear components such as diesel engines and transmission systems, thereby minimizing parts wear.

• Minimal Inspections and Planning: Maintenance is reduced to only about 2% of operational time. This includes a one-hour weekly inspection. Additionally, there is a 24-hour monthly maintenance schedule. This schedule covers software updates, reviews of potential vulnerabilities, and management of any backlog.
• Cleanliness: Keep the battery area and its connections clean. They should be free of debris that could cause problems.
• Software Updates: It is advisable to inquire about the availability of software updates. These may be for the vehicle and battery systems, improving their management and efficiency.
• Records and Tracking: Keeping a log of charging behavior and maintenance helps identify trends. It also allows for anticipating issues.

Following this minimal yet effective preventive maintenance schedule is fundamental. These practices ensure the longevity of the battery system. They are a direct factor in consolidating significant maintenance savings and the excellent operational availability that characterizes these conversions. This makes the conversion a highly profitable investment, with an estimated return period of just 6 months.

Maximizing the Benefits of Your Investment in Electric Mining Solutions

By adopting these operation and maintenance practices for your electric mining truck batteries, you will not only be protecting a vital component. You will also be optimizing your overall investment. This ensures that the multiple benefits of electrification are experienced daily. These include fuel savings of up to 80% and quieter operations (less than 20 decibels in the cabin). They also encompass emissions elimination and a contribution to the circular economy. Proactive management is the best strategy for your batteries and their associated components.

Has Your Company Not Yet Experienced Electric Transformation with NewSteel?

If your mining operation still faces the high costs and environmental impact of combustion-engine trucks, it is time to consider the electric transformation solution offered by NewSteel. The results speak for themselves:

• Accelerated Profitability: Enjoy a drastic reduction in costs. This can be up to 90% in maintenance and 80% in fuel. All this with an investment payback in as little as 6 months.
• Exceptional Productivity: Maximize your production with operational availability of up to 90%. This is thanks to the reliability of electric technology. It is complemented by efficient charging cycles that provide 7 hours of autonomy with just 1 hour of charge.
• Strategic Sustainability: Operate with zero greenhouse gas emissions. Comply with the strictest environmental regulations. Position your company as a leader in responsible mining. Furthermore, contribute to the circular economy by reusing your existing assets.
• Improved Working Environment: Provide your operators with a safer and more comfortable working environment. This is achieved with a radical reduction in noise (less than 20 decibels in the cabin).

Electric transformation with NewSteel is not just an engine change. It is a re-engineering towards efficiency, profitability, and a cleaner future. Discover how NewSteel can help you significantly transform your fleet.

To learn more about how these solutions can optimize your mining operations or to start your own fleet’s transformation, we invite you to contact our team of specialists. Also, follow us on our social media channels to stay updated on NewSteel’s latest innovations and success stories in mining: LinkedIn and Instagram. If you prefer direct communication, you can reach us via WhatsApp.