How Long Does a Forklift Battery Last?
To be able to make sure that valuable units of electric forklift batteries would last, you must perform proper care and maintenance. These industrial grade batteries are large, heavy and costly. The more efficient the battery, the more effective your equipment operators could be. Extending the battery life span is a top priority, not just because of the cost of replacement, but also because of the expense of down time connected with battery issues.
Charging Cycles
batteries of forklifts should be recharged just when they are at least 80 percent discharged. The rate of discharge varies depending on various things like the number of shifts being worked, how many hours the forklift is being operated, and the average load weight. For busy operations, charging nightly may be needed. Nonetheless, remember that charging a battery very often would wear the battery more quickly.
Life Span
Brand new forklift batteries are usually made to last 1,500 charge cycles at least. Hence, if the forklift battery is being charged daily, the battery would last about five years. Nevertheless, this is an average estimate. The life span of the battery can be extended significantly beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with correct maintenance.
Deep Discharge
A forklift battery should never be allowed to become totally discharged. Not only could damage to the battery be caused by what is called "deep discharge", the forklift's electrical parts and motor can sustain damage as well. This is because the battery that is damaged could alter the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the charger to properly communicate with the forklift battery could be compromised also. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised battery charger will be unable to charge the forklift battery fully, leading to a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician might be needed to return the charger to good working condition.