How Long Does a Forklift Battery Really Last?
To make certain that expensive units of electric forklift batteries will last, you must perform correct care and maintenance. These industrial grade batteries are very heavy, expensive and large. If the battery is more efficient, the more productive your equipment operators can be. Extending the life span of the battery is truly a top priority, not only because of the cost of replacement, but also because of the expense of down time associated with battery problems.
Charging Cycles
batteries of forklifts should be recharged just when they are at least 80% discharged. The discharge rate differs depending upon different things like for instance the average weight of loads, the number of shifts being worked and the number of hours the forklift is being utilized. For busy operations, nightly charging may be required. However, bear in mind that charging a battery very frequently would wear the battery a lot faster.
Life Span
Commonly, a new forklift battery will last at least 1,500 charge cycles. Hence, if the forklift battery is being charged daily, the battery would last around five years. Nonetheless, this is an average estimation. The battery life span can be extended significantly beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with proper maintenance.
Deep Discharge
Make certain that the forklift battery is never discharged fully. Not only can damage to the battery be caused by what is known as a "deep discharge", the forklift's electrical components and motor could sustain damage as well. This is because the battery which is damaged can alter the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the charger to properly communicate with the battery can also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised charger could not charge the battery fully, resulting in a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician might be required to return the battery charger to good working order.