How Long Does a Forklift Battery Last?
To be able to make sure that expensive units of electric forklift batteries will last, you must perform correct care and maintenance. These industrial grade batteries are very large, heavy and expensive. The more efficient the battery, the more effective your machine operators could be. Extending the life span of the battery is a top priority, not just because of the cost of replacement, but also because of the cost of down time connected with battery problems.
Charging Cycles
Forklift batteries should be recharged just when they are at least 80% discharged. The discharge rate varies depending upon various things such as how many hours the forklift is being utilized, the average load weight and the number of shifts being worked. For busy operations, charging nightly might be needed. Nonetheless, remember that charging a battery very frequently would wear the battery more quickly.
Life Span
Brand new forklift batteries are normally built to last 1,500 charge cycles at least. Therefore, if the forklift battery is being charged on a daily basis, the battery would last around five years. Nevertheless, this is an average estimation. The battery life span can be extended a lot beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with correct maintenance.
Deep Discharge
Make sure that the battery of the forklift is never discharged completely. Not only could damage to the battery be caused by what is called "deep discharge", the electrical parts and motor of the forklift can also sustain damage. This is because the damaged battery could change the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the battery charger to communicate properly with the forklift battery could also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised battery charger would be unable to charge the battery fully, leading to a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician might be needed to return the charger to proper working condition.