How Long Does a Forklift Battery Really Last?
To make certain that expensive units of electric forklift batteries would last, you must perform proper care and maintenance. These industrial grade batteries are expensive, large and heavy. The more efficient the battery, the more effective your equipment operators can be. Extending the battery life span is truly a main concern, not just because of the cost of replacement, but also because of the cost of down time associated with battery problems.
Charging Cycles
batteries of forklifts should be recharged just when they are at least 80% discharged. The rate of discharge differs depending upon various things such as the number of shifts being worked, how many hours the forklift is being used, and the average load weight. For busy operations, charging nightly may be needed. However, remember that charging a battery very frequently would wear the battery a lot faster.
Life Span
Typically, a new forklift battery will last at least 1,500 charge cycles. Hence, if the battery is being charged every day, the battery will last roughly five years. However, this is an average estimate. The life of the battery could be extended a lot beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with correct maintenance.
Deep Discharge
Make certain that the forklift battery is never discharged completely. Not only can damage to the battery be caused by what is called "deep discharge", the forklift's electrical components and motor can also sustain damage. 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 communicate properly with the battery can be compromised too. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised battery charger will be unable to completely charge the battery, causing a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician might be required to return the battery charger to good working condition.