How Long Does a Forklift Battery Truly Last?
To be able to make certain that valuable units of electric forklift batteries would last, you must carry out proper care and maintenance. These industrial grade batteries are really large, heavy and costly. The more efficient the battery, the more productive your machine operators could be. Extending the life span of the battery is truly a main concern, not just because of the replacement cost, but also because of the cost of down time connected with battery problems.
Charging Cycles
Forklift batteries must be recharged only when they are at least 80 percent discharged. The rate of discharge varies depending on different factors 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 might be needed. Nonetheless, remember that charging a battery too frequently would wear the battery more quickly.
Life Span
New forklift batteries are typically made to last 1,500 charge cycles at least. Hence, if the battery is being charged every day, the battery would last approximately five years. Nevertheless, this is an average estimation. The life of the battery can be extended a lot beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with correct maintenance.
Deep Discharge
Make sure that the forklift battery is never discharged completely. Not only could damage to the battery be caused by what is referred to as a "deep discharge", the electrical components and motor of the forklift can also sustain damage. This is because the damaged battery can change the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the charger to communicate properly with the battery can be compromised as well. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised charger can not charge the battery completely, causing a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician might be required to return the charger to proper working order.