How Long Does a Forklift Battery Last?
To make sure that expensive units of electric forklift batteries would have long life, you should carry out proper care and maintenance. These industrial grade batteries are large, heavy and costly. The more efficient the battery, the more effective your equipment operators can be. Extending the battery life span is really a top priority, not only because of the replacement cost, but also because of the expense of down time associated with battery problems.
Charging Cycles
Bear in mind that you can only recharge forklift batteries when they are at least 80% discharged. The discharge rate varies depending on various things such as the number of shifts being worked, how many hours the forklift is being utilized, and the average load weight. For busy operations, nightly charging may be needed. However, remember that charging a battery too often would wear the battery more quickly.
Life Span
Brand new forklift batteries are typically made 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 life of the battery can be extended significantly beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with correct maintenance.
Deep Discharge
Make certain that the forklift battery is never discharged fully. Not only could damage to the battery be caused by what is known as a "deep discharge", the forklift's electrical parts and motor could 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 properly communicate with the forklift battery could also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised battery charger will be unable to fully charge the forklift battery, leading to a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician might be required to return the battery charger to good working order.