How Long Does a Forklift Battery Actually Last?
Batteries of electric forklifts are valuable units that need proper care and maintenance to ensure a long life. These industrial grade batteries are costly, large and heavy. 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 cost of replacement, but also because of the expense of down time connected with battery issues.
Charging Cycles
Bear in mind that you can just recharge batteries of forklifts when they are at least 80% discharged. The rate of discharge differs depending upon various things like for instance the number of shifts being worked, how many hours the forklift is being used, and the average weight of loads. For busy operations, nightly charging might be required. Nevertheless, remember that charging a battery too frequently would wear the battery a lot faster.
Life Span
Brand new forklift batteries are usually made to last 1,500 charge cycles at least. Hence, if the forklift battery is being charged daily, the battery would last around five years. Nevertheless, this is an average estimate. The battery life span could be extended significantly beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with correct maintenance.
Deep Discharge
Make certain that the battery of the forklift is never discharged totally. Not only can damage to the battery result from what is called "deep discharge", the forklift's electrical components and motor 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 properly communicate with the forklift battery can be compromised also. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised charger would be unable to fully charge the battery, causing a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician might be required to return the battery charger to proper working condition.