Forklift Battery Safe Installation and Charging
Lift truck batteries are fairly large and are really pricey pieces of machines. They weigh thousands of pounds. The task of installing and charging these batteries is something that must be really planned out in advanced so as to make certain that these methods could be done safely and properly. Maintaining proper handling and a sound charging method could majorly increase the battery's standard life span.
Standard Charging
It is vital not to connect the battery to the charger until it is at 20% capacity or lower. By charging the battery when it is higher than 20 percent, the lifespan of the battery could actually be shortened. On roughly every 5th charge cycle, the charger needs to be set on the weekend or equalize setting, depending on what type of charger you are using.
The charging cycle should never be interrupted. As soon as the charge cycle is done, you should avoid using the battery for a few hours. By practicing these procedures, you could help ensure that you get the maximum battery performance available.
Charger Maintenance
Make sure the charger is turned off before hooking up the battery to the charger. You then could connect the charger to the battery. This is a common error which can inadvertently cause damage to both the forklift and the charger. Furthermore, it is very vital that the amperage of the battery must match that of the charger.
The battery should never be allowed to completely discharge or deep discharge. This would ultimately shorten the lift of the battery and may even prevent the charger from being able to activate. If the battery charger reads that there is no activity in the battery, it will not start the charge cycle. If this situation occurs, a technician will need to be called to be able to re-set the charger prior to charge being able to start.