How Long Does a Forklift Battery Really Last?
To be able to make certain that expensive units of electric forklift batteries would last, 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 main concern, not just because of the cost of replacement, but also because of the cost of down time connected with battery issues.
Charging Cycles
batteries of forklifts should be recharged only when they are at least 80% discharged. The discharge rate differs depending on different things like the average load weight, the number of shifts being worked and how many hours the forklift is being operated. For busy operations, charging every night may be required. However, don't forget that charging a battery too often will wear the battery more quickly.
Life Span
New forklift batteries are usually made to last 1,500 charge cycles at least. Hence, if the battery is being charged on a daily basis, the battery will last approximately five years. However, this is an average estimate. The life span of the battery could 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 electrical components and motor of the forklift can sustain damage also. This is because the damaged battery could alter the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the battery charger to communicate properly with the battery could be compromised as well. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised battery charger would be unable to fully charge the battery, causing a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician may be required to return the battery charger to proper working condition.