How Long Does a Forklift Battery Last?
To be able to make sure that expensive units of electric forklift batteries will last, you should perform proper maintenance and care. These industrial grade batteries are very heavy, costly and big. If the battery is more efficient, the more effective your equipment operators could be. Extending the battery life span is a main concern, not only because of the cost of replacement, 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 discharge rate differs depending on different things like for instance how many hours the forklift is being used, the average weight of loads and the number of shifts being worked. For busy operations, charging every night might be needed. Nonetheless, remember that charging a battery too frequently would wear the battery a lot faster.
Life Span
Typically, a brand new forklift battery would last at least 1,500 charge cycles. Therefore, if the battery is being charged every day, the battery will last around five years. However, this is an average estimate. The life span of the battery can be extended a lot beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with proper maintenance.
Deep Discharge
A battery of the forklift must never be allowed to become completely discharged. Not only can damage to the battery result from what is referred to as a "deep discharge", the forklift's electrical components and motor could sustain damage also. This is because the battery which is damaged could change the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the battery charger to properly communicate with the forklift battery can also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised charger could not charge the forklift battery fully, leading to a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician may be required to return the charger to proper working order.