How Long Does a Forklift Battery Truly Last?
To be able to make certain that valuable units of electric forklift batteries will last, you should carry out correct maintenance and care. These industrial grade batteries are heavy, costly and large. The more efficient the battery, the more effective your equipment operators could be. Extending the life span of the battery is truly a top priority, not only because of the replacement cost, but also because of the expense of down time connected with battery issues.
Charging Cycles
Bear in mind that you could just recharge forklift batteries when they are at least 80 percent discharged. The rate of discharge differs 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, charging every night might be required. Nevertheless, keep in mind that charging a battery too frequently would wear the battery more quickly.
Life Span
Commonly, a new forklift battery would last at least 1,500 charge cycles. Thus, if the forklift battery is being charged on a daily basis, the battery would last approximately five years. Nonetheless, this is an average estimate. 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 battery of the forklift is never discharged completely. Not only can damage to the battery result from what is called "deep discharge", the electrical parts and motor of the forklift 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 can be compromised too. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised charger will be unable to completely charge the forklift battery, causing a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician might be needed to return the charger to good working order.