How Long Does a Forklift Battery Last?
To be able to make sure that valuable units of electric forklift batteries will last, you should carry out proper maintenance and care. These industrial grade batteries are heavy, costly and big. If the battery is more efficient, the more productive your machine operators could be. Extending the battery life span is a top priority, not only because of the cost of replacement, but also because of the cost of down time connected with battery issues.
Charging Cycles
batteries of forklifts must be recharged just when they are at least 80 percent discharged. The rate of discharge differs depending upon various factors such as the average load weight, the number of shifts being worked and the number of hours the forklift is being used. For busy operations, nightly charging may be required. Nonetheless, bear in mind that charging a battery too often would wear the battery more quickly.
Life Span
Brand new forklift batteries are typically made to last 1,500 charge cycles at minimum. Thus, if the battery is being charged daily, the battery will last around five years. However, this is an average estimation. The battery life span 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 be caused by what is known as a "deep discharge", the forklift's electrical components and motor can sustain damage also. This is because the battery which is damaged can alter the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the charger to communicate properly with the forklift battery could also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised charger could not fully charge the forklift battery, resulting in a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician may be required to return the battery charger to proper working condition.