How Long Does a Forklift Battery Really Last?
To make certain that expensive units of electric forklift batteries will have long life, you should perform proper maintenance and care. These industrial grade batteries are really expensive, big and heavy. The more efficient the battery, the more effective your equipment operators could be. Extending the life span of the battery is a top priority, not only because of the cost of replacement, but also because of the cost of down time associated with battery problems.
Charging Cycles
batteries of forklifts must be recharged only when they are at least 80 percent discharged. The discharge rate varies depending upon various things such as the number of hours the forklift is being operated, the average weight of loads and the number of shifts being worked. For busy operations, charging nightly may be required. Nonetheless, remember that charging a battery very frequently will wear the battery a lot faster.
Life Span
Usually, a new forklift battery would last at least 1,500 charge cycles. Therefore, if the battery is being charged every day, the battery will last roughly five years. Nevertheless, 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 sure that the forklift battery is never discharged fully. Not only can damage to the battery be caused by what is referred to as a "deep discharge", the forklift's electrical components and motor can also sustain damage. This is because the battery which is damaged could alter the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the battery charger to properly communicate with the battery can also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised battery charger would be unable to fully charge the forklift battery, leading to a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician may be needed to return the charger to good working condition.