How Long Does a Forklift Battery Truly Last?
Batteries of electric forklifts are valuable units that need correct maintenance and care to guarantee a long life. These industrial grade batteries are very large, heavy and expensive. If the battery is more efficient, the more effective your equipment operators could be. Extending the life span of the battery is really a top priority, not just because of the cost of replacement, but also because of the expense of down time connected with battery issues.
Charging Cycles
batteries of forklifts should be recharged only when they are at least 80% discharged. The rate of discharge varies depending on different things like for instance the number of shifts being worked, how many hours the forklift is being used, and the average weight of loads. For busy operations, charging every night might be required. However, bear in mind that charging a battery very frequently will wear the battery a lot faster.
Life Span
Commonly, a brand new forklift battery will last at least 1,500 charge cycles. Thus, if the battery is being charged on a daily basis, the battery will last about five years. Nonetheless, this is an average estimate. The battery life span can be extended a lot beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with correct maintenance.
Deep Discharge
Make sure that the battery of the forklift is never discharged totally. Not only could damage to the battery be caused by what is known as a "deep discharge", the electrical parts and motor of the forklift can also sustain damage. This is because the damaged battery could alter the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the charger to communicate properly with the battery can also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised battery charger can not completely charge the battery, causing a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician might be required to return the charger to good working condition.