How Long Does a Forklift Battery Last?
To make certain that valuable units of electric forklift batteries would last, you should carry out proper care and maintenance. These industrial grade batteries are really heavy, expensive and large. The more efficient the battery, the more effective your machine operators could be. Extending the life span of the battery is truly a top priority, not just because of the cost of replacement, but also because of the cost of down time associated with battery problems.
Charging Cycles
Keep in mind that you could only recharge forklift batteries when they are at least 80% discharged. The discharge rate differs depending upon different factors such as the average load weight, the number of shifts being worked and the number of hours the forklift is being utilized. For busy operations, nightly charging may be needed. Nonetheless, don't forget that charging a battery very frequently will wear the battery more quickly.
Life Span
Brand new forklift batteries are typically built to last 1,500 charge cycles at minimum. Thus, if the battery is being charged daily, the battery will last roughly five years. Nonetheless, this is an average estimation. The battery life span could be extended significantly beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with correct maintenance.
Deep Discharge
Make sure that the forklift battery is never discharged totally. Not only can damage to the battery be caused by what is called "deep discharge", the electrical parts and motor of the forklift can sustain damage too. This is because the battery which is damaged can alter the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the battery charger to communicate properly with the battery can be compromised too. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised battery charger could not fully charge the battery, causing a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician may be required to return the battery charger to good working condition.