How Long Does a Forklift Battery Truly Last?
Batteries of electric forklifts are expensive units which need proper care and maintenance to be able to guarantee a long life. These industrial grade batteries are really expensive, big and heavy. If the battery is more efficient, the more effective your equipment operators could be. Extending the battery life span is truly a top priority, not only because of the cost of replacement, but also because of the expense of down time associated with battery problems.
Charging Cycles
Remember that you could just recharge forklift batteries when they are at least 80% discharged. The rate of discharge varies depending on various things like for example how many hours the forklift is being utilized, the average weight of loads and the number of shifts being worked. For busy operations, charging nightly might be needed. Nevertheless, bear in mind that charging a battery very often would wear the battery more quickly.
Life Span
Brand new forklift batteries are normally made to last 1,500 charge cycles at least. Hence, if the forklift battery is being charged daily, the battery will last approximately five years. However, this is an average estimate. The battery life span 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 could damage to the battery be caused by what is known as a "deep discharge", the forklift's electrical components and motor can also sustain damage. This is because the battery which is damaged can change the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the battery charger to communicate properly with the forklift battery could also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised charger can not 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 order.