How Long Does a Forklift Battery Last?
To make certain that valuable units of electric forklift batteries will have long life, you must perform proper care and maintenance. These industrial grade batteries are really large, heavy and costly. If the battery is more efficient, the more effective your equipment operators can 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 connected with battery issues.
Charging Cycles
Bear in mind that you can just recharge forklift batteries when they are at least 80 percent discharged. The rate of discharge varies depending on different factors such as the number of shifts being worked, the number of hours the forklift is being operated, and the average load weight. For busy operations, nightly charging may be required. Nevertheless, don't forget that charging a battery very frequently would wear the battery a lot faster.
Life Span
New forklift batteries are typically built to last 1,500 charge cycles at least. Hence, if the forklift battery is being charged on a daily basis, the battery will last roughly five years. Nevertheless, this is an average estimate. The battery life span could 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 completely. Not only could damage to the battery result from what is called "deep discharge", the electrical components and motor of the forklift can sustain damage too. 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 forklift battery could also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised battery charger can not charge the battery fully, leading to a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician might be required to return the battery charger to proper working condition.