How Long Does a Forklift Battery Really Last?
To make sure that valuable units of electric forklift batteries would last, you must carry out correct care and maintenance. These industrial grade batteries are very heavy, expensive and large. The more efficient the battery, the more productive your machine operators could be. Extending the life span of the battery is really a top priority, not only because of the cost of replacement, but also because of the expense of down time connected with battery issues.
Charging Cycles
Remember that you could only recharge forklift batteries when they are at least 80 percent discharged. The discharge rate differs depending upon various things such as the average weight of loads, the number of shifts being worked and the number of hours the forklift is being used. For busy operations, nightly charging may be required. However, remember 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. Hence, if the forklift battery is being charged on a daily basis, the battery would last about five years. However, this is an average estimation. The life of the battery could be extended significantly beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with correct maintenance.
Deep Discharge
Make certain that the forklift battery is never discharged totally. Not only can damage to the battery result from what is referred to as a "deep discharge", the electrical components 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 properly communicate with the forklift battery could also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised charger could not charge the forklift battery completely, leading to a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician might be needed to return the battery charger to proper working order.