How Long Does a Forklift Battery Truly Last?
To be able to make sure that expensive units of electric forklift batteries would have long life, you must carry out proper maintenance and care. These industrial grade batteries are really heavy, costly and large. The more efficient the battery, the more effective your machine operators could be. Extending the battery life span is really a top priority, not just because of the cost of replacement, but also because of the expense of down time associated with battery problems.
Charging Cycles
Forklift batteries should be recharged just when they are at least 80 percent discharged. The discharge rate differs depending upon various things like the average load weight, the number of shifts being worked and how many hours the forklift is being used. For busy operations, charging nightly might be needed. However, keep in mind that charging a battery too frequently will wear the battery a lot faster.
Life Span
Typically, a new forklift battery would last at least 1,500 charge cycles. Hence, if the forklift battery is being charged every day, the battery will last roughly five years. However, this is an average estimation. The battery life span can be extended a lot beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with correct maintenance.
Deep Discharge
A forklift battery should never be allowed to become completely discharged. Not only could damage to the battery be caused by what is known as a "deep discharge", the forklift's electrical parts and motor could also sustain damage. 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 forklift battery could be compromised as well. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised charger will be unable to fully charge the battery, leading to a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician might be needed to return the charger to good working order.