How Long Does a Forklift Battery Truly 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 productive your equipment operators could be. Extending the battery life span is a top priority, not just because of the replacement cost, but also because of the cost of down time associated with battery problems.
Charging Cycles
batteries of forklifts should be recharged only when they are at least 80% discharged. The discharge rate differs depending upon various things such as the number of shifts being worked, how many hours the forklift is being utilized, and the average weight of loads. For busy operations, charging nightly might be required. Nonetheless, keep in mind that charging a battery very frequently will wear the battery more quickly.
Life Span
Brand new forklift batteries are usually built to last 1,500 charge cycles at least. Therefore, if the battery is being charged on a daily basis, the battery would last approximately five years. Nonetheless, 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 battery of the forklift should never be allowed to become completely discharged. Not only could damage to the battery result from what is called "deep discharge", the electrical parts and motor of the forklift could 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 communicate properly with the battery could be compromised also. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised battery charger will be unable to fully charge the battery, resulting in a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician might be required to return the charger to good working order.