How Long Does a Forklift Battery Actually Last?
To be able to make certain that valuable units of electric forklift batteries will have long life, you should carry out correct care and maintenance. These industrial grade batteries are really large, heavy and costly. If the battery is more efficient, the more productive 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 connected with battery issues.
Charging Cycles
batteries of forklifts must be recharged only when they are at least 80 percent discharged. The discharge rate varies depending on various factors such as the number of shifts being worked, how many hours the forklift is being operated, and the average load weight. For busy operations, charging every night might be needed. Nonetheless, remember that charging a battery very frequently would wear the battery more quickly.
Life Span
Brand new forklift batteries are normally made to last 1,500 charge cycles at least. Thus, if the battery is being charged daily, the battery would last about five years. However, this is an average estimate. The battery life span can be extended a lot beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with correct maintenance.
Deep Discharge
A forklift battery must never be allowed to become fully discharged. Not only could damage to the battery be caused by what is known as a "deep discharge", the electrical parts and motor of the forklift could also sustain damage. This is because the damaged battery could change the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the battery charger to communicate properly with the battery could also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised charger would be unable to fully charge the battery, leading to a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician might be needed to return the battery charger to good working condition.