How Long Does a Forklift Battery Last?
Batteries of electric forklifts are expensive units that require correct maintenance and care to guarantee a long life. These industrial grade batteries are heavy, expensive and big. If the battery is more efficient, the more effective your machine operators could be. Extending the life span of the battery is truly a top priority, not just because of the replacement cost, but also because of the cost of down time connected with battery problems.
Charging Cycles
Forklift batteries should be recharged only when they are at least 80 percent discharged. The discharge rate differs depending upon different factors like the number of shifts being worked, the number of hours the forklift is being used, and the average load weight. For busy operations, nightly charging may be required. Nonetheless, keep in mind that charging a battery too often would wear the battery more quickly.
Life Span
Usually, a new forklift battery would last at least 1,500 charge cycles. Hence, if the battery is being charged on a daily basis, the battery will last roughly five years. Nonetheless, this is an average estimation. The life of the battery could be extended a lot beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with correct maintenance.
Deep Discharge
Make certain that the battery of the forklift is never discharged totally. Not only can damage to the battery result from what is called "deep discharge", the forklift's electrical components and motor 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 battery 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, resulting in a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician might be required to return the battery charger to proper working order.