How Long Does a Forklift Battery Last?
Batteries of electric forklifts are valuable units which need correct maintenance and care to ensure a long life. These industrial grade batteries are very large, heavy and costly. The more efficient the battery, the more effective your machine operators can be. Extending the battery life span is a top priority, not just because of the cost of replacement, but also because of the cost of down time connected with battery problems.
Charging Cycles
batteries of forklifts must be recharged just when they are at least 80% discharged. The rate of discharge differs depending on various things such as the number of shifts being worked, how many hours the forklift is being used, and the average load weight. For busy operations, charging nightly may be needed. Nevertheless, bear in mind that charging a battery very frequently would wear the battery a lot faster.
Life Span
Brand new forklift batteries are usually made to last 1,500 charge cycles at least. Therefore, if the forklift battery is being charged daily, the battery will last around five years. Nonetheless, this is an average estimation. The battery life span could be extended significantly beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with correct maintenance.
Deep Discharge
Make sure that the battery of the forklift is never discharged fully. Not only can damage to the battery be caused by what is known as a "deep discharge", the forklift's electrical parts and motor could sustain damage too. 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 battery can also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised charger would be unable to charge the battery completely, leading to a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician might be needed to return the charger to good working condition.