How Long Does a Forklift Battery Last?
Electric forklifts batteries are valuable units that need correct maintenance and care to guarantee a long life. These industrial grade batteries are really large, heavy and expensive. The more efficient the battery, the more effective your machine operators can be. Extending the battery life span is really a top priority, not only because of the replacement cost, but also because of the expense of down time connected with battery issues.
Charging Cycles
Keep in mind that you can only recharge batteries of forklifts when they are at least 80 percent discharged. The rate of discharge varies depending upon various things like for instance the number of shifts being worked, how many hours the forklift is being operated, and the average load weight. For busy operations, nightly charging may be needed. However, don't forget that charging a battery very frequently will wear the battery a lot faster.
Life Span
New forklift batteries are typically made to last 1,500 charge cycles at least. Thus, if the battery is being charged every day, the battery would last about five years. Nevertheless, this is an average estimate. 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 completely. Not only can damage to the battery result from what is called "deep discharge", the forklift's electrical components and motor 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 properly communicate with the forklift battery can also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised battery charger could not charge the forklift battery completely, resulting in a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician may be needed to return the battery charger to good working condition.