How Long Does a Forklift Battery Truly Last?
Batteries of electric forklifts are expensive units which need proper maintenance and care to guarantee a long life. These industrial grade batteries are expensive, large and heavy. The more efficient the battery, the more effective your machine operators could be. Extending the battery life span is a main concern, not only because of the cost of replacement, but also because of the expense of down time associated with battery issues.
Charging Cycles
Forklift batteries should be recharged only when they are at least 80 percent discharged. The rate of discharge differs depending upon various factors like for instance the average weight of loads, the number of shifts being worked and how many hours the forklift is being utilized. For busy operations, charging nightly may be required. Nevertheless, don't forget that charging a battery too often would wear the battery more quickly.
Life Span
Typically, a new forklift battery would last at least 1,500 charge cycles. Therefore, if the forklift battery is being charged daily, the battery will last around five years. Nonetheless, this is an average estimation. The life of the battery can be extended significantly beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with correct maintenance.
Deep Discharge
A battery of the forklift must never be allowed to become fully discharged. Not only could damage to the battery result from what is referred to as a "deep discharge", the forklift's electrical parts and motor can also sustain damage. This is because the damaged battery could change the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the charger to communicate properly with the forklift battery can be compromised too. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised battery charger can not charge the forklift battery fully, causing a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician might be needed to return the battery charger to good working order.