How Long Does a Forklift Battery Really Last?
To be able to make sure that expensive units of electric forklift batteries will have long life, you should carry out correct maintenance and care. These industrial grade batteries are heavy, expensive and large. The more efficient the battery, the more effective your equipment operators can be. Extending the life span of the battery is truly a top priority, not just because of the cost of replacement, but also because of the cost of down time associated with battery issues.
Charging Cycles
Forklift batteries should be recharged only when they are at least 80 percent discharged. The discharge rate varies depending upon various factors like the average load weight, the number of shifts being worked and how many hours the forklift is being used. For busy operations, charging every night may be needed. However, keep in mind that charging a battery too often would wear the battery more quickly.
Life Span
New forklift batteries are normally built to last 1,500 charge cycles at minimum. Therefore, if the forklift battery is being charged on a daily basis, the battery will 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 proper maintenance.
Deep Discharge
Make certain that the forklift battery is never discharged totally. Not only can damage to the battery be caused by what is referred to as a "deep discharge", the electrical components and motor of the forklift could sustain damage as well. This is because the damaged battery could change the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the battery charger to properly communicate with the forklift battery can also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised charger will be unable to fully charge the forklift battery, resulting in a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician may be required to return the charger to good working order.