Forklift Battery Safe Installation and Charging
Lift truck batteries are pretty large and are really costly pieces of equipment. They weigh thousands of pounds. The job of installing and charging these batteries is something which should be really planned out in advanced in order to make certain that these procedures are able to be completed safely and correctly. Maintaining a sound charging procedure and correct handling can majorly increase the battery's standard life span.
Standard Charging
It is essential not to connect the battery to the charger until it is at 20% capacity or less. By charging the battery when it is more than 20 percent, the lifespan of the battery could actually be shortened. On roughly each 5th charge cycle, the charger should be set on the weekend or equalize setting, depending on what type of charger you are utilizing.
The charging cycle must never be interrupted. As soon as the charge cycle is complete, you must avoid using the battery for a few hours. By practicing these methods, you will be able to help make sure that you get the maximum battery performance available.
Charger Maintenance
Make sure the charger is turned off prior to hooking up the battery to the charger. You then could connect the charger to the battery. This is a common error that can inadvertently cause damage to both the forklift and the charger. Also, it is really important that the amperage of the battery must match that of the charger.
Do not ever allow the battery to completely discharge or to deep discharge. This will shorten the battery life greatly and could even prevent the charger from being able to activate. If the battery charger reads that there is no activity in the battery, it would not start the charge cycle. If this situation occurs, a technician should be called to be able to re-set the charger prior to charge being able to start.