How Long Does a Forklift Battery Last?
Batteries of electric forklifts are valuable units that require proper care and maintenance to be able to ensure a long life. These industrial grade batteries are really costly, big and heavy. The more efficient the battery, the more productive your equipment operators could be. Extending the battery life span is a main concern, not just because of the replacement cost, but also because of the expense of down time connected with battery issues.
Charging Cycles
Remember that you could just recharge forklift batteries when they are at least 80 percent discharged. The rate of discharge varies depending on various factors such as the average weight of loads, the number of shifts being worked and the number of hours the forklift is being used. For busy operations, charging nightly might be required. Nonetheless, bear in mind that charging a battery too frequently would wear the battery more quickly.
Life Span
Brand new forklift batteries are usually built to last 1,500 charge cycles at minimum. Hence, if the forklift battery is being charged every day, the battery will last roughly five years. However, this is an average estimate. The battery life span could be extended significantly beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with correct maintenance.
Deep Discharge
A forklift battery must never be allowed to become fully discharged. Not only can 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 can 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 would be unable to completely charge the battery, causing a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician might be required to return the charger to good working order.