How Long Does a Forklift Battery Last?
To be able to make certain that valuable units of electric forklift batteries would have long life, you should carry out correct maintenance and care. These industrial grade batteries are very heavy, expensive and large. If the battery is more efficient, the more effective your equipment operators could be. Extending the battery life span is a main concern, not only because of the replacement cost, but also because of the expense of down time associated with battery problems.
Charging Cycles
Bear in mind that you can only recharge forklift batteries when they are at least 80% discharged. The rate of discharge differs depending upon different factors like the average weight of loads, the number of shifts being worked and the number of hours the forklift is being operated. For busy operations, charging every night might be needed. Nonetheless, remember that charging a battery too often would wear the battery more quickly.
Life Span
New forklift batteries are typically made to last 1,500 charge cycles at minimum. Thus, if the forklift battery is being charged daily, the battery will last roughly five years. Nevertheless, this is an average estimation. The life span of the battery can be extended a lot 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 be caused by what is referred to as a "deep discharge", the electrical components and motor of the forklift can sustain damage as well. This is because the damaged battery could alter the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the battery charger to properly communicate with the forklift battery can be compromised as well. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised battery charger could not fully charge the battery, resulting in a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician might be required to return the charger to good working order.