How Long Does a Forklift Battery Last?
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 really large, heavy and costly. The more efficient the battery, the more productive your equipment operators can be. Extending the battery life span is really a top priority, not only because of the replacement cost, but also because of the expense of down time associated with battery issues.
Charging Cycles
Keep in mind that you can only recharge batteries of forklifts when they are at least 80% discharged. The discharge rate differs depending on different things like for example the number of shifts being worked, how many hours the forklift is being utilized, and the average load weight. For busy operations, nightly charging might be required. Nonetheless, remember that charging a battery very often will wear the battery more quickly.
Life Span
Usually, a new forklift battery would last at least 1,500 charge cycles. Hence, if the battery is being charged every day, the battery would last about five years. However, this is an average estimation. The life of the battery can be extended significantly beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with proper maintenance.
Deep Discharge
Make sure that the battery of the forklift is never discharged fully. Not only could damage to the battery result from what is called "deep discharge", the forklift's electrical parts and motor can also sustain damage. This is because the battery which is damaged can 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 charger can not fully charge the battery, causing a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician may be required to return the battery charger to good working order.