How Long Does a Forklift Battery Last?
To make certain that valuable units of electric forklift batteries would last, you must carry out correct maintenance and care. These industrial grade batteries are very costly, large and heavy. If the battery is more efficient, the more effective your equipment operators could be. Extending the life span of the battery is truly a main concern, not only because of the replacement cost, but also because of the cost of down time connected with battery issues.
Charging Cycles
Forklift batteries must be recharged only when they are at least 80 percent discharged. The discharge rate differs depending upon different factors like the number of shifts being worked, how many hours the forklift is being utilized, and the average load weight. For busy operations, charging every night might be required. Nevertheless, don't forget that charging a battery too often will wear the battery a lot faster.
Life Span
Usually, a brand new forklift battery will last at least 1,500 charge cycles. Hence, if the forklift battery is being charged daily, the battery will last roughly five years. Nevertheless, this is an average estimate. The life span of the battery could be extended a lot beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with correct maintenance.
Deep Discharge
Make certain that the forklift battery is never discharged completely. Not only can damage to the battery result from what is referred to as a "deep discharge", the electrical parts and motor of the forklift could also sustain damage. This is because the battery that is damaged could alter the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the charger to communicate properly with the forklift battery could also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised battery charger will be unable to charge the battery fully, resulting in a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician might be required to return the battery charger to proper working order.