How Long Does a Forklift Battery Last?
To be able to make sure that valuable units of electric forklift batteries would have long life, you should carry out correct care and maintenance. These industrial grade batteries are really large, heavy and costly. 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
Forklift batteries must be recharged only when they are at least 80% discharged. The rate of discharge varies depending upon various factors like for example the number of hours the forklift is being operated, the average weight of loads and the number of shifts being worked. For busy operations, nightly charging may be required. Nevertheless, remember that charging a battery too often would wear the battery a lot faster.
Life Span
New forklift batteries are normally made to last 1,500 charge cycles at least. Hence, if the battery is being charged daily, the battery will last roughly five years. However, this is an average estimation. The battery life span can be extended a lot beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with proper maintenance.
Deep Discharge
A forklift battery must never be allowed to become completely discharged. Not only can damage to the battery be caused by what is referred to as a "deep discharge", the forklift's electrical components and motor could also sustain damage. This is because the battery that 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 could also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised battery charger would be unable to charge the battery fully, resulting in a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician may be required to return the battery charger to good working condition.