How Long Does a Forklift Battery Really Last?
To be able to make certain that valuable units of electric forklift batteries will last, 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 truly a main concern, not only because of the cost of replacement, but also because of the cost of down time connected with battery issues.
Charging Cycles
batteries of forklifts must be recharged just when they are at least 80 percent discharged. The rate of discharge varies depending upon various things such as the number of shifts being worked, the number of hours the forklift is being utilized, and the average load weight. For busy operations, charging nightly may be needed. Nonetheless, remember that charging a battery very often will wear the battery a lot faster.
Life Span
New forklift batteries are normally made to last 1,500 charge cycles at minimum. Thus, if the forklift battery is being charged every day, the battery will last about five years. However, this is an average estimate. The life of the battery can be extended significantly beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with proper maintenance.
Deep Discharge
A forklift battery must never be allowed to become totally discharged. Not only could damage to the battery result from what is known as a "deep discharge", the forklift's electrical parts and motor could also sustain damage. This is because the damaged battery could 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 charger can not charge the battery fully, leading to a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician might be required to return the battery charger to good working condition.