How Long Does a Forklift Battery Actually Last?
To make sure that valuable units of electric forklift batteries will last, you should perform proper maintenance and care. These industrial grade batteries are very costly, big and heavy. The more efficient the battery, the more productive 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 issues.
Charging Cycles
batteries of forklifts should be recharged only when they are at least 80% discharged. The discharge rate varies depending on different things such as how many hours the forklift is being operated, the average weight of loads and the number of shifts being worked. For busy operations, charging every night might be required. However, don't forget that charging a battery too often will wear the battery a lot faster.
Life Span
Usually, a new forklift battery will last at least 1,500 charge cycles. Hence, if the battery is being charged on a daily basis, the battery will last approximately five years. Nevertheless, this is an average estimate. The life of the battery can be extended a lot beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with proper maintenance.
Deep Discharge
Make certain that the forklift battery is never discharged totally. Not only could damage to the battery be caused by what is called "deep discharge", the forklift's electrical components and motor could sustain damage also. This is because the battery that is damaged could change the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the charger to properly communicate with the forklift battery could also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised charger can not fully charge the forklift battery, resulting in a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician may be required to return the charger to proper working condition.