How Long Does a Forklift Battery Last?
Batteries of electric forklifts are expensive units that need proper care and maintenance to ensure a long life. These industrial grade batteries are large, heavy and costly. The more efficient the battery, the more productive your equipment operators can be. Extending the battery life span is a main concern, not just because of the replacement cost, but also because of the expense of down time connected with battery issues.
Charging Cycles
batteries of forklifts must be recharged just when they are at least 80% discharged. The rate of discharge varies depending on various factors like how many hours the forklift is being operated, the average load weight and the number of shifts being worked. For busy operations, charging nightly may be needed. However, remember that charging a battery very often will wear the battery more quickly.
Life Span
Usually, a brand new forklift battery would last at least 1,500 charge cycles. Thus, if the battery is being charged on a daily basis, the battery would last about five years. Nevertheless, this is an average estimate. The life 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 totally. Not only could damage to the battery result from what is known as a "deep discharge", the forklift's electrical components 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 can be compromised as well. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised battery charger could not fully charge the forklift battery, leading to a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician may be required to return the charger to proper working order.