How Long Does a Forklift Battery Last?
Electric forklifts batteries are valuable units that need proper maintenance and care to ensure a long life. These industrial grade batteries are really large, heavy and expensive. The more efficient the battery, the more effective your machine operators can be. Extending the life span of the battery is a top priority, not just because of the replacement cost, but also because of the expense of down time associated with battery problems.
Charging Cycles
Forklift batteries should be recharged only when they are at least 80% discharged. The rate of discharge varies depending on various factors like the number of hours the forklift is being operated, the average load weight and the number of shifts being worked. For busy operations, charging nightly may be required. Nevertheless, remember that charging a battery very often would wear the battery more quickly.
Life Span
Typically, a new forklift battery will last at least 1,500 charge cycles. Therefore, if the forklift battery is being charged daily, the battery would last around five years. However, this is an average estimate. The battery life span could be extended significantly beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with correct maintenance.
Deep Discharge
Make certain that the battery of the forklift is never discharged completely. Not only could damage to the battery be caused by what is known as a "deep discharge", the forklift's electrical parts and motor can 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 battery charger to properly communicate with the forklift battery could be compromised as well. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised battery charger could not charge the battery completely, leading to a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician might be required to return the battery charger to proper working order.