How Long Does a Forklift Battery Actually Last?
To be able to make sure that expensive units of electric forklift batteries will have long life, you should perform proper maintenance and care. These industrial grade batteries are very large, heavy and costly. The more efficient the battery, the more productive your equipment operators could be. Extending the life span of the battery is really a main concern, not just because of the cost of replacement, but also because of the expense of down time associated with battery problems.
Charging Cycles
Forklift batteries should be recharged just when they are at least 80 percent discharged. The rate of discharge varies depending upon different factors like for example the number of shifts being worked, how many hours the forklift is being operated, and the average weight of loads. For busy operations, nightly charging may be needed. Nonetheless, don't forget that charging a battery very often would wear the battery more quickly.
Life Span
Brand new forklift batteries are usually built to last 1,500 charge cycles at least. Thus, if the forklift battery is being charged every day, the battery will last about five years. However, this is an average estimate. The battery life span can be extended a lot beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with proper maintenance.
Deep Discharge
Make sure that the battery of the forklift is never discharged completely. Not only can damage to the battery be caused by what is called "deep discharge", the electrical components and motor of the forklift could sustain damage as well. This is because the damaged battery can alter the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the battery charger to properly communicate with the forklift battery can also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised battery charger could not fully charge the battery, causing a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician may be needed to return the battery charger to good working order.