How Long Does a Forklift Battery Really Last?
Batteries of electric forklifts are expensive units that require correct maintenance and care to be able to guarantee a long life. These industrial grade batteries are really costly, big and heavy. If the battery is more efficient, the more effective your equipment operators could be. Extending the battery life span is a main concern, not just because of the replacement cost, but also because of the cost of down time connected with battery problems.
Charging Cycles
Remember that you could just recharge forklift batteries when they are at least 80 percent discharged. The discharge rate varies depending on different factors like how many hours the forklift is being operated, the average load weight and the number of shifts being worked. For busy operations, nightly charging may be required. However, don't forget that charging a battery too often will wear the battery a lot faster.
Life Span
Usually, a brand new forklift battery would last at least 1,500 charge cycles. Therefore, if the forklift battery is being charged daily, the battery would last around five years. Nonetheless, this is an average estimation. The life span of the battery can be extended significantly beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with correct maintenance.
Deep Discharge
Make certain that the forklift battery is never discharged completely. Not only can damage to the battery result from what is known as a "deep discharge", the electrical parts and motor of the forklift can also sustain damage. 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 battery can also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised battery charger will be unable to fully charge the battery, leading to a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician might be required to return the battery charger to proper working order.