How Long Does a Forklift Battery Really Last?
Electric forklifts batteries are expensive units that need correct care and maintenance to ensure a long life. These industrial grade batteries are really large, heavy and costly. The more efficient the battery, the more productive your machine operators could be. Extending the battery life span is truly a top priority, not just because of the replacement cost, but also because of the cost of down time associated with battery problems.
Charging Cycles
Forklift batteries must be recharged only when they are at least 80 percent discharged. The rate of discharge varies depending upon various factors such as how many hours the forklift is being utilized, the average weight of loads and the number of shifts being worked. For busy operations, nightly charging may be needed. However, remember that charging a battery too often will wear the battery more quickly.
Life Span
Brand new forklift batteries are typically built to last 1,500 charge cycles at minimum. Therefore, if the battery is being charged every day, the battery would last roughly five years. Nevertheless, this is an average estimation. The battery life span can be extended significantly beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with proper maintenance.
Deep Discharge
Make certain that the battery of the forklift is never discharged totally. Not only can damage to the battery result from what is called "deep discharge", the forklift's electrical components and motor can sustain damage as well. This is because the damaged battery can change the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the battery charger to communicate properly with the battery can also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised charger will be unable to fully charge the forklift battery, resulting in a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician might be required to return the charger to proper working order.