How Long Does a Forklift Battery Really Last?
Electric forklifts batteries are valuable units that need correct maintenance and care to guarantee a long life. These industrial grade batteries are very heavy, costly and large. If the battery is more efficient, the more effective your equipment operators could be. Extending the life span of the battery is really a main concern, not only because of the replacement cost, but also because of the cost of down time connected with battery issues.
Charging Cycles
batteries of forklifts must be recharged only when they are at least 80% discharged. The rate of discharge differs depending on various things such as the number of hours the forklift is being operated, the average weight of loads and the number of shifts being worked. For busy operations, charging every night may be needed. Nonetheless, bear in mind that charging a battery very frequently will wear the battery a lot faster.
Life Span
New forklift batteries are usually built to last 1,500 charge cycles at least. Therefore, if the forklift battery is being charged every day, the battery will last around five years. However, this is an average estimate. The life span of the battery could be extended a lot beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with proper maintenance.
Deep Discharge
A forklift battery must never be allowed to become completely discharged. Not only could damage to the battery be caused by what is known as a "deep discharge", the forklift's electrical components and motor could sustain damage as well. This is because the battery that is damaged can alter the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the battery charger to communicate properly with the battery could also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised battery charger will be unable to charge the battery fully, leading to a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician may be required to return the charger to good working condition.