How Long Does a Forklift Battery Really Last?
Batteries of electric forklifts are expensive units which require proper maintenance and care to be able to guarantee a long life. These industrial grade batteries are very expensive, big and heavy. The more efficient the battery, the more productive your machine operators can be. Extending the battery life span is a top priority, 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 just when they are at least 80% discharged. The discharge rate varies depending upon various things such as the number of hours the forklift is being utilized, the average load weight and the number of shifts being worked. For busy operations, charging every night may be required. Nevertheless, keep in mind that charging a battery very frequently will wear the battery a lot faster.
Life Span
Brand new forklift batteries are usually built to last 1,500 charge cycles at least. Hence, if the battery is being charged on a daily basis, the battery would last approximately five years. Nevertheless, this is an average estimation. The life span of the battery can be extended a lot beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with correct 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 called "deep discharge", the forklift's electrical parts and motor could sustain damage as well. This is because the battery that is damaged can change the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the battery charger to properly communicate with the forklift battery could also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised charger can not completely charge the forklift battery, resulting in a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician might be required to return the charger to good working condition.