How Long Does a Forklift Battery Last?
To make sure that expensive units of electric forklift batteries would last, you should perform proper care and maintenance. These industrial grade batteries are expensive, large and heavy. The more efficient the battery, the more productive your equipment operators can be. Extending the life span of the battery is truly a top priority, not just because of the cost of replacement, but also because of the cost of down time connected with battery issues.
Charging Cycles
Don't forget that you can only recharge batteries of forklifts when they are at least 80 percent discharged. The rate of discharge differs depending upon various factors like 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. Nevertheless, keep in mind that charging a battery too often would wear the battery more quickly.
Life Span
Brand new forklift batteries are usually made to last 1,500 charge cycles at minimum. Therefore, if the battery is being charged daily, the battery would last roughly five years. However, this is an average estimate. The life of the battery could be extended a lot beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with correct maintenance.
Deep Discharge
Make certain that the battery of the forklift is never discharged totally. 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 also. This is because the battery which is damaged could change the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the charger to properly communicate with the forklift battery can be compromised as well. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised battery charger could not charge the forklift battery fully, resulting in a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician may be needed to return the battery charger to proper working condition.