How Long Does a Forklift Battery Actually Last?
Batteries of electric forklifts are expensive units that need correct maintenance and care to guarantee a long life. These industrial grade batteries are really large, heavy and expensive. If the battery is more efficient, the more effective your machine operators can be. Extending the battery life span is really a top priority, not only because of the cost of replacement, but also because of the expense of down time connected with battery problems.
Charging Cycles
batteries of forklifts must be recharged only when they are at least 80% discharged. The rate of discharge differs depending on various factors such as the number of hours the forklift is being operated, the average load weight and the number of shifts being worked. For busy operations, nightly charging might be required. Nevertheless, keep in mind that charging a battery very often will wear the battery a lot faster.
Life Span
New forklift batteries are typically made to last 1,500 charge cycles at minimum. Thus, if the battery is being charged every day, the battery would last approximately five years. Nevertheless, this is an average estimate. The battery life span could be extended a lot beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with proper maintenance.
Deep Discharge
Make certain that the battery of the forklift is never discharged completely. Not only can damage to the battery result from what is called "deep discharge", the forklift's electrical components and motor could sustain damage as well. This is because the damaged battery can alter the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the battery charger to communicate properly with the forklift battery can also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised charger would be unable to charge the battery fully, leading to a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician may be needed to return the battery charger to good working condition.