How Long Does a Forklift Battery Last?
Electric forklifts batteries are expensive units that require proper care and maintenance to guarantee a long life. These industrial grade batteries are heavy, expensive and big. The more efficient the battery, the more effective your equipment operators can be. Extending the life span of the battery is a main concern, not only because of the replacement cost, but also because of the cost of down time connected with battery problems.
Charging Cycles
Bear in mind that you could just recharge forklift batteries when they are at least 80% discharged. The discharge rate varies depending upon various factors like for example 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 nightly may be required. However, don't forget that charging a battery very frequently would wear the battery a lot faster.
Life Span
New forklift batteries are typically built to last 1,500 charge cycles at least. Therefore, if the battery is being charged on a daily basis, the battery would last around five years. Nonetheless, this is an average estimation. 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 totally. Not only can damage to the battery be caused by what is called "deep discharge", the electrical components and motor of the forklift could also sustain damage. This is because the damaged battery could change the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the charger to communicate properly with the forklift battery could also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised charger can not charge the forklift battery completely, resulting in a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician may be needed to return the charger to proper working condition.