How Long Does a Forklift Battery Actually Last?
Electric forklifts batteries are expensive units which require correct maintenance and care to be able to ensure a long life. These industrial grade batteries are heavy, costly and big. If the battery is more efficient, the more productive your machine operators could be. Extending the battery life span is a top priority, not just because of the cost of replacement, but also because of the expense of down time associated with battery issues.
Charging Cycles
batteries of forklifts must be recharged only when they are at least 80% discharged. The discharge rate differs depending upon different factors such as the number of shifts being worked, how many hours the forklift is being used, and the average load weight. For busy operations, nightly charging may be required. However, keep in mind that charging a battery very frequently would wear the battery a lot faster.
Life Span
New forklift batteries are normally built to last 1,500 charge cycles at least. Therefore, if the battery is being charged every day, the battery will last about five years. Nevertheless, this is an average estimation. The life of the battery can be extended significantly beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with correct maintenance.
Deep Discharge
A battery of the forklift should never be allowed to become fully discharged. Not only can damage to the battery result from 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 change the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the battery charger to communicate properly with the forklift battery could also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised battery charger can not charge the battery fully, resulting in a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician might be required to return the battery charger to good working order.