How Long Does a Forklift Battery Really Last?
To make sure that valuable units of electric forklift batteries would last, you should perform proper care and maintenance. These industrial grade batteries are big, heavy and costly. The more efficient the battery, the more productive your machine operators could be. Extending the battery life span is a main concern, not just because of the replacement cost, but also because of the cost of down time connected with battery issues.
Charging Cycles
Keep in mind that you can just recharge forklift batteries when they are at least 80 percent discharged. The rate of discharge differs depending upon various things like the number of shifts being worked, how many hours the forklift is being utilized, and the average weight of loads. For busy operations, nightly charging may be needed. However, don't forget that charging a battery very frequently will wear the battery more quickly.
Life Span
New forklift batteries are typically made to last 1,500 charge cycles at minimum. Hence, if the battery is being charged every day, the battery will last about five years. Nonetheless, this is an average estimate. The life span of the battery can be extended significantly beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with correct maintenance.
Deep Discharge
A forklift battery must never be allowed to become totally discharged. Not only can damage to the battery result from what is known as a "deep discharge", the electrical parts and motor of the forklift can sustain damage too. 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 communicate properly with the forklift battery can also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised battery charger could not charge the battery completely, leading to a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician may be required to return the charger to good working order.