How Long Does a Forklift Battery Actually Last?
To make certain that expensive units of electric forklift batteries will last, you should perform proper care and maintenance. These industrial grade batteries are heavy, costly and big. If the battery is more efficient, the more productive your machine operators can be. Extending the battery life span is a top priority, not only because of the replacement cost, but also because of the cost of down time connected with battery issues.
Charging Cycles
Forklift batteries should be recharged only when they are at least 80 percent discharged. The rate of discharge varies depending upon various factors like the number of hours the forklift is being used, the average load weight and the number of shifts being worked. For busy operations, charging nightly may be required. However, bear in mind that charging a battery too often will wear the battery more quickly.
Life Span
Usually, a brand new forklift battery will last at least 1,500 charge cycles. Hence, if the battery is being charged on a daily basis, the battery would last about five years. Nevertheless, this is an average estimate. The battery life span can be extended a lot beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with correct maintenance.
Deep Discharge
A forklift battery should never be allowed to become completely discharged. Not only can damage to the battery be caused by what is called "deep discharge", the electrical parts and motor of the forklift could also sustain damage. This is because the battery that is damaged can alter the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the charger to properly communicate with the battery could also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised charger could not charge the forklift battery fully, leading to a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician may be needed to return the battery charger to proper working order.