How Long Does a Forklift Battery Last?
Electric forklifts batteries are valuable units which need proper care and maintenance to ensure a long life. These industrial grade batteries are big, heavy and expensive. The more efficient the battery, the more productive your machine operators can be. Extending the life span of the battery is a top priority, not just because of the replacement cost, but also because of the cost of down time associated with battery problems.
Charging Cycles
Keep in mind that you could just recharge batteries of forklifts when they are at least 80% discharged. The discharge rate differs depending upon various factors like the number of shifts being worked, the number of hours the forklift is being utilized, and the average load weight. For busy operations, nightly charging may be required. Nevertheless, remember that charging a battery too often will wear the battery a lot faster.
Life Span
Brand new forklift batteries are usually built to last 1,500 charge cycles at least. Therefore, if the battery is being charged daily, the battery will last approximately 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 battery of the forklift should never be allowed to become fully discharged. Not only could damage to the battery be caused by what is referred to as a "deep discharge", the forklift's electrical components and motor can 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 properly communicate with the forklift battery can also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised battery charger could not charge the battery fully, resulting in a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician may be needed to return the battery charger to good working condition.