How Long Does a Forklift Battery Last?
To make sure that valuable units of electric forklift batteries would last, you must perform correct care and maintenance. These industrial grade batteries are very large, heavy and costly. If the battery is more efficient, the more productive your equipment operators can be. Extending the life span of the battery is a main concern, not just because of the cost of replacement, but also because of the cost of down time associated with battery problems.
Charging Cycles
batteries of forklifts should be recharged only when they are at least 80% discharged. The discharge rate varies depending on various things such as the number of shifts being worked, the number of hours the forklift is being used, and the average weight of loads. For busy operations, charging nightly may be needed. Nevertheless, remember that charging a battery too frequently will wear the battery a lot faster.
Life Span
Usually, a new forklift battery would last at least 1,500 charge cycles. Therefore, 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 must never be allowed to become completely discharged. Not only can damage to the battery result from what is called "deep discharge", the electrical components and motor of the forklift can sustain damage as well. 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 be compromised as well. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised battery charger will be unable to completely charge the battery, causing a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician may be needed to return the charger to proper working condition.