How Long Does a Forklift Battery Truly Last?
To make certain that expensive units of electric forklift batteries would have long life, you must perform proper care and maintenance. These industrial grade batteries are costly, large and heavy. If the battery is more efficient, the more effective 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 expense of down time associated with battery problems.
Charging Cycles
Remember that you could just recharge forklift batteries when they are at least 80% discharged. The rate of discharge varies depending on different things like for example the number of hours the forklift is being operated, the average load weight and the number of shifts being worked. For busy operations, charging every night may be needed. However, keep in mind that charging a battery too often will wear the battery a lot faster.
Life Span
New forklift batteries are typically made to last 1,500 charge cycles at minimum. Hence, if the forklift battery is being charged every day, the battery will last around five years. However, this is an average estimation. The battery life span could be extended significantly beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with proper maintenance.
Deep Discharge
Make sure that the forklift battery is never discharged completely. Not only could damage to the battery be caused by what is known as a "deep discharge", the electrical parts and motor of the forklift can also sustain damage. This is because the damaged battery could alter the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the battery charger to communicate properly with the battery could also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised battery charger can not fully charge the battery, leading to a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician might be required to return the charger to proper working order.