How Long Does a Forklift Battery Last?
To be able to make sure that valuable units of electric forklift batteries would last, you must perform correct maintenance and care. These industrial grade batteries are heavy, expensive and big. The more efficient the battery, the more productive your equipment operators can be. Extending the battery life span is a main concern, not just because of the cost of replacement, but also because of the cost of down time connected with battery issues.
Charging Cycles
Forklift batteries must be recharged only when they are at least 80% discharged. The discharge rate differs depending on various factors like for instance the number of shifts being worked, the number of hours the forklift is being utilized, and the average weight of loads. For busy operations, charging nightly may be needed. However, bear in mind that charging a battery too often would wear the battery a lot faster.
Life Span
New forklift batteries are normally made to last 1,500 charge cycles at minimum. Thus, if the forklift battery is being charged every day, the battery will last approximately five years. Nevertheless, this is an average estimation. The life of the battery could be extended significantly beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with correct maintenance.
Deep Discharge
A battery of the forklift must never be allowed to become completely discharged. Not only can damage to the battery be caused by what is referred to as a "deep discharge", the electrical parts and motor of the forklift could sustain damage too. This is because the battery which is damaged can change the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the charger to properly communicate with the battery could be compromised also. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised charger would be unable to fully charge the forklift battery, leading to a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician may be required to return the charger to good working order.