How Long Does a Forklift Battery Actually Last?
Batteries of electric forklifts are expensive units that need correct care and maintenance to guarantee a long life. These industrial grade batteries are really expensive, large and heavy. If the battery is more efficient, the more effective your equipment operators can be. Extending the life span of the battery is a main concern, not just because of the replacement cost, but also because of the expense of down time connected with battery problems.
Charging Cycles
Forklift batteries must be recharged just when they are at least 80 percent discharged. The discharge rate varies depending upon various factors such as the number of shifts being worked, how many hours the forklift is being utilized, and the average weight of loads. For busy operations, nightly charging might be required. Nevertheless, don't forget that charging a battery too frequently would wear the battery a lot faster.
Life Span
New forklift batteries are usually made to last 1,500 charge cycles at minimum. Therefore, if the battery is being charged daily, the battery would last about five years. Nevertheless, this is an average estimate. The life span of the battery can be extended significantly beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with proper maintenance.
Deep Discharge
A forklift battery should never be allowed to become fully discharged. Not only can damage to the battery result from what is known as a "deep discharge", the electrical parts and motor of the forklift can sustain damage as well. This is because the battery which is damaged 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 also. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised charger will be unable to charge the battery completely, leading to a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician may be required to return the battery charger to good working order.