How Long Does a Forklift Battery Actually Last?
Batteries of electric forklifts are expensive units that need proper care and maintenance to be able to ensure a long life. These industrial grade batteries are big, heavy and costly. 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 only because of the cost of replacement, but also because of the cost of down time associated with battery issues.
Charging Cycles
Forklift batteries should be recharged just when they are at least 80% discharged. The discharge rate differs depending upon different things like the average load weight, the number of shifts being worked and how many hours the forklift is being utilized. For busy operations, charging nightly may be needed. However, bear in mind that charging a battery too often will wear the battery more quickly.
Life Span
New forklift batteries are typically built to last 1,500 charge cycles at minimum. Thus, if the forklift battery is being charged on a daily basis, the battery will last roughly five years. However, this is an average estimation. The battery life span could be extended significantly beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with correct maintenance.
Deep Discharge
Make sure that the battery of the forklift is never discharged fully. Not only can damage to the battery result from what is referred to as a "deep discharge", the electrical components and motor of the forklift could sustain damage too. This is because the damaged battery could alter the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the charger to properly communicate with the battery could also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised charger will be unable to charge the forklift battery completely, resulting in a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician might be required to return the battery charger to good working condition.