How Long Does a Forklift Battery Truly Last?
Electric forklifts batteries are expensive units which need proper care and maintenance to be able to ensure a long life. These industrial grade batteries are large, heavy and expensive. If the battery is more efficient, the more productive your equipment operators can be. Extending the life span of the battery 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
Keep in mind that you could only recharge batteries of forklifts when they are at least 80 percent discharged. The discharge rate varies depending on different things like the average weight of loads, the number of shifts being worked and the number of hours the forklift is being utilized. For busy operations, nightly charging might be needed. However, don't forget that charging a battery too often would wear the battery a lot faster.
Life Span
Typically, a brand new forklift battery will last at least 1,500 charge cycles. Hence, if the forklift battery is being charged every day, the battery would last about five years. However, this is an average estimation. The life span of the battery can be extended a lot beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with proper maintenance.
Deep Discharge
Make certain that the forklift battery is never discharged completely. Not only could damage to the battery result from what is referred to as a "deep discharge", the electrical components and motor of the forklift can sustain damage too. 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 battery could also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised battery charger can not charge the battery fully, resulting in a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician may be required to return the charger to good working order.