How Long Does a Forklift Battery Really Last?
To make sure that valuable units of electric forklift batteries will last, you must carry out correct maintenance and care. These industrial grade batteries are very heavy, expensive and big. If the battery is more efficient, the more productive your equipment operators could be. Extending the battery life span is a top priority, not only because of the replacement cost, but also because of the cost of down time associated with battery problems.
Charging Cycles
Don't forget that you can just recharge forklift batteries when they are at least 80% discharged. The discharge rate varies depending on different factors such as the number of hours the forklift is being operated, the average load weight and the number of shifts being worked. For busy operations, nightly charging may be needed. Nevertheless, bear in mind that charging a battery too frequently will wear the battery a lot faster.
Life Span
Usually, 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 will last roughly five years. Nevertheless, this is an average estimate. The life span of the battery can be extended a lot beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with proper maintenance.
Deep Discharge
A forklift battery should never be allowed to become totally discharged. Not only can damage to the battery be caused by what is called "deep discharge", the forklift's electrical components and motor can also sustain damage. This is because the damaged battery can change the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the battery charger to communicate properly with the battery can be compromised also. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised charger could not completely charge the forklift battery, leading to a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician may be needed to return the battery charger to proper working condition.