How Long Does a Forklift Battery Actually Last?
Electric forklifts batteries are valuable units which need proper care and maintenance to be able to ensure a long life. These industrial grade batteries are expensive, large and heavy. If the battery is more efficient, the more productive your equipment operators could be. Extending the life span of the battery is truly a top priority, not only because of the replacement cost, but also because of the expense of down time associated with battery issues.
Charging Cycles
Forklift batteries must be recharged just when they are at least 80 percent discharged. The rate of discharge varies depending on different factors like for example the number of hours the forklift is being operated, the average load weight and the number of shifts being worked. For busy operations, charging nightly might be needed. Nonetheless, keep in mind that charging a battery very frequently would wear the battery more quickly.
Life Span
New forklift batteries are usually made to last 1,500 charge cycles at least. Therefore, if the forklift battery is being charged every day, the battery would last around five years. Nonetheless, this is an average estimation. The life of the battery could 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 result from what is referred to as a "deep discharge", the forklift's electrical components and motor 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 also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised battery charger could not charge the battery fully, resulting in a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician may be needed to return the charger to proper working order.