How Long Does a Forklift Battery Last?
Electric forklifts batteries are expensive units that need proper care and maintenance to ensure a long life. These industrial grade batteries are costly, large and heavy. The more efficient the battery, the more productive your machine operators could be. Extending the battery life span is really a top priority, not only because of the cost of replacement, but also because of the expense of down time connected with battery issues.
Charging Cycles
batteries of forklifts must be recharged just when they are at least 80% discharged. The rate of discharge varies depending on various factors such as the number of hours the forklift is being used, the average weight of loads and the number of shifts being worked. For busy operations, nightly charging might be needed. Nevertheless, bear in mind that charging a battery too frequently would wear the battery a lot faster.
Life Span
New forklift batteries are typically made to last 1,500 charge cycles at least. Hence, if the forklift battery is being charged daily, the battery would last around five years. Nevertheless, this is an average estimation. The battery life span could 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 forklift's electrical parts and motor 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 battery charger to properly communicate with the forklift battery could be compromised as well. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised battery charger would be unable to completely charge the battery, leading to a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician may be required to return the charger to good working condition.