How Long Does a Forklift Battery Really Last?
Electric forklifts batteries are valuable units that require proper maintenance and care to guarantee a long life. These industrial grade batteries are heavy, costly and large. The more efficient the battery, the more productive your machine operators can be. Extending the battery life span is a main concern, not just because of the cost of replacement, but also because of the cost of down time connected with battery issues.
Charging Cycles
Don't forget that you can just recharge forklift batteries when they are at least 80% discharged. The discharge rate differs depending upon various things like the number of shifts being worked, how many hours the forklift is being operated, and the average weight of loads. For busy operations, nightly charging may be needed. Nevertheless, don't forget that charging a battery too often will wear the battery more quickly.
Life Span
Usually, a brand new forklift battery will last at least 1,500 charge cycles. Therefore, if the battery is being charged on a daily basis, the battery will last around five years. However, this is an average estimation. The battery life span could be extended a lot beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with proper maintenance.
Deep Discharge
A battery of the forklift must never be allowed to become fully discharged. Not only could damage to the battery result from what is called "deep discharge", the forklift's electrical parts and motor can also sustain damage. This is because the damaged battery could alter the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the charger to communicate properly with the battery can be compromised as well. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised battery charger could not charge the battery completely, leading to a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician might be needed to return the charger to good working order.