How Long Does a Forklift Battery Last?
To be able 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 large, heavy and expensive. If the battery is more efficient, the more productive your equipment operators could be. Extending the life span of the battery is a top priority, not just because of the replacement cost, but also because of the cost of down time associated with battery issues.
Charging Cycles
batteries of forklifts must be recharged only when they are at least 80% discharged. The discharge rate varies depending on various factors like the number of shifts being worked, how many hours the forklift is being used, and the average load weight. For busy operations, charging nightly may be required. However, keep in mind that charging a battery very often will wear the battery more quickly.
Life Span
Commonly, a new forklift battery will last at least 1,500 charge cycles. Hence, if the battery is being charged daily, the battery will last roughly five years. However, this is an average estimate. The life of the battery can be extended significantly beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with correct maintenance.
Deep Discharge
A forklift battery must never be allowed to become completely discharged. Not only could damage to the battery be caused by what is called "deep discharge", the electrical parts and motor of the forklift could also sustain damage. This is because the damaged battery could change the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the battery charger to communicate properly with the battery could also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised charger would be unable to completely charge the battery, causing a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician may be required to return the battery charger to good working order.