How Long Does a Forklift Battery Actually Last?
Batteries of electric forklifts are expensive units which require correct maintenance and care to be able to ensure a long life. These industrial grade batteries are heavy, expensive and big. If the battery is more efficient, the more productive your equipment operators can be. Extending the life span of the battery is really a main concern, not just because of the cost of replacement, but also because of the expense of down time connected with battery problems.
Charging Cycles
Don't forget that you could just recharge forklift batteries when they are at least 80% discharged. The rate of discharge differs depending on various factors like how many hours the forklift is being operated, the average load weight and the number of shifts being worked. For busy operations, nightly charging might be needed. Nonetheless, keep in mind that charging a battery very frequently would wear the battery more quickly.
Life Span
Brand new forklift batteries are typically made to last 1,500 charge cycles at minimum. Hence, if the battery is being charged on a daily basis, the battery would last roughly five years. However, this is an average estimate. The battery life span can be extended a lot beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with correct maintenance.
Deep Discharge
Make sure that the battery of the forklift is never discharged completely. Not only can damage to the battery be caused by what is called "deep discharge", the electrical parts and motor of the forklift can 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 battery charger would be unable to fully charge the forklift battery, leading to a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician might be required to return the battery charger to good working order.