How Long Does a Forklift Battery Last?
Batteries of electric forklifts are expensive units which require proper care and maintenance to be able to ensure a long life. These industrial grade batteries are large, heavy and expensive. If the battery is more efficient, the more effective your machine operators could be. Extending the battery life span is a main concern, not only 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 can only recharge forklift batteries when they are at least 80% discharged. The discharge rate varies depending on different factors such as the number of shifts being worked, the number of hours the forklift is being operated, and the average weight of loads. For busy operations, nightly charging may be required. Nevertheless, remember that charging a battery very frequently would wear the battery a lot faster.
Life Span
Usually, a brand new forklift battery would last at least 1,500 charge cycles. Thus, if the battery is being charged daily, the battery would last about five years. However, 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 battery of the forklift 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 battery that is damaged can alter the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the battery charger to properly communicate with the battery can also be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised charger would be unable to completely charge the forklift battery, resulting in a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician may be needed to return the battery charger to good working order.