How Long Does a Forklift Battery Last?
Electric forklifts batteries are expensive units that need correct care and maintenance to be able to guarantee a long life. These industrial grade batteries are very big, heavy and costly. The more efficient the battery, the more effective your equipment operators could be. Extending the battery life span is a main concern, not only because of the replacement cost, but also because of the cost of down time associated with battery issues.
Charging Cycles
Keep in mind that you could only recharge batteries of forklifts when they are at least 80% discharged. The rate of discharge varies depending on different things like for example the number of shifts being worked, the number of hours the forklift is being used, and the average weight of loads. For busy operations, nightly charging might be needed. However, remember that charging a battery very often would wear the battery a lot faster.
Life Span
Typically, a new forklift battery will last at least 1,500 charge cycles. Thus, if the battery is being charged every day, the battery would last about five years. Nonetheless, this is an average estimate. The life span of the battery could be extended significantly beyond the average 1,500 charge cycles with proper maintenance.
Deep Discharge
A battery of the forklift should never be allowed to become fully discharged. 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 battery which is damaged can change the amount of power being supplied to the forklift. The ability of the charger to communicate properly with the battery can be compromised also. In a worst-case scenario, the compromised charger can not fully charge the forklift battery, leading to a destructive cycle of incomplete charges. A service technician may be required to return the charger to proper working order.