Four Dos and Don’ts of Forklift Battery Care

You just purchased a new forklift battery less than two years ago, and you already need a new one. At $2,000 to $6,000 a pop, buying forklift batteries can quickly become a significant expense. Thankfully, a quality battery should last you about five years, but that’s only if you care for it properly.

At Remis Power Systems Inc., your local source for industrial batteries in Jefferson, WI, our customers often ask us what they can do to get the most out of their batteries. After consulting our experts here, we’ve put together a list of four dos and don’ts for forklift battery care.

Do charge your battery before it’s in the red zone

During a busy workday, it can be hard to stop work to charge your forklift battery. Most people end up waiting until their battery is nearly dead to charge it, but this can reduce the life of your battery. Best practice is to charge your battery immediately once it hits the red zone, which is about 20 to 30 percent charge remaining.

Don’t charge your battery too often

While some people tend to wait too long to charge their forklift battery, as mentioned above, others tend to charge their battery every chance they get, which is called opportunity charging.  Opportunity charging means charging the battery for a short period of time every time you’re near the charging station or during every break. Most batteries are manufactured to last through 1,500 charge cycles, which is about one charge per day for five years. If you are charging your battery multiple times a day, you can significantly reduce the life of your battery.

Don’t operate your forklift in extreme temperatures

Harsh temperatures can significantly reduce the life of your battery. For example, temperatures above 92 degrees Fahrenheit can reduce the life of your battery by 50 percent. Temperatures below 30 degrees can reduce the life of your battery by 30 percent. Be sure that you store and charge your batteries in a climate-controlled area and, if possible, avoid operating your forklift in extreme temperatures. If you must operate your forklift in extreme conditions, it would be wise to invest in a battery designed to handle harsh temperatures.

Do keep up with battery maintenance

Finally, be sure to keep up with your battery’s maintenance. Check the battery regularly for signs of corrosion and make sure the battery stays clean. You should also have a trained battery maintenance specialist inspect the battery’s water levels once a week. Flooded or wet cell batteries should also be equalized on a regular basis. Many batteries need equalization approximately every five to 10 charging cycles.

With the proper care, a quality battery can easily last five years or even longer. By following these few battery care tips, you can make sure that you get the most value out of your battery. For more tips like these or if you are looking to purchase industrial batteries in Jefferson, WI, visit the experts at Remis Power Systems Inc. today!

Categorised in: Industrial Batteries

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