How to Buy the Right Forklift Battery

The true cost of ownership for forklifts is more than the purchase price. You have to factor in regular maintenance, fuel, repairs and more. One of the major costs of owning and operating a forklift is the battery. Forklift batteries can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000. Thankfully, if you purchase the right battery and take good care of it, you can usually get about five years of life out of your forklift battery. The question is, how do you buy the right forklift battery in the first place? As your local source for forklift batteries in Jefferson, WI, we have a few tips that will help you choose the right battery for your forklift.

Know your forklift

Before we get into how to choose the right battery, it’s important that you first get to know a few things about your forklift:

• What’s the minimum counterweight requirement? Using an underweight battery can cause dangerous stability issues. Check your owner’s manual for the minimum battery weight requirement.
• What voltage can your forklift use? Forklifts either use a 36-volt or a 48-volt battery. It’s important that you choose the right voltage. The wrong voltage can be severely damaging to your forklift.
• What’s the size of your battery compartment? To make sure that your new battery will fit properly, you need to measure the size of the battery compartment. Be sure to measure the width, depth and height of the compartment.
• What are the cable lengths, cable position and connector type? To ensure that your battery will hook into your forklift correctly, you’ll need to check the following:
  • The position and color of the connectors
  • How long the battery cable needs to be
  • Where the battery will plug into the forklift

Check where it was manufactured

Batteries manufactured overseas are often cheaper, but they are typically of lesser quality and don’t last as long as U.S.-manufactured batteries. When buying a battery, be sure to check where it was made.

Pay for a warranty

Not all batteries have a warranty, and those that do are often more expensive. However, batteries with a warranty are typically of better quality and, if something should go wrong, you’re covered. Be sure to read the fine print of the warranty so you know how long the warranty lasts and what the process is for having a battery replaced. Some warranties can be more of a hassle than they are worth, so it’s good to know what you are getting.

Make sure your charging system is compatible

If you already have a battery charger, you will want to purchase a battery that is compatible with it, if possible. For example, not all 48-volt battery chargers are compatible with all battery types, and a 38-volt charger can’t be used with a 48-volt battery. To avoid having to buy both a new battery and a new charger, make sure the battery you buy is already compatible.

If you want some expert help in choosing the right battery, be sure to stop in at Remis Power Systems Inc., your local source for forklift batteries in Jefferson, WI.

Categorised in: Forklift Batteries

This post was written by Writer