Warning Signs That It’s Time to Replace Your Forklift Battery

Your forklifts are an important part of your warehouse or distribution center. Most warehouses use forklifts powered by industrial batteries so they can cut down on the potential risks and emissions associated with the use of engines powered by combustible fuel in indoor locations. This means it’s crucial that you properly maintain the batteries over their years of use.

However, even properly maintained forklift batteries will eventually reach the end of their useful life. Sooner or later you’ll need to look into forklift battery replacement.

But how do you identify the signs you need to replace your forklift battery in Jefferson, WI? Here are a few tips for you to keep in mind:

• Fast drain after charging: Does it seem like your batteries do not hold their charge nearly as long as they used to? It can be a good idea to track how long you go between charges, and the level each battery is at when you charge it. In general, you should aim to charge batteries when they reach between 20 to 30 percent battery life to maximize their lifespan. If you keep good records, you will be able to determine whether or not the batteries are draining faster than they had in the past. Eventually, this will become a large enough problem that replacement will be necessary.
• Excessive sulfation: Perform a physical inspection of the battery. A battery that is close to needing to be replaced may experience excessive sulfation. Over the battery’s life, water will evaporate and need to be replaced with purified water. If there’s too little water in the battery, or if there’s an improper charge, the sulfuric acid can start to collect on the battery’s plates. Too much of this sulfation can result in the battery losing its cranking power or taking longer to charge up. A failure to immediately address this problem could result in permanent damage, necessitating replacement.
• Spilled acid: If there’s acid on the exterior of the battery, you should check it for signs of damage. There’s a chance that if the acid leaked onto the exterior of the battery, it may need to be disposed of. When the acid gets out onto the exterior of the battery, this can become a significant health and safety risk to employees as they attempt to handle it. Anyone inspecting or handling a battery with this type of damage or deterioration should wear proper protective equipment to avoid contact with the acid. Spilled acid can be a result of overfilling, or of loose seals.
• Corroded terminals: Corroded terminals on forklift batteries can prevent the battery from properly transferring power to the forklift and prevent proper charging. Damage to the casing of the battery can result in leaks and potentially prevent the terminals from making a proper contact with the forklift.

These are just a few examples of some of the most common problems that could necessitate forklift battery replacement in Jefferson, WI. For more information or to arrange service for your industrial batteries, reach out to Remis Power Systems Inc. today.

Categorised in: Forklift Batteries

This post was written by Writer