Top Tips to Extend the Life of Your Forklift Battery

Forklift batteries aren’t cheap—which is why extending the life of your forklift battery in Jefferson, WI is a smart financial decision. Most forklift batteries last about 1,500 charge cycles or five years. It’s beneficial to eke out as much time and power as possible. Here’s how to make that happen.

Forklift battery watering

As you know, forklift batteries require appropriate watering. The method you use to water the batteries doesn’t matter as much as achieving the proper water level. The water must just reach the top of the lead-acid plates, which are visible in each cell. They’re usually located about 2.5 inches below the cell cap.

Since your forklift battery loses water through evaporation, you should check the water levels every five charges. Add clean water at least once per week.

Clean up corrosion

Keeping your battery clean will help extend its lifespan. Corrosion is a battery’s enemy. It can corrode the terminals, damage the casing and generally shorten the battery’s life. Make it a habit to check the battery for corrosion every time you go to charge it, and clean the battery with water and battery acid neutralizer. You should wear appropriate protective gear, and follow OSHA and EPA regulations for safe battery washing procedures.

If there is dirt or another type of spill on your battery, that should also be washed as soon as possible. These types of debris can conduct a charge down the side of the battery or cause a short.

Make sure the battery is completely dry before you charge it again.

Store batteries properly

Forklift batteries need to be stored properly when not in use—and that includes keeping them at a reasonable temperature. As you may know, forklifts are often used in extreme weather and temperature conditions. They also generate a significant amount of heat when in use or charging. Keep the batteries under 113 degrees Fahrenheit, and make sure there’s plenty of room for air to circulate when they’re charging or in use. In the winter, store them somewhere where the temperature stays well above freezing. Always keep your batteries upright, lest they spill battery acid all over.

Charge frequently

Finally, make sure you charge your batteries frequently—and be sure to use the right charger, while you’re at it. Forklift batteries require special industrial chargers that are designed for the specific voltage you’re using. Charge the batteries fully, every day, to preserve their lifespan. Then let them rest. You shouldn’t charge the batteries unless they’re less than 30 percent charged. Otherwise, you risk damaging your forklift battery’s plates.

Every week, you’ll finish and equalize the batteries. Keeping charging records is a good way to ensure you and your team stay on the ball—and in turn, extend your batteries’ lifespan as much as possible.

If you have questions about forklift battery life extension in Jefferson, WI, call Remis Power Systems Inc. today. We offer free consultations about industrial batteries and chargers so you can always be confident in your purchases.

Categorised in: Forklift Batteries

This post was written by Writer