​Here is How You Can Guarantee The Longevity Of A Forklift Battery.

4th Jun 2020

Forklift batteries come at a very high cost and are also quite delicate. Therefore failing to maintain them properly can have a significant impact on your operational costs. 

Let us take a look at some of the measures you can use to ensure your forklift battery will serve your business for a long time to come.

Proper Pre-Operation Inspection.

It is always important that before you use your forklift battery for a shift, you schedule it for inspection. Doing this will help you notice any developing problems like sulfation which can be corrected through maintenance when captured in the initial stages. Therefore, make pre-operation checks a constant fixture before operations to ensure your batteries are fit for upcoming operations and any developing problems are taken care of.

Professional Handling Of The Batteries

The forklift battery is a very expensive component of the forklift and therefore needs to be accorded proper attention. The first step you should take is to set aside a designated area where the forklifts are kept for charging and maintenance. The designated areas you set up should comply with the recommended safety standards. You should also ensure you employ only highly trained personnel to handle the batteries. Proper battery changing and charging can only happen when you commit to this. 

Allocate Adequate Charging Time.

The manner in which you handle your battery during charging will go a long way in safeguarding its longevity. For instance, you should only charge your forklift battery when the charge level drops to 30% and below. And when you are charging the battery only unplug and use it when it has hit the full charge status. While charging the forklift it can get heated in such instances make sure you turn off the charger and you start charging it at a lower rate.

Proper and Consistent Watering

Forklift batteries normally use sulfuric acid and water in its catalyst solution. However, in the course of use, the water in the solution normally evaporates leading to the sulfuric acid collecting on the plates. Batteries which undergo this process which is called sulfation usually develop difficulty during charging. If the sulfation is not yet in high concentrations you can limit it by watering the batteries frequently using purified water.

Maintain Optimal Temperatures

The life span of a forklift battery is also impacted by the temperatures it is subject to. If you use your forklifts in extreme conditions always ensure that you maintain the temperatures of the forklift battery at 45℃. When these temperatures are exceeded the life of the forklift battery will begin to decline. You can beat the high temperatures by enabling cooling through rapid air circulation.

Your forklift batteries are costly therefore you should take great care of them. Ensure you have regular inspections to discover any developing problems. Have only qualified personnel handling the batteries in designated areas. Always ensure the batteries are adequately charged before use. To prevent sulfation make sure the batteries are watered frequently. 

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