When you work in a warehouse or receiving bay, a forklift is a vital piece of equipment. Forklifts typically come with lead acid battery banks that need proper care to ensure a long and productive lifespan, but you can also upgrade to industrial lithium-ion battery packs if you’re looking to eliminate that. Today, we’re looking at some of the dos and don’ts of forklift battery maintenance to keep your warehouse machinery running smoothly and efficiently.
Do: Keep Your Battery Away From Extreme Temperatures
Lithium-ion batteries work best when you keep them out of extreme temperatures. A forklift battery exposed to temperatures hotter than 92 degrees or colder than 30 degrees Fahrenheit can shorter lifespan. So, keep your battery at a controlled temperature during the summer and winter and take precautions when using your forklift outdoors.
Don’t: Give Your Battery Short Charges
It may seem like a good idea to plug in the battery for the hour while everybody is at lunch to give it some extra juice, but this is one of the biggest don’ts of forklift battery maintenance. The lifespan of a lead acid forklift battery wears down with the number of charges rather than charging time. Charging the battery over short cycles can lead to the need for charging it more often, and it may eventually stop charging entirely. If you’re looking to avoid this, make sure to upgrade to a lithium-ion forklift battery, which affords the ability to do those quick charges, referred to as ‘opportunity charging’, without harming the battery.
Do: Charge the Battery Before It Gets Too Low
While you don’t want to charge a lead acid forklift battery more than once per day, you also don’t want to squeeze as much juice out of it as possible before charging it. It’s good to start charging the battery when it hits around 25 percent to extend its overall lifespan. And remember, you should always let your battery charge fully before using it again.
Don’t: Swap Out the Batteries Throughout the Day
If you disconnect a battery at 50 percent charge, you can shorten that battery’s total lifespan. Batteries don’t differentiate between a quick charge and a full one, so don’t pull it out too early, or you can cause permanent damage to the battery. Again, lithium-ion batteries don’t have these issue so choosing an LFP option like a BigBattery forklift battery is a wise decision.
For more information on forklift lithium batteries, the experts at BigBattery have the answers to all your questions, comments, and concerns. Feel free to reach out to us by phone at (818) 280-3091 or by email at Sales@BigBattery.com.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long do LiFePO4 batteries last?
A quality LiFePO4 battery can commonly deliver 4,000 or more charge cycles, often roughly 10 years or longer under the right conditions. Depth of discharge, temperature, charge settings, storage habits, and the BMS all affect the result.
How many years is 4,000 cycles?
One full cycle per day is about 11 years. Three cycles per week is more than 25 years on paper, though calendar aging becomes the limit first.
What happens at the end of a LiFePO4 battery's life?
It does not suddenly stop. It loses capacity gradually. A battery rated for 4,000 cycles may be specified to keep around 80% of its original capacity at that point.
Does temperature affect LiFePO4 battery life?
Yes. High heat speeds aging, and charging below freezing can damage cells unless the battery has low-temperature protection or self-heating.
How long does a lithium battery last in an RV?
Many years, when charging sources are configured correctly and the battery is protected from freezing charge conditions. Annual cycles are often fewer than in a daily solar system, but conditions vary more.
How should I store a lithium battery?
Store it at a partial state of charge in a clean, dry, moderate-temperature location. Disconnect parasitic loads and check it periodically per the manufacturer's guidance.
