On average, a forklift battery will last a single-shift operation five years. Proper care and maintenance can extend battery life up to ten years. Prolong the life of your forklift battery by following these easy Do’s and Don’ts when charging, operating and handling forklift batteries.

Forklift Battery Charger Do’s and Don’ts

Recharge the Battery When It Reaches 20-30%  

When your forklift’s battery hits the red zone (only 20% charge remaining) discontinue using that battery right away. Continuing to use a battery past 20% negatively affects its lifespan. Also, deep-discharging can cause electrical components to overheat and damage your lift truck.

Always Allow Your Battery to Charge Completely

A battery has a limited number of charges in it, around 1,500, and doesn’t distinguish between half-charging or full charging. Partially charging a battery still uses up a charge from its “bank.” 

Avoid Extreme Temperatures

Battery life can be reduced by as much as 50 percent once the ambient temperature reaches 92 degrees. At the other end of the spectrum, battery performance drops  30 percent when the temperature reaches 30 degrees.  If your forklift operates in extreme temperatures, use a battery designed for those conditions.

Don’t - Swap Batteries Mid-Shift

As described above, the ideal time to charge your forklift battery is at 20-30%. Charging a battery with 50-60% left in its charge is like throwing away a sandwich half-eaten. You’ve already “spent” a charging cycle, so use the whole thing.

Don’t - Charge a Battery During Lunch Breaks

Opportunity charging or quick charging shortens a battery’s lifespan. Think of it like this: a battery is "born" with approximately 1,500 charges in it. The more often it gets charged, the quicker it gets used up.

- Charge once a day and the battery should last five years.

- Charge twice a day and you can cut that lifespan in half.

To get the most out of your forklift battery: always charge your forklift battery completely, and never interrupt a charging cycle.

Do’s and Don’ts of Forklift charger Maintenance

Maintaining a forklift battery is meant to be easy: check the water once a week and clean the top once a month. The hard part? Making sure it gets done.

Proper maintenance is crucial for safety and to extend the life of your battery. Here are some simple Do’s and Don’ts:

Wear Protective Gear - Follow OSHA Recommendations

Batteries contain sulfuric acid, a chemical that can cause severe burns. Follow OSHA recommendations for protective gear and remove all metallic jewelry when handling and charging industrial batteries. 

Check the Battery’s Water Level

Add deionized or distilled water every five to ten charges (check manufacturer recommendations). Add water after charging - never before, and if you notice white crystals on the lead plates, call in a battery engineer immediately. Learn more about why forklift batteries need water.

Clean Batteries Every Month

Using battery cleaner or warm water, clean the top of each battery monthly. This is another example of easy, but often neglected maintenance. Chemical build-up can lead to tray corrosion and may void the manufacturer’s warranty.

Don’t - Attempt to Pick Up a Forklift Battery

Forklift batteries can weigh up to 3,000 lbs! No single person or team of people should attempt to lift a forklift battery. Use equipment such as a pallet jack equipped with a transfer carriage.

Don’t - Use a Battery That Emits Smoke

If a battery begins smoking, power it off immediately. Do not use this battery again. Learn to identify other signs a forklift battery should be replaced in our earlier post: Forklift Battery FAQs. 

Though electric forklifts cost more versus gas/ICE forklifts in the beginning, they have a lower cost of ownership in the long run. Ensure your operation gets the maximum value from their electric lift truck through proper battery maintenance and charging. For questions about electric forklifts, pallet jacks, or batteries, please contact us.