Forklift batteries can be a large expense for warehouses and distribution centers, especially for those with large fleets of motive power equipment. So, as a warehouse manager, extending battery life should be one of your top priorities.
This allows you to get the most out of your investment in industrial batteries and keeps your forklifts running smoothly long-term. So, now that you must be wondering how to extend battery life for your electric forklift batteries, here’s what you need to know!
Your motive power equipment helps your business generate revenue. After all, without forklifts to move your inventory around your warehouse and onto trucks, how would you deliver your products to your customers?
Industrial batteries are the power behind your motive power equipment. So, if you want to keep your forklifts operating at maximum capacity, your forklift batteries are a key component of the equation.
Worn out forklift batteries may not supply a sufficient charge to safely power your forklifts. The unstable electrical output from faulty industrial batteries can even cause serious damage to your motive power equipment. When your employees are trying to use forklifts that aren’t fully functional, it slows down productivity (reducing profitability) and creates safety risks.
There are lots of do’s and don’ts when it comes to caring for your electric forklift batteries—and following best practices when it comes to forklift battery maintenance and charging can be crucial for extending battery life. Here are a few quick tips for how to extend battery life in your warehouse so you can keep your motive power equipment operating at maximum efficiency!
There are many different types of industrial chargers on the market to keep your forklift batteries powered up. However, when choosing a charging system for you forklift batteries, it’s important to select the type that is right for your needs. This can help with extending battery life! So, when selecting industrial chargers for your warehouse, be sure to:
Charging your forklift batteries may sound easy at first—all you need to do is slap the battery onto the charger whenever it gets low, right? Wrong! If you want to extend the useful life of your forklift batteries, you need to be sure that you’re charging them properly. This includes:
Having the right amount of water in your electric forklift batteries is very important for extending battery life and enabling full functionality, as it helps to maintain the proper temperature and prevents overheating. So, watering your industrial batteries should always be a part of your forklift battery maintenance checklist. Keep a written battery watering schedule clearly posted in your warehouse so every employee always know exactly when each forklift battery was watered last.
However, it’s important that you don’t overfill your industrial batteries and leave some additional space for expansion when they are in use. If you overwater your forklift batteries, it could cause acid dilution or a spill that puts your employees at risk.
Your forklift battery maintenance checklist should also include regularly equalizing your forklift batteries. This will rebalance the battery’s acid concentration levels and prevent stratification. If you don’t conduct regular battery equalizing, you will end up with a higher acid concentration at the bottom of the battery than the top, which can cause damage that affects its useful life.
Keep in mind that not all forklift batteries will require battery equalizing. Check the specifications on your battery before adding this to your forklift battery maintenance routine. Most batteries that do require battery equalizing will have a specific equalizing setting on their charger, so you can start by checking there.
If you’re wondering how to extend battery life, having your forklift batteries professionally tested periodically can certainly help. This will make it possible to identify any potential problems and signs of weakness before they result in premature electrical component failure.
You can also test your batteries on your own with a battery status system, such as the Hawker BSS-40C. This is a critical battery monitoring tool that can enable proper forklift battery management. It connects directly to your industrial chargers, collecting all recorded data on a battery's charge status. This helps you to improve battery rotation, extend battery life, maximize run time, and increase productivity throughout your warehouse.
Cleaning the top of your forklift batteries with battery cleaner or warm water isn’t just a “nice-to-have” on your forklift battery maintenance checklist—it’s required to maintain the warranty on some electric forklift batteries (but be sure to check your warranty documentation to confirm). Even if it’s not required by your warranty, you should still clean your forklift batteries regularly to avoid corrosion, which can decrease their useful life.
Did you know that storing, using, and charging industrial batteries in a warehouse with temperatures over 92 degrees Fahrenheit can diminish their useful life by nearly 50%? So, it’s important to regulate the temperature of your warehouse—utilizing warehouse fans and proper ventilation can help.
If you must operate a forklift in harsh temperatures, make sure you invest in a forklift battery specifically designed for those harsh conditions, and be sure there is proper air circulation in the battery compartment so it can cool. When you’re not using your forklift batteries, remember to always keep them stored in a clean, dry, and cool place.
Keeping your motive power equipment fully operational is essential for ongoing warehouse operations. SSE is here to help! We offer both on and off-site industrial battery repair services performed by experienced, certified technicians. We also conduct battery safety surveys that provide you with a written checklist on the condition of your industrial batteries, as well as what forklift battery repair or replacement services are needed.
Additionally, we provide battery reconditioning and mobile/remote battery washing services, plus industrial battery training and education classes for your employees! No matter what your needs are, SSE is ready to be your motive power equipment partner. Now the question is: are you ready to maximize your return on investment by extending the useful life of your forklift batteries? If so, reach out to an SSE specialist today!