Gotta Keep That Charge: 4 Tips That Will Keep Your Forklift Batteries Up And Running
Posted on: 1 March 2018
Share
When your work depends on your forklifts, you can't afford to be dealing with dead batteries. Unfortunately, if you're not caring for your industrial batteries properly, that's exactly what you'll be dealing with. Luckily, with proper maintenance, your forklift batteries that you got from a place like Ampro, inc won't let you down. To make sure you're batteries are ready when you are, here are four key maintenance tips you should follow.
Watch the Water Usage
If your forklift batteries aren't maintenance-free, you'll need to add distilled water from time to time. The distilled water keeps the electrolyte levels balanced, which promotes proper operation. However, if you've noticed that you're adding distilled water more often than you should, you may be overcharging the batteries. When industrial batteries are overcharged, they compensate by burning through the distilled water that's stored in the chambers. If you're using more distilled water than you should be, it's time to test the battery chargers.
Avoid the Extremes
If the temperatures in your warehouse run between the extremes – too hot and too cold – your forklift batteries may be paying the price. You might not realize this, but industrial batteries – whether for forklifts or other equipment – do not handle well under extreme temperature conditions. When storing your batteries, make sure you choose a location that provides optimum climate control. Maintaining a storage room that is neither too hot, nor too cold, will extend the life of your batteries.
Ensure Proper Charging Procedures
It might seem that charging your batteries whenever they're not in use would be the best way to avoid problems. However, that's not actually the case. In fact, if you're charging your batteries throughout the day, you could be reducing their life expectancy. For maximum effectiveness, avoid charging your batteries throughout the day. Instead, attach them to the charger in the evening, once the workday is done. Another good rule of thumb is to allow the batteries to fully drain before hooking them up to the chargers. This will extend the life of your batteries and help them maintain their charge longer.
Know the Signs of Failure
When it comes to protecting your forklift batteries, it's crucial that you know the signs of failure. Knowing the failure signs will help you spot bad cells before you're faced with a work stoppage. The two signs you should watch for include a white flaky buildup on the outside of the battery, and a rotten egg odor coming from the cells. If you're noticing either of those signs, you've got a battery cell that's about to fail you.