Forklift Battery Safe Installation and Charging
Forklift batteries are quite large and are very expensive pieces of equipment. They weigh thousands of pounds. The task of installing and charging these batteries is something that should be really planned out ahead of time in order to make certain that these procedures are able to be done correctly and safely. Maintaining correct handling and a sound charging procedure could really increase the standard lifespan of a battery.
Standard Charging
It is vital not to connect the battery to the charger until it is at 20% capacity or less. By charging the battery when it is higher than 20%, the lifespan of the battery can really be shortened. On approximately every 5th charge cycle, the charger must be set on the equalize or weekend setting, depending on which type of charger you are using.
The charging cycle should never be interrupted. When the charge cycle is done, you must avoid using the battery for a few hours. By practicing these procedures, you could help make sure that you get the maximum battery performance available.
Charger Maintenance
Make certain the charger is turned off before hooking up the battery to the charger. You then could connect the charger to the battery. This is a common mistake which can inadvertently cause damage to both the forklift and the charger. It is also very important that the battery amperage must match that of the charger.
The battery should never be allowed to to deep discharge or to completely discharge. This will ultimately shorten the lift of the battery and can even prevent the charger from being able to activate. If the battery charger reads that there is no battery activity, it would not start the charge cycle. If this situation happens, a technician will have to be called in order to re-set the charger prior to charge being able to begin.