Forklift Battery Safe Installation and Charging
Lift truck batteries are pretty large and are extremely costly pieces of equipment. They weigh thousands of pounds. The task of charging and installing these batteries is something that should be really planned out ahead of time so as to make certain that these procedures can be done correctly and safely. Maintaining a sound charging method and proper handling could majorly increase the usual lifespan of a battery.
Standard Charging
It is vital not to connect the battery to the charger until it is at 20% capacity or lower. By charging the battery when it is more than 20%, the battery's lifespan could actually be shortened. On roughly each 5th charge cycle, the charger should be set on the weekend or equalize setting, depending on which model of charger you are using.
The charging cycle should never be interrupted. As soon as the charge cycle is complete, you must avoid utilizing the battery for several hours. By practicing these procedures, you could help ensure that you get the maximum battery performance available.
Charger Maintenance
Make certain the charger is turned off prior to hooking up the battery to the charger. You then can connect the charger to the battery. This is a common error that could inadvertently cause damage to both the forklift and the charger. It is also very vital that the amperage of the battery should match that of the charger.
Do not ever allow the battery to deep discharge or completely discharge. This will shorten the battery life greatly and may even prevent the charger from being able to start. If the battery charger reads that there is no battery activity, it would not start the charge cycle. If this situation happens, a technician must be called to be able to re-set the charger prior to charge being able to start.