A major setback in any operation is downtime. Taking good care of your forklift battery is one way to avoid unplanned work stoppages. Let’s review proper battery and charger maintenance to see how the right process will keep your forklift fleet operating at its best capacity.
To begin with, although critical, there is more to battery maintenance than watering. The following battery and charging issues will undoubtedly lead to problems:
- Weak or faulty cell – An undetected weak or faulty cell will cause more frequent battery changes and overheating, ultimately shortening the battery’s lifespan.
- Corrosion – A dirty or corroded battery creates heat buildup that can decrease runtime, shorten the battery’s life, and lead to significant safety issues.
- Damaged cable – Damaged cables and connectors increase maintenance costs due to the false voltage and amp reading, causing intermittent codes and diagnostic problems.
- Improper charging – Using improper charging practices can increase the charging frequency and shorten the battery’s life.
Second, planned maintenance is a smart way to stay ahead of issues that may arise. Here are the key steps for maintaining your forklift battery and charger.
Battery Planned Maintenance
- Visually inspect battery condition, cables, connections, and vent caps.
- Check electrolyte level and battery leakage.
- Record voltage readings and specific gravity for each cell.
- Thoroughly clean and neutralize the battery.
Charger Planned Maintenance
- Verify DC charge rate.
- Validate the ammeter and check the nameplate rating to ensure a proper match.
- Visually inspect charging cables, connectors, contact tips, and AC lines.
- Inspect the line contactor and tighten internal connections.
Third, specially trained service technicians can help optimize the efficiency of your batteries. By being skilled in maintenance, safety, and compliance, a professional forklift technician can provide suitable recommendations and take the necessary steps to keep your batteries in top shape. You’ll find that the right maintenance team can help your forklifts, batteries, and chargers work together to maximize uptime and performance.
Ultimately, you can eliminate unnecessary downtime by incorporating forklift battery maintenance into your forklift maintenance program. At Action Lift, we know industrial batteries. We offer a wide range of products, including chargers, low-water/low-maintenance options, high-capacity battery options, and new, fast-charging products. On top of that, we can evaluate your fleet and help maximize your battery investment with our PM Service and wash programs. Remember, as you take care of your forklift battery, it will take care of you!