Forklift Battery Safe Installation and Charging
Lift truck batteries are quite big and are very costly pieces of machines. They weigh thousands of pounds. The task of charging and installation of these batteries is something which will need to be really planned out ahead of time so as to make certain that these methods could be done safely and properly. Maintaining a sound charging method and correct handling could majorly increase the battery's usual life span.
Standard Charging
It is essential not to connect the battery to the charger until it is at 20 percent capacity or less. By charging the battery when it is higher than 20%, the lifespan of the battery can actually be shortened. On roughly every 5th charge cycle, the charger should be set on the equalize or weekend setting, depending on what kind of charger you are utilizing.
The charging cycle should never be interrupted. Once the charge cycle is complete, you should avoid using the battery for a few hours. By practicing these procedures, you can help ensure that you get the maximum battery performance available.
Charger Maintenance
Make sure 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 can inadvertently cause damage to both the forklift and the charger. It is also really essential that the battery amperage should match that of the charger.
Do not ever allow the battery to completely discharge or to deep discharge. This would shorten the battery life significantly and may even prevent the charger from being able to start. If the battery charger reads that there is no activity in the battery, it would not start the charge cycle. If this situation occurs, a technician would need to be called to be able to re-set the charger prior to charge being able to start.