One of the best warehouse enhancements you can make is to invest in battery-operated forklifts in place of the fuel-burning alternatives. You'll save in fossil fuel costs by eliminating the fuel need, and battery systems are rechargeable, so you'll be able to maintain consistent production. When you make a transition like this, it's important to understand some of the key maintenance considerations for those batteries.

Keep Up With The Water

Every forklift battery relies on a precise water level for the plates in the battery to maintain the resistance inside the case. If the water level is the least bit low, it can leave the top of the plates exposed, and they can dry out. This may even put them at risk of burns. This disrupts the battery's resistance, hindering its operation. Make sure you check the water levels regularly and keep the battery as full as possible.

When you do add water to your battery, it's important that you don't overfill it. Don't exceed the fill line, because that could actually affect the balance of the electrolytes inside the case. If you're facing diluted electrolytes due to an overfull battery, you'll need to replace the battery.

Only Plug The Batteries In For Full Charging Cycles

The batteries used in forklifts are an industrial-grade unit. They are constructed so that they can sustain many re-charging cycles. Every time you plug the battery in to charge, it counts as a charging cycle, even if it doesn't charge completely. This can be highly problematic if your warehouse participates in behaviors such as short-cycling. This a practice of charging the equipment even for brief periods, like during lunch hours. Since every time the battery is plugged in counts as a charge, that kind of behavior can shorten the lifespan of your forklift's batteries and cost you more in the long run.

Don't Charge The Battery Unless It's Low

If you charge a forklift battery when it doesn't really need it, you risk overcharging the system. You should only plug the battery in if the power supply is minimal, like less than a quarter of the total charge. Trying to charge it sooner than that could lead to overcharging, which can keep the battery from holding a charge later.

Understanding how to take care of your forklift batteries is important, especially when you're new to managing electric forklift equipment. These three tips will help you to maximize the batteries you invest in for your forklift. For more information, contact companies like U.S. Lift & Warehouse Equipment Inc.