How You Can Get The Most Use From A Used Forklift Battery

Purchasing a used forklift battery is an excellent way to save money while still getting the power you need. While all batteries start off accomplishing this goal, how well you care for your used battery will have an impact on its lifespan. To get the most out of your investment and keep your forklifts functional, learn what important care tips you should keep in mind:

Don't Overcharge

In an effort to ensure the battery is fully charged and ready to go, many owners will keep their batteries on the charger when not in use. However, it's important to understand that although the battery might not be functioning in the traditional sense, it is still somewhat in use when it is on the charger.

Greater usage will only accelerate wear and ultimately shorten the lifespan. Take the approach of only charging the battery when it needs to be charged. Set a threshold that you don't let the battery go below, such as 35% and only charge when necessary.

Monitor Water Levels

Forklift batteries require a certain level of moisture to operate properly. With normal operation, the water inside the battery will keep the negative and positive plates covered and protected. However, with regular usage, the water levels start to decline over time.

As the water declines, the plates become exposed. When they are exposed for too long, they can become damaged and even fail. Should either issue arise, the battery will not work at all. Make it a habit to frequently inspect the water levels to prevent this from happening to keep your battery protected.

Avoid Fast Charges

Don't make it a regular habit to fast charge your battery. Most newer batteries come with a quick charge feature that allows you to charge the battery in a shorter amount of time than the traditional charge. It might seem like a time-saver, but this fast feature can cause the internal temperature of the battery to increase significantly, which only induces wear.

As previously stated, you don't want to keep the battery on the charger constantly, but you also don't want to rely on a quick charge when the battery is low. Finding a balance between the two will keep your battery functional while also protecting it.

You can still get quite a bit of use out of your used forklift battery, but it will take some effort on your part. Make certain you're working hard to protect your battery to get the most use from your investment. For more tips on effectively using a used battery, check out a company like http://www.uslift.com.