Why is it important to wash forklift battery

Overview:

Forklift Battery Wash In many workplaces, forklifts lift and lift things that cannot be carried or lifted by hand. While forklifts are of great benefit to warehouse efficiency, they also require a lot of maintenance to ensure they work properly.

This is especially true for the forklift batteries that power each forklift. Forklift battery maintenance is a multi-faceted process, including extraction, charging, watering, etc. One of the most essential forklift battery handling procedures? Clean the battery properly.

Why is it important to clean forklift batteries

But why is it important to clean forklift batteries? Here are the three best reasons to enforce proper forklift battery cleaning in every warehouse:

Forklift battery watering is essential to maintain battery life

Forklift batteries are basically sheets of lead soaked in acid; The ions released by the interaction of these two components are the substances that generate the forklift battery chargers. However, this chemical reaction can also cause buildup in and around battery terminals. This buildup shortens battery life — ideally about 6,000 hours — and can even cause the battery to lose power when not in use.

Regular washing of each forklift battery helps prevent accidents

Neglecting to properly wash forklift batteries can create unnecessary safety hazards for people in the workplace. Even if people are properly protected, the external buildup of battery chemicals can cause chemical burns! Wash each forklift battery at the recommended frequency to ensure that all personnel are protected from these chemicals.

Watering the forklift battery prevents corrosion

The lead-acid batteries that power forklifts suffer from some corrosion in everyday use. Corrosion is harmful to any battery because it inhibits the connection between the battery terminal and its cable, leading to damage over time. However, this can easily be avoided by regularly and appropriately participating in forklift battery cleaning.

Tips for effective forklift battery maintenance

Read on to learn some useful industry standard forklift battery maintenance tips to help extend the life and performance of material handling equipment.

Proper maintenance of your material handling equipment ensures its useful life and reduces the need for parts replacement and repair. Forklift batteries require specific types of routine maintenance to improve and maximize their performance levels. When servicing forklift batteries, material handling equipment specialists recommend that the following functions be performed periodically.

Proper battery watering

It is important to maintain proper water level in the forklift battery. Excessive water loss can cause oxidation of the battery and lead to a significant reduction in charging capacity, sustainability, and battery life.

Please be sure to water the forklift battery every week or every two weeks depending on the frequency of use. Avoid topping up the battery with water, as this can cause the battery to leak and damage your device. Use only pure deionized distilled water. Batteries contain electrolytes that expand when exposed to water. This can cause spills if too much water is added. To prevent expansion of the electrolyte, only add water and half after completing the charging cycle.

Perform balanced charging

Forklift batteries usually take about 8 hours to recharge. However, as use continues over time, some batteries may lose their ability to remain fully charged while others remain at the same charge. This unbalanced charging capacity can reduce the efficiency and function of forklift batteries.

The solution is to perform balanced charging. This extends 3 hours to the normal charging time. During this time, charging power is reduced, but the remaining depleted batteries continue to be charged at a slower rate until they reach their full charging capacity, rather than being lightly charged or undercharged. This will improve the performance of forklift batteries.

Battery storage： Store batteries at proper temperature

Forklifts can be used in quite extreme environments, so the temperature of the battery must be considered when using them. Keep the battery at a safe temperature not exceeding 113? , will help prolong its service life. Ensure adequate air circulation in and around the battery compartment for optimal cooling. Check all battery connections for wear and damage. Keep in mind that batteries contain harmful chemicals, generate heat when charged, produce harmful gases and spill acid. Proper handling and procedures are essential to extend the service life of equipment and provide safe working conditions for employees.

Proper battery maintenance of forklift batteries requires special tools and personal protective equipment to do the job properly.

Conclusion:

When proper forklift battery washing methods and procedures are followed, the workplace as a whole can be more efficient and practical — and its personnel safer. Forklift batteries need proper maintenance to maximize their service quality and service life. With proper maintenance, forklift batteries can last up to 5 years before they need to be replaced according to charging and frequency of use. With an average of about 2,000 charging cycles, this can save you a lot of time and money in replacing batteries or forklifts. Scheduling routine maintenance and performance checks will help you keep track of the functionality of your material handling equipment and is a key factor in protecting your investment.