It can be easy to think that maintaining forklift batteries involves charging them whenever there’s a spare moment, like you would with any other rechargeable battery. However, there’s much more to charging a forklift battery than you or your warehouse personnel may think.

In fact, properly charging a forklift battery on the battery charger station can have a massive impact on the lifespan and efficiency of these batteries — and the efficiency of your warehouse as a whole.

Want to help your personnel charge forklift batteries better? Here’s a brief step-by-step guide to forklift battery maintenance and charging that will help you improve your warehouse efficiency through improved battery efficiency:

Check the battery charger station’s voltage and cables

Before placing a battery on the battery charger station, examine its cables to be sure they aren’t worn away or fraying. Never charge a battery on a charger that has damaged cables! In addition, you should make sure the charger’s output voltage and Ampere Hour match up with those of the battery.

Charge the battery properly to stay within warranty

To stay within the terms of the battery’s warranty, never charge a battery more than 300 times per year. In addition, keep fast charges to a minimum — place batteries on a full eight-hour charge whenever the battery’s charge goes below 40%. When the forklift battery makes up for 30% of the cost of the entire forklift, it’s important to make sure you don’t void your warranty and to protect this investment.

Water the battery after each full charge

Forklift batteries must be watered after every full charge. Always use distilled water that’s free of minerals, as minerals can interfere with the chemical reactions that take place within the battery. Fill the water up to the perforated line; overfilling can cause the battery to overflow.

Have any other questions for us on forklift battery handling procedures that can increase forklift battery life? Ask us anything in the comments below. Check out this site for more.