Maintenance of the traction batteries %

Traction batteries in forklift trucks require proper maintenance to prolong their service life and avoid costly breakdowns. These maintenance tasks are essential to keep the battery and the forklift truck in good working order.

Since a proper maintenance of the battery is essential to make it more efficient and profitable, the following are some recommendations for the proper operation and maintenance of traction batteries:

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Tips and recommendations

Proper charging: It is important to use a battery charger suitable in voltage and Ah output for the traction battery. Otherwise the charges will not be correct and the battery will be damaged very fast.
In addition, it is recommended not to discharge the battery more than 80% of its capacity and to put it on charge before it reaches this point. But neither should we overcharge it when it is above 70% of its capacity, since this overcharging can cause the battery to suffer from a possible excess of temperature.

2. Do not leave the battery discharged: Batteries cannot be left discharged for long periods of time, as this will damage the plates and shorten their service life. Therefore, the most advisable thing is to charge the battery as soon as possible after its discharge.

Preventive maintenance: It is important to perform preventive maintenance on the traction battery to avoid costly breakdowns. To do so, it is recommended to check the charging terminals and connectors, keep the battery clean and dry, and perform an equalization charge to equalize the densities of all the elements. The case should also be kept clean and dry. This will help to avoid current losses, thus achieving a better performance of the battery.

4. Not to add acid for the maintenance of the traction batteries: Never, under no circumstances, acid should be added to the traction batteries. If a loss of electrolytes should occur by accident, then it should be filled with distilled or deionized water and after that notify to the technical service so that they can solve the problem as soon as possible.

5. Control the electrolyte level: To maintain the correct use of this type of batteries it is necessary to control the electrolyte levels. For it, it is necessary to refill only with distilled or deionized water. But never with tap water. Because if this condition is not fulfilled, the useful life of the battery can be reduced or can cause damages to this one. The level of electrolyte will have to be always for the level that marks the basket of the plug or in its defect, we must adjust the level of water until covering the lead plates 2 cm approximately. If the level of electrolyte is superior to the maximum indicated it is possible that in the next load there is projection to the outside and therefore a loss of electrolyte takes place with the cause of loss of density of the elements of the battery.

TABLE OF DENSITIES AS A FUNCTION OF THE STATE OF DISCHARGE

Discharge status in %	0	20	40	60	80	90
Minimum density in gr/L	1280	1240	1210	1178	1180	1120

Other useful tips to observe would be the following:

Safety first: Before performing any maintenance, make sure to turn off the truck and disconnect the battery to avoid any electrical hazards.
Regular cleaning: The battery should be kept clean and free of dust, dirt and debris. Use a soft bristle brush and a damp cloth to clean the battery casing, terminals and cables.
Visual inspection: Perform a visual inspection of the battery to identify possible damage, corrosion or leaks. If any problems are observed, it is important to address them immediately or contact a specialized technician.
Checking water levels: If the battery is of the lead-acid type, check the water levels in the cells regularly. Make sure that the levels are between the maximum and minimum marks indicated by the manufacturer. And if necessary, add distilled or deionized water to maintain proper levels.
Checking the connectors: Check that the battery connectors are clean, tight and in good condition. If corrosion is present, use a wire brush or a solution of baking soda and water to clean the terminals and connectors.
Proper charging: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to charge the battery correctly and safely. Avoid overcharging or completely discharging the battery, as this may affect its performance and life.
Proper storage: If the battery needs to be stored for an extended period of time, be sure to store it in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place. Before storage, fully charge the battery and perform periodic maintenance charging according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Professional maintenance: It is always advisable to have regular maintenance performed by a battery technician. They can perform capacity tests, more detailed inspections and provide specific recommendations for any battery model.

Remember that these tips are general and may vary depending on the type of battery and the manufacturer’s recommendations. It is important to consult the electric forklift truck and battery user manual for specific maintenance instructions.