Forklifts are essential pieces of equipment in many industries, and their power source is a critical component of their operation. The most common type of forklift battery is the lead-acid battery.
Lead-Acid Batteries
Also known as “wet cell batteries,” lead-acid batteries are the most prevalent in the market. They generate electricity through an electrochemical reaction between lead plates and a mixture of sulfuric acid and water.
Components
The components of lead-acid batteries include:
- Battery case
- Cells
- Bars
- Plates of lead dioxide
- Cables
- A mixture of water and sulfuric acid
Lifespan
Lead-acid forklift batteries generally last between 1,000 and 1,500 cycles. That equals about 3 to 5 years with over 300 workdays per year.
Lithium-Ion Batteries
While lead-acid batteries are the most common, lithium-ion batteries are gaining popularity. They offer many benefits compared to lead-acid batteries, such as sealed cells to eliminate leaks, short charging period, no water maintenance, and environmental friendliness.
