How often should you add water to a forklift battery?
How often should you add water to a forklift battery?
Forklift batteries typically need watering about once a week when used every day. Batteries that have been in use for an extended period of time, or are reconditioned, should be checked after every five charges. If properly maintained, new batteries can be checked every ten charges for the first few years of use.
When should I top up my forklift battery?
The fluid levels of the forklift battery are important to the health of the battery overall. If the fluid level gets too low then the plates will be exposed to the air, causing long term damage and reducing the battery efficiency considerably. Roughly speaking, fluid levels need to be topped up every 10 charges or so.
What liquid is in a forklift battery?
The “water” in the forklift battery is called electrolyte and is actually a mixture of sulfuric acid and water. During charging the battery heats up and some of the water will leave the battery cell through evaporation.
At what point in the battery charging process should you add water if the water level is below the indicator?
Water should always be added after fully charging the battery. Prior to charging, there should be enough water to cover the plates. If the battery has been discharged (partially or fully), the water level should also be above the plates.
When should water be added to a battery?
While a battery should only be filled after it is completely charged, you should also check the water level before charging to make sure there is just enough water to cover any exposed plates. After charging, add enough water to bring the level to the bottom of the vent, about ¾ below the top of the cell.
Do forklift batteries boil when charging?
Even in well-run battery rooms, there’s occasionally a forklift battery boil-over. The trouble is, water evaporates from electrolyte during use. During certain points in the charging process, bubbling gas drives acid out of the plates, making the electrolyte level rise.
Can you overfill a battery with distilled water?
If too much water was added before charging, the electrolyte levels will expand and cause the battery to overflow and damage the battery. Additionally, excessive watering of a battery can result in additional dilution of the electrolyte, resulting in reduced battery performance.
Can you use deionized water in forklift batteries?
Deionized water is created by running water over two beds of magnetically charged materials that remove the minerals from the water. Deionized water is not as pure as distilled water, but it is perfectly suitable for watering your batteries — and it is far more affordable.
