If you’re considering extending the lease on your forklift, it’s essential to think about how you’ll keep your batteries running effectively during that period. Motive power batteries are the backbone of material handling equipment like forklifts and pallet jacks, but as they age, their performance can degrade. An extended lease can push batteries beyond their optimal life expectancy, causing equipment downtime and increased maintenance costs.
So, how can you ensure your batteries will last through the lease extension? And what are your options if they don’t? In this article, we’ll explore strategies to extend the life of your motive power batteries, as well as the alternatives Exponential Power offers if your batteries won’t make it.
How to Make Your Batteries Last Longer with an Extended Lease
If your lease extension is inevitable, you’ll want to maximize the remaining life of your batteries. Here are practical steps you can take to extend their lifespan:
- Regular Maintenance
Ensure your batteries are properly maintained. This includes watering flooded lead-acid batteries regularly, inspecting cables, connectors and contacts for wear and damage and cleaning corrosion off terminals. Poor maintenance can drastically shorten battery life. Schedule routine inspections with a service provider to catch small issues before they become big problems. - Optimized Charging Practices
Overcharging and undercharging are both harmful to battery life. Use smart chargers that prevent overcharging and ensure your charging practices are optimized for your specific battery type, whether it’s a gel battery, AGM battery, lithium, or flooded lead-acid battery. Consistent charging can extend the life of your forklift or AGV battery. - Avoid Over Discharging
Repeatedly discharging a battery below 20% can shorten its life. Confirming that the lift interrupts on your equipment are set correctly will ensure your batteries are not falling below a 20% state of charge. - Battery Equalization
For lead-acid batteries, equalization can help extend battery life. This process balances the cells, prevents sulfation, and restores battery capacity. Schedule regular equalization cycles, usually every 5 to 10 charge cycles, based on your storage battery systems’ specific needs.
What to Do If Your Batteries Won’t Last the Lease Extension
If you suspect your batteries won’t make it through the lease extension, you still have options to avoid downtime and expensive repairs. Exponential Power offers several solutions to keep your operations running smoothly:
- Repowering Your Equipment with New Batteries
One option is to replace your old batteries with new ones. Exponential Power offers a wide range of battery solutions tailored to your specific equipment, including gel batteries, AGM, and flooded lead-acid. Investing in new batteries now can prevent future problems and ensure your forklifts and AGVs run at optimal efficiency throughout the extended lease period. - Battery Rentals
If purchasing new batteries isn’t a feasible option, renting batteries can be a cost-effective solution to get through the extended lease. Exponential Power offers rental options for businesses in need of short-term solutions, allowing you to avoid a large capital investment while still maintaining equipment performance. - Battery Reconditioning
Reconditioning services may help restore some life to older batteries. While it’s not a guaranteed fix, battery reconditioning can increase capacity and extend the life of your current battery. It’s worth considering as a short-term solution, especially if new purchases or rentals aren’t ideal for your budget. - Hybrid Approach
Depending on your fleet size, you might benefit from a mix of these solutions. For example, repower some of your most-used equipment while renting batteries for backup units. This hybrid approach can help you manage costs while keeping your operations running.
Other Options for Extending Battery Life
There are also additional ways to extend battery life that can help minimize the stress on your equipment during the lease extension:
- Proper Battery Storage
If your batteries are not in use, store them in a cool, dry place, fully charged. For batteries that sit unused for long periods, it’s important to maintain a charging schedule to prevent capacity loss. - Use of Battery Management Systems (BMS)
Implementing a battery management system can provide real-time monitoring of battery health and performance. BMS solutions can alert you to potential issues before they cause major problems, allowing you to schedule timely interventions. - Upgrade Charging Equipment
Outdated or inefficient chargers can damage batteries over time. Upgrading to smart chargers with monitoring capabilities can help extend the life of your batteries by ensuring they’re charged efficiently.
Stay Ahead of the Curve with Exponential Power
At Exponential Power, we understand the importance of keeping your motive power equipment running smoothly, especially during extended leases. Whether you need new batteries, rental options, or reconditioning services, we have the solutions to fit your business’s needs. By staying proactive with battery care and choosing the right solutions, you can keep your operations running efficiently and reduce the risk of downtime. Click here to see our full line of motive power battery options.
If you’re considering extending your lease or need help managing your current batteries, contact Exponential Power for expert advice and tailored solutions.
By focusing on maintaining battery health and being aware of your replacement options, you can keep your forklifts, pallet jacks, and other material handling equipment powered up throughout the extended lease period.