Having the right forklift battery level is an important part of your electric forklift's routine maintenance. Forklifts that use lithium-ion batteries require an appropriate water level to safely and efficiently charge. Too little water will overheat the battery. If there is too much water, it may overflow during charging and acid dilution.

Follow these four tips to help optimize the performance of your electric forklift battery.

1. Watering the forklift battery after charging

Never top up the water in the battery before charging. Additional space is required to compensate for liquid expansion when the battery is being charged. Check to make sure the water level is high enough to cover the lead plate inside the battery and fill it to the water level if necessary. However, if you fill up with water before charging, an overflow may occur. When the battery overflows, some acid will be lost inside the battery, and the battery life will be greatly shortened.

Filling up the battery after charging will help protect the battery when the water level drops. This helps prevent damage to the battery the next time you check the water.

2. Make sure the board is submerged

When charging, place the truck battery panel below the waterline. This helps to ensure that they do not overheat and dry out. If this happens, the battery may not be able to use or lose capacity. If the panel is above the waterline, add water to the top of the panel a quarter of an inch to avoid completely filling the battery.

3. Frequency of watering the forklift battery

Knowing when to add water to the forklift battery is also a key part of the regular maintenance of the forklift battery. Forklift batteries usually need to be watered once a week when used daily. Long-use or repaired batteries should be inspected after every five charge cycles. If properly maintained, the new battery can be inspected every 10 cycles during the first few years of use. To check the water level, turn on the battery and check the battery components. As described in step 2, these should be about a quarter of an inch above the component protector. If the liquid level is too low, please fill up the battery.

4. Use clean distilled water

Water which is free of impurities and has a pH between 5 and 7 is preferred. The forklift battery water should always be kept clean and pure. The use of water containing impurities (such as tap water) can cause chemical and mineral content in the battery to damage the battery.

Proper electric forklift battery maintenance is critical to keeping the battery as efficient and durable as possible. Following the right guidelines will help prevent frequent and expensive replacements and will allow you to take full advantage of the electric forklift battery. In addition to the general guidelines above, always follow the maintenance procedures listed in the truck operation and maintenance manual and the maintenance procedures provided by the battery manufacturer.