Your source for forklift manuals!

Forklift Battery Charger – 10 charging tips for lift truck batteries


forklift battery
Charged and watered correctly, a forklift battery will last for years.
  1. Ensure the charger is correctly matched to the battery it’s charging:
    1. The charger’s output voltage must match the battery’s voltage. A 24-volt pallet truck charger should only charge a 24-volt battery. Avoid using a charger meant for a different voltage, such as using a 48-volt charger on a 36-volt battery.
    2. To determine the battery’s voltage, count the cells on top of the battery and multiply by two. For example, an 18-cell battery is 36 volts.
    3. Different SB connectors for various voltages can prevent mistakes. For instance, large red connectors typically go with 24 volts, grey with 36 volts, and blue with 48 volts, though you can establish your own color system.
    forklift battery charger
    Industrial Battery Charger for a Lift Truck
  2. Check the ampere-hour rating of the charger:
    1. The ampere-hour rating of the charger should be within 10% of the forklift battery's rating.
    2. To determine the battery's ampere-hour rating, refer to the battery model number. For example, the model "18-125-13" indicates 18 cells and 125 amps per cell.
    3. Calculate the ampere-hour rating by using the formula: (plates - 1) / 2 x amps per cell. For instance, (13 - 1) / 2 x 125 = 750 ampere-hours.
    4. Ensure the charger's spec plate shows a matching ampere-hour output and label both the battery and charger with the amp-hour rating for easy identification.
  3. Additional battery maintenance tips:
    1. Check for any damage or heat signs on battery charger cables. Heat may indicate mismatching or poor battery performance. Frayed or damaged cables should be repaired immediately.
    2. Always charge the battery after each shift to avoid leaving it in a discharged state, which could lead to sulfation.
    3. Water the battery after charging, not before. Overfilling can cause acid to spill during charging.
    4. Regularly top off the battery with distilled or deionized water to cover the plates fully.
    5. Keep a log of battery watering to support any warranty claims.
    6. Allow the battery to complete the finishing charge, where gas bubbles form, indicating near-full charge. This process helps mix the acid for even distribution across the plates.
    7. Charge the battery in a well-ventilated area, as hydrogen and oxygen gases can be explosive if they accumulate.
    8. Avoid charging batteries that are either too hot or too cold. Never charge a frozen battery or one hotter than 120°F (49°C).

No Comments Yet

Please log in to leave a comment.


Back to Blog Home