How to Water a Forklift Battery

As a forklift owner or operator, it’s essential to understand the importance of proper forklift battery maintenance. One often overlooked aspect of maintaining your forklift’s battery is ensuring it stays hydrated. 

While hydrating a battery might seem counterintuitive, it’s actually very important. In this article, we’ll discuss why you need to water a forklift battery, how to do it and when it should be done. 

Why do you need to water a forklift battery?

Forklift batteries are lead-acid batteries that require water to function correctly. The water helps to maintain the electrolyte level, which is essential for the battery to generate power. Without proper watering, the battery’s performance can deteriorate, leading to reduced lift capacity, slower travel speeds and even battery failure.

When should you add water to a forklift battery?

It’s best to water your forklift battery after it has been fully charged. This is because the charging process causes the electrolyte to expand, and adding water before charging can lead to overflow. Always refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines for specific instructions on when to water your forklift battery.

How often does it need to be done?

The frequency of watering your forklift battery depends on several factors, such as the battery’s age, the environment it operates in and how often it’s used. As a general rule, you should check the electrolyte level weekly and add water as needed. However, some modern batteries may require less frequent watering. 

Consult your forklift battery charger manual or ask a professional at EMF for guidance.

What kind of water do you need?

When watering your forklift battery, always use distilled water. Tap water contains minerals that can accumulate in the battery and cause damage over time. You can purchase distilled water at most supermarkets or autocentres. Alternatively, you can invest in a water deioniser specifically designed for use with forklift battery water.

Forklift battery maintenance across the East Midlands

At East Midlands Forklifts, we understand the importance of proper forklift battery maintenance. Our team of experts provides comprehensive maintenance services for forklifts across the East Midlands, including Nottingham, Leicester, Derby and Loughborough. By entrusting your forklift maintenance to EMF, you can ensure that your battery is watered correctly and that your forklift operates at peak performance.

Contact East Midlands Forklifts today to schedule a maintenance check and learn more about our forklift battery maintenance services.