Watering Forklift Batteries

Should You Add Water To A Forklift Battery Before Or After Its Charge?

You should add water to the electric forklift battery after its charge. Typically, batteries need watering 1x / weekly.

Adding Water To The Forklift Battery

Imagine you have a full glass of water and place a sponge in it to absorb the liquid. After adding a little more water to the empty glass, squeezing the sponge back into the glass would cause it to overflow.

A similar process occurs when charging your forklift battery. Adding extra water before charging can lead to overflow, diluting the battery’s electrolytes and affecting its performance.

The Exception

There is one exception to this rule. If you check the forklift battery plates and notice they are not damp, adding water before the charge is a benefit. Dampening the top of the plates will ensure they won’t overheat and dry out during the charge, causing the forklift battery to lose capacity.

ProLift offers new industrial batteries and maintenance programs to ensure you extend their economic life. Contact us with questions!