Frequently Asked Questions

When should an Industrial battery be watered?
We suggest that all batteries should be checked Monday morning following an equalize charge. Always remember to water the battery AFTER the charge is complete or there is the possibility of water over-flowing out of the battery.

How much water should I add to the Battery?
If the filling is done on Monday morning, we recommend filling to within 1/4" of the base of the vent well (neck). We also recommend the use of a Battery Watering Gun to aid you in maintaining the proper level as well as reducing the time to water.

What is that white and yellow mossy stuff on top of the battery?
That white and yellow mossy stuff is what's left of the acid that used to be in your battery. You or your lift drivers may notice a decrease in the performance of the truck if you have mossing on the battery. It is most commonly caused by over watering and which can be stopped with a watering system. Your battery may also need to be serviced to replace the lost acid.

What is an equalize charge?
Often times referred to as a weekend charge. This Charge is nothing more than an extended period of charge (2-3 hours) to aid in removing all the sulfate on the plates done during the discharge.

How often should I equalize?
You should water every weekend unless the battery is in a limited duty application. An example would be a lift that is called on to work only an hour a day. An equalize charge in that situation would only be necessary once a month.

How often should I Charge my Battery?
If your workload is very active during the day, we recommend Charging every night. If the duty is light, then we recommend charging every other day or even less frequent. Keep in mind that the least amount of charge cycles received by the Battery the longer the life of the Battery.

What is the life span of a Battery?
The average is 5-7 years depending on the duty cycle and more importantly, how well it is maintained. We have long-term customers, properly maintaining and have us service their batteries every 18 months, who are frequently getting 11 to 14 years service out of their batteries!!!

What is the best way to clean a Battery?
Spray bottles of a neutralizer/cleaner are the most effective, environmentally friendly, and easy to use.

When is a Battery vulnerable to explosion?
During the last few hours of the charge cycle is when a battery is most vulnerable to explosion. This is the time that a Battery is giving off hydrogen gas through the vent holes of the cap. Care should be given not to have a flame or metallic objects near the Battery at that time. Proper ventilation is required to help displace the gases.

How deep can I discharge my Battery?
Lead acid industrial batteries are designed to provide 80% of its total capacity. This will leave 20% capacity that should not be used or damage to the battery and the lift can result. The capacity can be determined by a "fuel gauge" mounted on the Truck. Most meters will give you some kind of warning and some lifts have a low voltage shutoff, which will prevent the mast from operating.