Overcharging VRLA batteries, however, can cause them to vent, resulting in a permanent loss of water that diminishes service life. Gel and Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) batteries are especially sensitive to overcharging because of their 'sealed' design. With a conventional battery, this can be remedied by adding more water. If the finish charge is too high, the battery may become heated, causing the electrolyte to evaporate. Overcharging: Routinely 'boost' charging the battery beyond 80 percent charge capacity causes it to overheat and dry out.Many of the leading causes of battery failures are due to improper charging, which can lead to reduced capacity and shorter life. The heart of each forklift, and of the fleet itself, is the forklift battery. In some industries, a single hour of downtime can result in losses in excess of $200,000! 2 With this in mind, it is critically important to keep your electric forklift fleet operating at peak efficiency at all times. In high-volume mechanized or industrial warehouses, that downtime has a significant impact on productivity. But when their batteries fail, downtime begins. 1 These forklifts boast serious advantages, especially in terms of emissions and onboard computing power. Today, electric forklifts represent more than 60 percent of the U.S.
