Best Practices FAQs

It’s very important, and the customer’s responsibility, to inspect all products shipped from the manufacturer prior to signing for them. If damage did occur during the freight process, you would need to submit a claim with the freight company, not the manufacturer. Typically, battery manufacturers are not responsible for items damaged in freight. Make sure to physically assess the packaging (starting during un-banding of the freight) and the product for damage and document any issues with the freight company prior to acceptance. We’ve seen many occasions where the product arrives damaged in packaging other than the original packaging the battery company used (which is very specific). This usually means something happened in transit and the freight company repackaged the product.

In most cases, no. It’s best not to go more than two days without charging your battery because chemicals in the battery need to be mixed regularly for optimum performance. Allowing the battery to sit in a partially discharged state can cause irreversible damage over time and shorten battery life. It’s likely that the amount of power the battery provides exceeds the demands of your application and a different battery may suit your needs better. TMS can help you weigh options when it’s time for a battery replacement.  

Water is consumed during the battery charging process, plus, water evaporates over time. Traditional forklift batteries require weekly watering checks but you should only add water if the battery is fully charged and when it’s needed. You may need to water older batteries and refurbished batteries more frequently. Get more battery watering tips on our Preventive Maintenance page.