Final answer:
To jump-start a forklift with a low battery, one must connect the positive (+) cable to both positive (+) terminals of the batteries and the negative (-) cable from the forklift's negative terminal to a metal part of the donor vehicle. Then, start the donor vehicle, let it run to charge the forklift's battery, and then try starting the forklift.
Step-by-step explanation:
When jump-starting a forklift with a low battery, one should follow these steps for safety and to ensure the correct charging process:
- Connect the positive (+) cable to the positive (+) terminal of the forklift battery and the other end to the positive (+) terminal of the donor vehicle's battery.
- Connect the negative (-) cable to the negative (-) terminal of the forklift battery and the other end to a metal part of the donor vehicle's engine to serve as a ground, rather than connecting it directly to the negative terminal, which can help prevent sparks that might ignite gases around the battery.
- Start the donor vehicle and let it run for a few minutes to charge the forklift battery. This step is important as it supplies current from the donor battery to the forklift's battery, thus increasing its voltage.
- Attempt to start the forklift. If it doesn't start, repeat the process or seek professional assistance, as there might be other issues apart from a drained battery.