Colder temperatures, in addition to affecting rates, pose the risk of freezing the electrolyte if the battery is not properly stored.
One of the most common mistakes made during the winter months is storing discharged flooded lead-acid batteries. When a Battery is discharged in extremely cold temperatures, the electrolyte freezes and expands.
Electrolyte expansion can cause the battery case to crack, resulting in a leak or total battery failure. A fully charged battery has a freezing point of approximately -80 °F, whereas a discharged battery has a freezing point of approximately 20 °F. The electrolyte is less likely to freeze and cause unexpected failures if the battery is kept fully charged during the winter months.
Why is temperature important?
Temperature is one of the most significant factors affecting battery life. When temperatures are extreme, a battery's charge capacity degrades. Keep your batteries at room temperature or below; the recommended storage temperature for most batteries is 59 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius).
Maintain humidity control
When looking for a suitable storage location, keep in mind that your batteries should be kept away from high-humidity areas. To keep them dry, use a vapor-proof container.
Examine the charge levels
Check the state of charge (SoC) of the battery before storing it; many batteries will permanently damage themselves if left discharged.
Batteries made of lead acid
Charge as frequently as possible! To avoid sulphation, store a lead-acid battery at full charge – storing a lead-acid battery at a very low charge state can cause crystal formation, which reduces capacity. The general rule is that the less a battery is discharged before it is recharged, the longer it will last.
Batteries made of lithium-ion
Partial charging is preferable to full charging; store them at approximately 50% SoC for the best results. A reserve charge is required to keep a battery and its protection circuit operational during extended storage.
Dos and Don'ts Regarding Batteries
+ Charge the batteries immediately after they have been discharged.
+ Maintain and inspect them, especially in hot weather or after a long period of use.
+ First, read the instructions and consider safety.
- Avoid using unregulated chargers.
- Do not use tap water.
- Do not add any new electrolytes.
- Try not to discharge a battery any further than necessary.
Monitoring the state of charge of the battery
We're all in agreement that keeping batteries properly maintained and fully charged all year will significantly improve their performance and lifespan. But how do we gain such command over our batteries?
Monitoring is the best and most effective solution. Keep it simple and functional, and install a battery monitoring system - it will undoubtedly save you money in the long run.
