Batteries come in many shapes, sizes, and uses. It's a good idea to keep several types of batteries at home so they're easy to find when you use them. If stored properly, the battery life can be extended and the battery is not dangerous to health and easy to find when needed.
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Part 1 of 2: Saving the Battery
Step 1. Keep the battery in its original packaging, if possible
Storing the battery in its packaging ensures that it remains protected from environmental factors such as humidity. Plus, it's easy to tell the difference between new and old batteries and prevents the battery terminals from touching other metals.
Step 2. Sort batteries by brand and age
Batteries of different types or brands/manufacturers may react with each other, causing leakage or other damage. If you store disposable (non-rechargeable) batteries, do not store new and old batteries together. Use two different cases to store new and old batteries. If you have to keep them in one container, put each new type of battery in its own plastic bag.
Step 3. Check the charge level on the rechargeable battery
Many rechargeable batteries will self-destruct if they are stored uncharged. The ideal load level depends on the technology:
Lead Acid (Lead Acid)
Store fully charged to prevent sulfation which will reduce capacity. Lithium ion (Li-ion)
For best results, keep as much as 30-50% of the maximum load.
If you cannot recharge the battery within a few months, fully charge the battery before storing it. Nickel based batteries (NiMH, NiZn, NiCd)
Can be stored in all load states.
Step 4. Store the battery at a temperature of temperature or less
In most cases, any cool room away from direct sunlight can be used to store batteries. Even in fairly warm temperatures (25ºC), ordinary batteries lose only a small amount of charge each year. Storing the battery in the refrigerator (or any place where the temperature is 1–15ºC) can cause a small increase in this area, but is not really necessary unless you have no other alternative or the battery needs to be used to its maximum capacity. Some users don't like the refrigerator method because of the risk of water damage and the battery has to wait until it warms up again before using it again.
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Do not place batteries in the freezer unless recommended by the battery manufacturer.
Traditional nickel-based batteries lose their charge quickly even at low temperatures (10°C) for consumer-grade loads.
The new NiMH LSD (Low Self-Discharge) batteries are designed to maintain their charge at room temperature.
Step 5. Control humidity
Keep your battery in a vapor-tight container if it is in a high humidity environment or if there is a risk of condensation (including in the refrigerator). Alkaline batteries can be safely stored in a moderate humidity environment (35%-65% relative humidity). Most batteries are better suited in dry environments.
Step 6. Prevent electrical conduction
Your battery may start to conduct electricity if it comes into contact with other metals. This will drain the battery quickly, and create heat. Take the following steps to prevent problems and reduce the risk of fire:
- Do not store the battery in a metal case. Use a plastic, sealable container or a special box to store the battery.
- Do not store coins or other metal in the battery case.
- Position the battery so that the positive terminal does not touch the negative terminal of another battery. To be sure, cover the terminals with tape or plastic caps.
Part 2 of 2: Caring for Rechargeable Batteries
Step 1. Recharge lead acid and lithium ion batteries regularly
Storing the battery in a very low charge state can cause permanent crystal formation (sulfation) which reduces the battery capacity. Low charge lithium ion batteries can lead to a copper structure that shorts out the battery making it very dangerous to use. The charging guide depends on the battery design used. Read and follow this guide if you don't have the battery manufacturer's guide:
Lead acid
Fully charge whenever the voltage drops below 2.07 volts/cell (12.42 V for a 12 V battery).
Usually the battery can be charged once every six months. Lithium ion battery (Li-ion)
Recharge to 30–50% capacity whenever the voltage drops below 2.5 V/cell. Do not charge the battery if the voltage drops to 1.5 V/cell.
Usually, the battery is enough to charge once per month.
Step 2. Recover a battery that has lost charge
If the charge level of the rechargeable battery is very low for several days, it is likely that you will need special care before you can use it again.:
Lead acid
The battery will normally recharge, but its capacity is permanently reduced. If the lead acid battery won't charge, apply a small amount of current at high voltage (~5V) for two hours.
We recommend that you do not use an Anti-sulfation device without an experienced operator. Lithium ion (Li-ion)
The battery may enter “sleep mode” and cannot be recharged. Use a charger with a “boost” feature, and be careful when applying voltage with the correct polarity.
Never push a battery whose voltage is below 1.5V/Cell for a week or more as it can be permanently damaged and dangerous during use. Nickel-based (NiMH, NiZn, NiCd)
No big deal. Some types of batteries require several full charges and discharges before returning to their initial capacity.
For large scale applications, consider using a battery analyzer that can “recondition” the battery.
