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How to store lead acid battery in cold conditions.



Winter storage of lead-acid batteries

How should batteries be stored for long periods of absence?

The submerged lead-acid battery is used for a wide variety of applications, from home inverters, golf carts, marine, RVs and recreational vehicles. During winter, it is inevitable that we cannot use them. Batteries tend to operate at higher discharge and recharge rates in warmer climates. In winter, it slows down the charging and discharging rates. At low temperatures, the liquid electrolyte may freeze if the battery is completely discharged before storage.


The most common mistake we can make is storing a flooded lead acid battery without fully charging it first. The basic chemistry in the charge/discharge reaction of a lead acid battery is activated by the electrolyte. The specific gravity of the electrolyte is lower when the battery is discharged and higher when the battery is fully charged. This is the basic principle.


Electrolyte liquid on discharge is closer to the specific gravity of water than when fully charged. Water freezes at temperatures below freezing. As the temperature drops, the freezing electrolyte expands due to the nature of water - the abnormal expansion of water (same reason a beer bottle in the freezer can break). This may cause the battery case to rupture.


Always do a power bank (usually refers to removing the battery and charging it with an external charger) and fully charge it. This brings the specific gravity of the electrolyte in the flooded battery back to its original higher level. The battery's ability to freeze acid is less.


Fully charging the battery before storing it also ensures that the battery is not immediately sulphated. Batteries can usually be safely stored for up to six months before they can cause self-discharge damage. It is a common phenomenon where the battery takes charge per week if it is seated without charging or unloading.


Good battery manufacturers often report self-circulation rates in the specifications table. Should make a refreshment fee after six months if the battery must be retained for storage. If the battery is released completely and leaves to sit, it can cause an irreversible failure mode. Start with a fully charged pin extending battery life.


Winter storage of lead-acid batteries Steps:

  • Disconnect the battery terminals from the load

  • Fully charge the battery with an external charger

  • Wipe the battery clean with a damp cloth to remove all traces of acid and Keep the upper part of the battery and the terminals clean. If there is traces of acid on the top of the cap, the leakage current of the generated path will flow continuously and drain the battery sooner.

  • It is best to keep the battery inside a sheltered area and not to expose it to the cold.The advantage of low temperature storage is a slower discharge rate

When the weather is warm again and has arrived When using the battery, please replace it with a new battery full of remuneration


For hot tropical climates like most parts of South America or Caribbean

The first step is to fully charge the battery, preferably from an external source.

Disconnect the battery terminals and keep the battery terminals and terminals clean. If there is acid on the cap tip, leakage current will flow continuously and partially discharge the battery.

Leaving the battery in the shade to prevent overheating increases the possibility of self-discharge and loss of capacity.

The battery will self-discharge. It depends on the chemical used.

If the battery is maintenance-free, self-discharge will be lower. The drop in specific gravity will be less. But a typical battery will support up to 6 months of storage without any problems.

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