Battery winter storage
What is the current thinking on engine battery winter storage? We have a new battery and a battery tender under the hood of the Ford V10. Best to disconnect and store or keep he tender monitoring/cha...
Forum Discussion
Thanks Gjac, I'm a 35-year science professional, It's how I pay my bills and feed my family. Keeping a battery charged means less loss of plates and solution, meaning a longer lifespan for the battery. I admit, my batteries (agm and lead-acid) did last longer once I started keeping the stored ones on float chagers beginning in 2000.
From Battery University:
...The recommended storage temperature for most batteries is 15°C (59°F); the extreme allowable temperature is –40°C to 50°C (–40°C to 122°F) for most chemistries. While lead acid must always be kept at full-charge during storage, nickel- and lithium-based chemistries should be stored at around a 40 percent state-of-charge (SoC). This minimizes age-related capacity loss while keeping the battery operational and allowing for some self-discharge...
From Schumacher:
...Since lead-acid batteries will not freeze if kept fully charged, store your battery on a float charger, in a cool/cold place to maximize its life. A battery that has frozen is usually void of its warranty...Sulphation is a constant threat to batteries that are not fully re-charged. A layer of lead sulphate can form in these cells and inhibit the electro-chemical reaction that allows you to charge/discharge batteries. Many batteries can be saved from the recycling heap if they are kept fully charged. A battery float charger will keep your battery fully charged, without over charging...For instance, flooded cell batteries as used for automotive applications, typically use lead alloyed with Antimony* to increase their mechanical strength. However, the Antimony also increases the self-discharge rate to 8-40% per month. This is why flooded lead-acid batteries should be used often, or if this is not possible, be left on a float-charger...
From Battery University:
...The recommended storage temperature for most batteries is 15°C (59°F); the extreme allowable temperature is –40°C to 50°C (–40°C to 122°F) for most chemistries. While lead acid must always be kept at full-charge during storage, nickel- and lithium-based chemistries should be stored at around a 40 percent state-of-charge (SoC). This minimizes age-related capacity loss while keeping the battery operational and allowing for some self-discharge...
From Schumacher:
...Since lead-acid batteries will not freeze if kept fully charged, store your battery on a float charger, in a cool/cold place to maximize its life. A battery that has frozen is usually void of its warranty...Sulphation is a constant threat to batteries that are not fully re-charged. A layer of lead sulphate can form in these cells and inhibit the electro-chemical reaction that allows you to charge/discharge batteries. Many batteries can be saved from the recycling heap if they are kept fully charged. A battery float charger will keep your battery fully charged, without over charging...For instance, flooded cell batteries as used for automotive applications, typically use lead alloyed with Antimony* to increase their mechanical strength. However, the Antimony also increases the self-discharge rate to 8-40% per month. This is why flooded lead-acid batteries should be used often, or if this is not possible, be left on a float-charger...
