Battery Storage Basics

Whatever your reasons for storing a battery, storage should be done according to manufacturer’s instructions. You could have spare batteries that you would like to keep for emergency uses or you may have a second battery that you use to trade out with a battery that you are using currently. The type of battery will affect how you should store the battery.

Sealed lead acid battery storage

These come in different types.  Manufacturers will usually give specific guidelines on how to store their batteries properly. 

• You should never store this type of battery when it is discharged. 
  
• You should also be cautious that battery storage is not in extremely high temperatures. 
  
• When you store it in a discharged state for a length of time you will find that it does not easily take on a charge when you need it.

Battery storage of other types

There are other types of batteries that can be stored for up to a year when they have a full charge.  The self discharge rate is very low for this type of battery but you should still give it some attention about six to nine months after you have put it in storage.  You should charge it then so that you can ensure that it will function for you when you are in need of it.

Spiral wrapped lead acid batteries have specific storage requirements as well.  Battery storage should be at room temperature or higher in order to keep the life of the battery at its best.  When you take it out of storage you should give it a full charge before you use it again. 

These batteries have an OCV (open circuit voltage) rating that you should pay close attention to.  When you have a measurement of 1.93 Vpc it is not at full capacity and you should charge it as soon as possible with a boost charge.

It is recommended that you boost charge these batteries a minimum of one time per year.  The manufacturer has specific guidelines that should be followed to ensure the life of the battery.  It is important that you charge the battery completely, even if the OCV is showing a reading of more than 2 Vpc.  When the battery drops down between 1.93 and 1.8 Vpc you could find that the battery has damage that is permanent and that the performance is not what it once was.

Nickel cadmium battery storage

Battery storage of nickel cadmium batteries can be with either a full charge or in a discharged state.  These batteries can be brought back to an effective position by performing one or two recharges.  You may even have to recharge it a third time if it has been in storage for a great deal of time.  There is some self discharge when this type of battery is stored, so you should store it at between 10 and 30 degrees Celsius in order not to accelerate this.

Whatever type of battery you have, if you store it in the proper way you will find that you can usually preserve its effectiveness.  Manufacturers usually provide guidelines regarding battery storage that will allow you to do just that, so make sure you follow these as closely as possible.

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