Cold Storage for Batteries

[Nineeightyone]

So I recently got on board with the 20v Dewalt platform, and I'm having a blast. With that said, living in PA, it's getting kinda chilly here, and I know cold isn't the best for batteries, and I'd like to make mine last for as long as possible.

What's the best way to store batteries? I'd rather not have to keep them in the house if I can avoid it, I have a detached two car garage and I'd like to keep the batteries close to the tools instead of having to move between structures any time I want to use a cordless tool. I've got them in my tool box at the moment to try to shield them a little from the cold, but I know that's not going to make a huge difference.

What's a good solution to keep my batteries halfway healthy during the cold? I'm almost to the point of buying a small electric heater, setting it to 50°F, and putting it in a box with my batteries -- I just don't really like this idea because of the risk of fire and electricity usage from having a heater running more or less all day.

 

[Alpine4x4]

Cold batteries hold a charge better when being stored contrary to popular belief. They will discharge quicker when used in the cold though. They will be fine. Most problems with batteries in the cold results from a battery being constantly drawn on, say in a car with an accessory that trickles power even off, then being tasked with starting the car or an already depleted battery being asked to start a car. My cordless batteries have lived in my unheated garage for years now with no issues.

 

[Nineeightyone]

Cold batteries hold a charge better when being stored contrary to popular belief. They will discharge quicker when used in the cold though. They will be fine. Most problems with batteries in the cold results from a battery being constantly drawn on, say in a car with an accessory that trickles power even off, then being tasked with starting the car or an already depleted battery being asked to start a car. My cordless batteries have lived in my unheated garage for years now with no issues.

That's good to know, thanks! Is there anything I should be aware of in terms of battery storage, or should I just use them like any other tool and replace them as necessary?

 

[5ubtle]

The members of this board will not reach a consensus. Read this post to hear more than you care for:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=383024&highlight=cold

 

[matt_i]

My practices are to use and leave the batteries at whatever ambient is internal to my shop, usually 35F or higher. But, I take them inside the 66F house to charge them up in the winter and then remove them from the charger....I don't leave them to sit on the charger.

 

[u3b3rg33k]

Leave them at whatever state of charge that's convenient for you (not dead), and don't attempt to work them hard if below 0F or over whatever temp causes them to catch fire.

Personally I leave them on the tools in the bottom of my toolbox.

I've heard that SOME brands (makita) will kick in dead pack protection if the voltage drops crazy low and brick the pack, so that would be the thing i'd watch out for.

 

[Alpine4x4]

Best storage practice for most batteries is full charge, some like Lipos need to be stored at a storage charge, usually around half charge. I store mine out of the tool just in case there is some parasitic draw, I do not want the tool draining the pack in storage.

 

[PFSard]

BU-702: How to Store Batteries
https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_to_store_batteries

 

[Rogers954]

I store all my Milwaukee batteries 2 M-18's and 3 M-12's fully charged inside the house in my laundry room which is the entry to the garage, after a little reading and in my experience cold batteries loose power, Id rather be safe than sorry.

 

[kbeefy]

Depends on how cold your garage is. If below 40 I'd bring them in.
My shop can occasionally drop to 0, any time the batteries get cold soaked much below 30 the cold temp protection kicks in and they don't do anything until I warm them back up.

That goes for about all my Lithium packs, and most of those are dewalt/mac.

It's nice to have a couple nicads around, they don't mind the cold as much.

 

[James-W]

I keep my garage heated to 50 degrees so I don't have a problem leaving them out in the garage in the Winter. I would say if your garage gets below freezing, take your batteries into the house. It may not be necessary to do that, but personally, I would feel better doing it.

 

[shanny19]

My first fire captain, in 1988, INSISTED that the fridge was the place to store batteries, and i’ve been following orders ever since.

Please keep any scientific evidence to the contrary to yourself.

 

[jonshonda]

My first fire captain, in 1988, INSISTED that the fridge was the place to store batteries, and i’ve been following orders ever since.

Please keep any scientific evidence to the contrary to yourself.

I would agree that is a good idea for batteries that aren't rechargeable.


Do they make humadors large enough to put batteries in?