How to store Lithium Batteries safely?

So how to store lithium batteries? Compared with lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries have the advantages of small size, light weight, environmental protection, long cycle life, high charge and discharge efficiency, and no memory effect. However, cold weather is not conducive to the performance of lithium-ion batteries.

Before answering this question, let’s take a look at how cold weather affects lithium-ion batteries?

Lithium-ion batteries are mainly used to store and release energy, but high or low temperatures can affect their ability to store and release energy. Low temperature will increase the internal resistance and reduce the capacity of the battery, a battery that can provide 100% capacity at 25°C usually only provides 50% capacity at -15°C. Therefore, lithium-ion batteries need to be charged more frequently under low temperature conditions, and lithium-ion batteries have a certain number of charge and discharge cycles before they can no longer be used. Therefore, low temperature will shorten the service life of the battery.

So how to store lithium batteries?

Keep battery terminals from touching

One of the most important steps of how to store lithium batteries is to ensure that the battery terminals do not come into contact with any metal or other battery terminals. Your batteries and the devices that contain them should be in a stable Lithium batteries cabinet, locker, or shelf that won’t be bumped or shoved by machines or people. This will prevent the battery from shifting, thus keeping the terminal unaffected. Consider using battery terminal covers where applicable for added protection. You can also keep the original packaging if that works for you. Finally, to prevent them from touching each other.

Separate batteries by age and type

Separating batteries by type simplifies the process of preventing the ends from touching. Separating batteries by their age is also an important safety measure. To make matters worse, mixing new and old batteries can be dangerous. The chemical reactions that take place inside the battery output a constant voltage. The speed of this reaction depends on the internal resistance of the battery. When the battery is used, the resistance will rise. This resistance essentially causes the battery to heat up as the new battery passes energy through the old battery, which can cause the old battery to overheat or even leak. Plus, new batteries consume energy much faster, which is far less efficient. If you keep track of how long your batteries are used, you’re more likely to get the most out of them safely. Write the label on the battery’s packaging, or leave the receipt on the battery so you can remember the date of purchase.

Clean the battery

If you don’t use the battery for a long time, the first thing you need to do is clean your battery. Dirt and corrosion may cause batteries to discharge faster and shorten battery lifespan. The surface of the battery can be gently cleaned with a mixture of baking soda and water.

Store at the proper temperature

Try to avoid exposing Li-ion batteries to temperatures below 0°C. If possible, try to store batteries in an environment around 20°C-25°C.

Regularly charge the lithium-ion battery

If possible, Lithium-ion batteries should never be fully discharged. Lithium-ion batteries have no memory effect, and if you wait to fully discharge before recharging, it will shorten the life of the battery. Try shallow charging and shallow discharging, so that the battery is in a state of shallow circulation, which is conducive to prolonging the battery life.

Avoid water vapor corrosion

If the device is not used for a long time, please take out the lithium-ion battery and put it in a dry place to avoid water vapor corrosion. At the same time, the battery stack should not be too high.