Battery Life

[Volund]

Hi,

I heard or spotted somewhere that putting batteries in the freezer prolongs
there life until needed, is this a myth or what?

 

[Rich Webb]

On Thu, 7 Oct 2004 00:47:57 +0000 (UTC), "Volund"
<simon.brown67@btinternet.com> wrote:

Hi,

I heard or spotted somewhere that putting batteries in the freezer prolongs
there life until needed, is this a myth or what?

Energy in a cell is stored in chemical bonds. Reaction rate generally
slows down with decreasing temperature, so all other things being equal,
a cold cell will have a longer shelf life than a warm cell. All things
are, of course, not equal. Some battery types will be permanently
damaged if exposed to temperatures below their minimum. Check the
manufacturer's data sheets. Generally, just above the minimum listed
storage temperature is a good target.

Interesting link http://www.verinet.com/~dlc/battery.htm

--
Rich Webb Norfolk, VA

 

[Laurence Taylor]

Rich Webb wrote:

I heard or spotted somewhere that putting batteries in the freezer prolongs
there life until needed, is this a myth or what?

Energy in a cell is stored in chemical bonds. Reaction rate generally
slows down with decreasing temperature, so all other things being equal,
a cold cell will have a longer shelf life than a warm cell. All things
are, of course, not equal. Some battery types will be permanently
damaged if exposed to temperatures below their minimum. Check the
manufacturer's data sheets. Generally, just above the minimum listed
storage temperature is a good target.

I used to "recharge" dry batteries when they were getting low by
tanding them on the hot water pipes.

rgds
LAurence

....But if I'm not who I am, who am I?

 

[John Fields]

On Thu, 7 Oct 2004 00:47:57 +0000 (UTC), "Volund"
<simon.brown67@btinternet.com> wrote:

Hi,

I heard or spotted somewhere that putting batteries in the freezer prolongs
there life until needed, is this a myth or what?

---
It's true. Putting batteries in freezers prolongs the freezers' lives.

--
John Fields

 

[Jerry G.]

This is a long past rumour.

Freezing Alkaline, NiCad, or Lithium batteries will infact damage them.
I have had clients leave very expensive equipment in their car for a few
days during sub zero temperatures (below -20). When they came out and
got their equipment, the batteries have been damaged, and had to be
replaced. In some of their equipment, the batteries are very expensive.

Freezing lead acid gel cells when fully charged may prolong their
lifespan a bit, but if they are frozen when discharged, they will be
damaged.

I have seen a discharged lead acid car battery accidentally left in -30
to -50 temperatures for about a week. The sides of the battery were all
swollen and bulging out.

As for the lifespan of batteries, they should last about 2 to 3 years on
the average. The shelf life of an alkaline battery should be about 3 to
5 years if not used. The shelf life of a NiCad or Lithium should be
about 3 years if not first charged. After charging, they would have to
be used normally for their lifespan.

As for gel cells, they must be kept charged. If they are put on the
shelf, they must be re-charged at least once every 3 to 6 months. If
they are left discharged for more than a few days, they can be damaged,
and become not useable.

______

Actually, if you put enough batteries in a freezer, you will prolong the
freezer's life. The added mass will allow for better temperature
stability, and the compressor will cycle less often to maintain the
temperature. So, if you are not able to keep a bucket of ice in the
freezer, you can use old batteries as a temperature ballast.

Another good use for old car batteries, since they are heavy, if you
have a an automobile that is too light in the rear end for good winter
driving, you can load 4 or 5 old car batteries in the trunk. This will
allow for better rear end traction for driving in the winter snow. Just
take care that there will be no acid leaks.

I know of one fellow that put a large 100 lbs bag of salt in the trunk
of his car. The bag somehow tore and a fair amount of salt came out.
With the humidity, the salt acted on the bottom of his trunk and
eventually ate out a big hole. He found out about it because he one day
noticed trails of salt in his driveway and on his street, that led back
to his car!


--

Jerry G.
======

"Volund" <simon.brown67@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:ck23ns$86h$1@sparta.btinternet.com...
Hi,

I heard or spotted somewhere that putting batteries in the freezer
prolongs
there life until needed, is this a myth or what?