battery charging

Domon

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I have two acid motorcycle batteries and 1 lifepo4 battery. I'm using the optimate lithium charger for the lifePo4 battery but on charger it says safe charge is -20 and not below that i want to keep this battery in the garage. what do you guys do with your batteries. I was considering putting them in my basement with is half finished and the family uses. any suggestions on what to do?
 
I have two acid motorcycle batteries and 1 lifepo4 battery. I'm using the optimate lithium charger for the lifePo4 battery but on charger it says safe charge is -20 and not below that i want to keep this battery in the garage. what do you guys do with your batteries. I was considering putting them in my basement with is half finished and the family uses. any suggestions on what to do?

Keeping it outside, SHOULD be fine. I've only had one battery explode on me (as per the other thread) and I've maintained 6 different ones (different bikes lol) all outside over the last 3 years.

I'm pretty sure the battery freezes when it's outside and this may eliminate or reduce discharge rates. Don't quote me on it but feel free to Google it to look for it's validity.
 
Lead acid batteries only freeze in the cold if they're discharged, say near half capacity. E.g. A lead acid at ~40% will freeze at just under -20 C. On the other hand, a topped off lead acid won't freeze until -60C (+/- for different lead acid technologies). So if you find your battery is 'dead' after storing it outside, it's because it died then froze. Consider replacing a battery that has froze solid as it most likely internally ruptured.

If you're storing a LiFePO4 for a couple weeks-months (without any load), it's recommended to actually bring it down to 40-60% capacity even for cold storage (you're data sheet will say exactly) but make sure it is warmed to operating range before putting a load on it. Depending on the charger, if it can't account for the cold (although it sounds like yours does with the -20C rating) then it will charge it as if it's room temperature... then when the battery actually warms up when you bring it into a warmer room it's voltage WILL increase and damage the cells. Your better off charging it at room temperature (give it time to warm up first before starting the charger) then cold storing.

But of course, this is all just general information. Always read the data sheet for your battery battery, otherwise call the company. You'd be surprised how informative some customer service representatives are, otherwise if they don't sound confident ask to speak with the technical staff.

Conclusion: you're safe enough storing your lead acids outside in a cold shed/garage/basement, the lithium's you must check the data sheet for coldest recommended temperature. Just make sure they have a decent charge on them before putting them there.

Note: 40-60% for LiFePO4 isn't mandatory but recommended by most manufacturers for getting that extra little bit of prolonged life. Although, do keep in mind that lower quality ones will swell/puff a bit (although still fully functional) if stored at a full charge for a prolonged time. The swelling typically resides after re-initiating regular use, but not always, hence the precaution.
 
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I take my Ballistic LiFePO4 into the house for the winter. They hold charge so ridiculously well that I don't bother to charge it in the off-season......fires the bike up on first or second crank in the spring. I agree that the life could probably be extended a bit by using Ballistic's charger to balance the cells.
 
It is always good to hold battery at home in winter season and with this we can store charging easily. I have also Ballistic LiFePO4 and i take it in to house.
 
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