How Do I Prepare a Battery for Freezing Weather?

Winter weather brings its own set of unique challenges for lithium-ion batteries. These types of batteries are used in everything from portable electronic devices to electric power tools to electric vehicles—but they don’t really do well in the cold.

If you own a lithium-ion battery, you can account for the cold by performing some battery maintenance. Practicing good lithium-ion battery maintenance in colder temperatures can keep your battery running and prevent catastrophic damage to it.

This article will cover how to prepare your battery for freezing weather this winter.

Charging

You must be careful when charging your battery in cold weather. If the temperature dips below freezing (32℉ or 0℃), refrain from charging your battery, unless you’re able to reduce the charge current. This isn’t always possible with every type of battery setup, so your best bet is to charge the battery indoors in a warm location before using it in the cold.

Try to charge your battery fully before bringing it out into the frosty air. This is because a fully-charged battery can better stand up to frigid temperatures. The freezing point for battery acid is -80℉, so as long as the temperature doesn’t dip below that and the battery is fully charged, it should be okay.

Problems arise when the battery isn’t fully charged. Trying to use a partially-charged battery in the winter can lead to more water than acid surrounding the battery plates. This can be an issue, as the liquid surrounding the battery case can freeze at around 20℉. This may cause expansion and could potentially break the battery’s case.

Water level

Another factor that can affect freezing within a battery is the amount of water left in it. You should keep it topped off because a battery with a large amount of water in it is less likely to freeze than one with a small amount of water.

Keep it clean

A key tenet of battery maintenance is to make sure that it stays clean. You should try to remove any dirt, dust or debris that has accumulated on your battery to make sure that it stays in working order.

Moisture is the enemy of any battery, and if you allow dirt and other debris to build up, it could attract moisture and reduce your battery’s lifespan and effectiveness.

When cleaning it, check for corrosion or other signs of deterioration on the cables or terminals, as these could also spell doom for your battery if left unchecked.

Battery management system

Some lithium-ion batteries come with their own battery management system (BMS). If your battery didn’t come with a BMS, you should consider investing in one. Lithium-ion battery maintenance is made easier if you have a battery management system. A BMS is sometimes referred to as the brain of the battery pack. It handles everything from monitoring the battery’s performance to ensuring that it operates within its designated safety range. Battery management systems are the ideal way to prevent damage to your battery.

Call about our batteries today

Now that you know a few tips on battery maintenance, call us at Texford Battery Co. We’re battery experts, and we offer services ranging from lithium-ion battery maintenance to charging, testing and even crafting custom batteries to suit your energy needs.

Categorised in: Battery Service

This post was written by Writer