Battery Storage Tips

Batteries are incredible things. Their portable power allows us to operate devices of all types and sizes far from the power grid. They've become such an indelible part of our life that it's hard to imagine where we'd be without batteries. Batteries power our cell phones, vehicles, medical equipment, and so much more. But as useful as they are, there are times when they need to be stored and not used. For those times, make sure you follow the following these battery storage tips to ensure that when you do need to use them again, they'll perform just as well as they did when you stored them:

The Top Battery Storage Tips

• Remove or disconnect batteries fully from equipment. Any battery-operated item you are needing to put in storage or don't plan on using for awhile should have the batteries removed or disconnected prior to storage. They should also be fully charged before they are discharged and put away, especially for a power chair or scooter. Removing batteries is important to prevent slow battery drain from the batteries into the equipment, thereby extending their lives and preventing possible equipment damages. 
• Choose a cool and dry environment. Corrosion is one of the biggest dangers of battery storage and the best way to prevent corrosion is by storing batteries in a cool place with low humidity. Batteries should also be kept out of the sunlight, as direct sun exposure can drain the batteries. Therefore, the best place to keep batteries is in a cool, dark, and dry place such as a climate-controlled storage system. Always prevent temperature and humidity extremes. 
• Keep batteries isolated and contained. If you have to store multiple batteries in one location, it's important to separate them with non-conductive materials like cardboard. The ideal storage set-up is placing them back in their original packaging materials. The importance of isolating batteries is due to preventing the cathodes and anodes (the positive and negative terminals) from connecting with anything that will cause a power drain. If you're at all unsure of your battery storage set-up, consider purchasing a battery storage box. Battery storage boxes come in all shapes and sizes and will ensure that batteries stored within are kept free of moisture. 
• Check the manufacturer's recommendations for rechargeable batteries. All batteries that can be recharged will have set recommendations for what percent charge they should be kept stored at and for how long between storages. This will ensure your battery doesn't discharge into its red zone (the zone at which batteries will be unable to return to previous performance). MK Batteries should always be stored fully charged. Our VRLA gel and AGM batteries (when fully charged) can hold their charge for up to six months. However, batteries should always be recharged before use, and checked once a month. 

Learn More About Your Batteries at MK Battery

If you need help picking out your next battery, our team at MK Battery is for you. Contact us today to talk with one of our friendly representatives to learn more and get an estimate.