Basics of proper car battery storage

In the warm season, the vast majority of car owners use their four-wheeled friend quite actively, but with the onset of cold weather, many of them park the car or sharply reduce the number of trips.

The most serious problem for a car when it is idle for a long time is a drop in battery capacity. In winter, it is aggravated due to negative temperatures, leading to an increase in self-discharge current. As a result, the battery will, at best, be completely discharged, and if left in this state, it will simply “die”. Alas, such situations occur with enviable regularity. How to avoid such a fate?

Battery storage rules

A battery is a miniature electrochemical laboratory, the main active ingredient of which is an electrolyte poured into separate sections.

In the absence of external consumers, theoretically, the battery charge should be maintained indefinitely, but in practice there is a self-discharge current, which leads to a slow loss of capacity. Violation of the rules of operation and storage of batteries accelerates this process, and completely discharged batteries are susceptible to destruction of the plates without the possibility of their restoration. This is why when storing batteries it is so important to follow general rules to minimize self-discharge processes:

• it is necessary to keep the battery in a strictly horizontal position, and only in rooms with ventilation, natural or forced;
• keeping the batteries at a low temperature helps slow down the chemical reactions of self-discharge;
• if you plan to store the battery for long-term storage, charge it to a density of at least 1.26-1.27 g/cm3, while the open circuit potential difference across the electrodes should be at least 12.6 V;
• Under no circumstances should you drain the electrolyte;
• Repeated refills reduce the battery capacity, but there is a conservation mode that involves draining the electrolyte according to a certain algorithm and replacing it with another electrochemical liquid - boric acid.

It is not recommended to leave batteries unattended for a long time, and for new batteries this period is one year, after which the inspection interval must be reduced to 3 months. Remember that completely dead batteries are quickly destroyed due to sulfation of the plates, which slows down the processes of ion exchange between the positive and negative plates.

Operating principle and main types of car batteries

Before moving on to the storage conditions and rules, we will understand the principle of operation of a lead-acid battery, and also list the main types of batteries. The device consists of six compartments (cans) containing a certain number of lead plates. They act as electrodes. The container is filled with electrolyte - a liquid that consists of 65% distilled water and 35% sulfuric acid. Such proportions are very important for the proper operation of the battery.

Electric current is generated by a chemical reaction between lead and sulfuric acid in a liquid. The result is lead sulfate (salt). During operation, when the battery powers consumers and is discharged, lead sulfate settles on the plates. This process is called sulfation. When charging the battery, the process occurs in the opposite direction. The concentration of sulfuric acid increases.

The principle of operation of the battery

This is why you should not allow the battery to completely discharge to zero. The salt “sticks” to the plates and the reverse process cannot be started. The battery becomes unusable or significantly loses capacity. The capacity and density of the electrolyte are important concepts that are measured with special instruments.

Let's briefly look at the main types of batteries:

1. Antimony. In this type of acid battery, the lead plates contain more than 5% antimony to increase their strength. Due to the too intense sulfation process, distilled water has to be added frequently. At the moment, such batteries are already outdated and practically not used.

1. Low antimony. The plates contain less than 5% antimony. This increases the storage time and the charge lasts longer. But water loss is still present.

1. Calcium (Ca/Ca). Calcium is added to the lead plates. This made it possible to significantly reduce water evaporation. Capacity and efficiency are almost 70% greater compared to antimony ones. But such batteries are sensitive to discharge. Several discharges can damage the battery.

1. Hybrid (Ca+, Ca/Sb). Positive lead plates contain antimony, and negative lead plates contain calcium. This type of battery has average characteristics, but is more resistant to deep discharge.
2. Gel (Gel, AGM). The electrolyte in this type of battery is in the form of a gel, which increases reliability and safety. Gel devices are very resistant to self-discharge and can withstand up to 200 discharge/charge cycles. Gives a constant high starting current. The downside is the need for a special charger with low currents.

Where to store the battery

We figured out how to store it. But where is a question that worries many, especially in winter. Garage or apartment? Let's figure it out.

It doesn't matter where the battery is located. The main thing is that certain requirements for temperature conditions (everyone already knows about this), humidity and illumination are met.

We’ll talk about temperature a little later, but now we’ll tell you why humidity and light levels are important.

It turns out that dry air is a favorable environment for batteries. The drier it is, the slower the discharge will occur. Why is this happening? Humid air promotes condensation, which forms a conductive bridge between the battery electrodes. Even if it is extremely insignificant, it makes its contribution to accelerating the discharge process.

As for lighting conditions, the ideal solution would be a darkened storage location. Why? Everything is simple here: when direct sunlight hits the battery case, the plastic dries out, becomes brittle and prone to cracking.

Now about the temperature. It is believed that frosts down to minus 10 degrees are not harmful to the battery, but at temperatures above plus 10 degrees, self-discharge processes occur more intensely. So indicators in this range are considered optimal.

It turns out that the answer to the question whether it is possible to store a car battery at home, in an apartment, will be positive in rare cases. There may be problems with both temperature and lighting. And the humidity in residential areas is usually higher than in non-residential ones.

On the other hand, an unheated garage in regions with harsh winters is also not an option. A leaking roof will also not be conducive to long-term storage of the battery, so the ideal place for this would be a closet, balcony, basement or storage room.

Instructions for collection, storage, accounting and recycling of used batteries

1.1. Hazard class II waste (highly hazardous)

— used batteries with unfilled electrolyte are subject to collection, storage, accounting and recycling.

1.2. Used battery

– a battery that cannot be used for its intended purpose and must be disposed of.

1.3. Sulfuric acid, which is found in a used battery, is dangerous for the environment due to acid poisoning. Pollution with acid and lead (which is also contained in used batteries) is hardly reparable and has a negative impact not only on the environment, but also on the human body - lead poisoning (overexcitability, fatigue of the body).

Storage conditions for used batteries

2.1. Collection of used batteries is carried out at the place of their generation. Collection is carried out separately from other production and consumption waste.

2.2. When collecting used batteries, you must ensure that the battery is sealed to avoid leakage of electrolyte (make sure that all plugs are tightly closed and tightened).

2.3. Used batteries should not be subjected to mechanical stress.

2.4. Used batteries must be stored in a specially designed room. The premises must be located away from administrative buildings.

2.5. Used batteries, as hazard class II waste, are stored in closed containers (metallic barrel, metallic container, wooden box, etc.), which must be placed on a special pallet that prevents spillage of electrolyte (the edges of the pallet are at least 5 cm).

2.6. In a room intended for storing used batteries, the floor must be made of a material that is resistant to chemical attack and must not allow the sorption of harmful substances (acid-resistant).

2.7. The room intended for storing used batteries must be ventilated. A supply and exhaust ventilation system must be provided.

2.8. Prevent water and foreign objects from entering the container and room intended for storing used batteries.

2.9. Drain electrolyte from a used battery only on a tray to avoid the possibility of spillage and contamination of the operating environment.

2.10. To eliminate a possible emergency situation associated with an electrolyte spill, it is necessary to provide the required amount of lime, soda, and water for neutralization in the storage room.

2.11. In case of electrolyte spillage, the spilled electrolyte should be covered with sawdust, then the sawdust should be collected and removed from the room. Neutralize the areas where the electrolyte has been spilled with a solution of soda ash, then rinse with water and wipe dry with a rag. All work must be done with gloves. Before removing the electrolyte into the sewer, it should be neutralized with a solution of soda ash.

2.12. PROHIBITED:

Storage in places where children have access; Storage on the ground and in the open air; Storage together with other waste.

Accounting for used batteries

3.1. Accounting for the presence and movement of used batteries is organized at all enterprises (organizations, institutions) regardless of the form of ownership and departmental affiliation.

3.2. Accounting is kept in a special journal, where the movement of entire batteries and used batteries is necessarily recorded. An approximate form of a journal for recording the movement of batteries and lead-containing products at the enterprise is given in Appendix No. 3.1.

3.3. The pages of the magazine should be numbered, laced and stapled.

3.4. The accounting log must be filled out by the responsible person (at the industrial base, at the construction site). Data on received intact and used batteries is entered. The brand of the battery, quantity, date of acceptance and the person who brought the battery must be indicated.

Procedure for delivery and transportation of used batteries

4.1. Used batteries are handed over for recycling to ________________________________________________

(organization to which waste is transferred)

as it accumulates, but at least once during the reporting period.

4.2. Used batteries are accepted cleaned of dirt and debris.

4.3. Transportation of used batteries to the warehouse ________________________________________________

How to store a car battery

Finally, let's consider the question of how to store a car battery. Removing it from the car and simply placing it on the floor in a suitable place is not an option, since before this it is necessary to perform some manipulations on the battery to help extend its preservation period.

The first rule is that the battery must be charged to a voltage at the terminal terminals that lies in the range of 12.4-12.6 V. Rule No. 2 - rid the battery case and terminals of dirt, engine oil, electrolyte residues and other contaminants, of which there are plenty in the engine compartment . Pay special attention to the cleanliness of the terminals themselves and the space between them. After cleaning, be sure to wipe these places with a dry cloth to protect the power source from conductive bridges.

The third rule is to lubricate the terminals with grease or technical petroleum jelly after the first two manipulations - they will protect the metal from oxidation.

Finally, make sure that the battery is in a strictly horizontal plane. Any tilt can expose the plates, and they will begin to rapidly collapse. Such a scenario cannot be allowed to happen.

The level of self-discharge of a car battery within 1%/month is considered normal. At this rate, nothing will happen to your battery over the winter, and in the spring you won’t even notice that it has stood for three long months.

Conditions for saving the battery

The battery must be stored at positive temperatures. Optimal - at 10-12℃. Maximum allowed limit: 20℃.

It is important to avoid sudden temperature changes, as this will negatively affect battery performance.

A dark, cool, ventilated place is best for batteries. When exposed to sunlight, sealing gaskets lose their performance characteristics.

The device must not be turned over or placed horizontally. Place the device only on a level place, avoiding tilting to the side and changing the electrolyte level in the jars.

During storage, the solution must completely cover the plates, this is the only way they will not lose their properties.

Do not place any objects on the battery. This may cause damage.

A battery that has not been maintained for a long time and is not used in a car must be charged, its technical condition checked: the level of electrolyte in the banks, and the metal parts cleaned of oxide.

When storing alkaline (Ni-mh, Ni-cd) and acid (lead) batteries simultaneously, they cannot be placed together.

It is necessary to regularly clean batteries from salt deposits that form on the terminals and plates.

Features of storing a new battery

It happens that a power source has been purchased, but the car owner is in no hurry to install it, because he wants to get the most out of the old battery.

How to properly store a new car battery?

Let's start with the fact that today you can find on sale both batteries fully filled with electrolyte and dry-charged ones. There are no special recommendations regarding the storage of the latter; it is enough that the room is dry, ventilated and without direct sunlight on the battery.

Additional conditions apply to batteries with electrolyte:

• the device must be charged;
• it must be placed horizontally;
• Ventilation is added to other conditions of the room;
• During storage, it is periodically necessary to monitor the level of charge and density and, if necessary, adjust them.

Using modern technologies for manufacturing car batteries, new products have a high charge retention period after initial charging and are characterized by a low self-discharge rate, and if the seller stores the battery in a warehouse where the above requirements are met, the battery will correspond to the manufacturer’s declared indicators for a long time.

By the way, the warranty period does not start from the date of manufacture of the battery, but from the moment of sale to the end consumer, so manufacturers are interested in improving the infrastructure regarding the supply of products to dealers.

If you buy a battery, look at the date of its manufacture: maximum recommended periods for car batteries:

• calcium – 18 months;
• hybrid – 12 months;
• dry charged – 36 months.

But don't stop there, ask the seller to measure the NRC and also test the battery for sulfation.

What affects shelf life?

The condition and performance characteristics of a car battery depend on the following factors:

1. Degree of wear . The longer it is used, the faster the capacity is lost. Typically the service life does not exceed 10 years.
2. Charge level . It must be stored in a charged state for a long time.
3. Temperature . Needs to be kept in a relatively cool place, not too hot or cold.
4. Humidity . Must be in a dry, well-ventilated place.
5. Construction type . Different types of batteries have different expiration and storage periods.

Is it permissible to store the battery in the cold?

The question of where it is best to store a car battery in winter is still unclear among a certain part of motorists. It is known that a very cooled electrolyte does not exhibit electrochemical activity, which is why starting the engine in cold weather is much more difficult. But from the point of view of reducing self-discharge, low temperatures are a blessing. The main thing is to charge the battery to the maximum before storing it.

But too low temperatures are harmful to the battery - they cause water to freeze, which causes the conductivity of the electrolyte to sharply decrease and the process of sulfation of the plates to accelerate. To save the battery from such problems, it is insulated. The simplest and most effective means for these purposes can be called a thermal cover - such accessories are sold in car dealerships. As an additional measure, insulation of the engine compartment on the radiator grille side is used. We should not forget that winter storage of a car battery requires more frequent monitoring of its condition.

We have already told you above at what temperature it is permissible to store a car battery, but let us recall these numbers for better remembering: from -10ºС to +10ºС.

In what condition is it better to store the battery?

The fact that new dry-charged batteries have a three times longer shelf life does not mean that when putting an already used battery into long-term storage, you can drain the electrolyte - this will lead to the rapid death of the device. A long battery idle time in a discharged state will lead to the same results.

How to store the battery, charged or discharged, what the operating voltage should be, electrolyte density, leakage current - all this information is given in the instructions for the battery.

A prerequisite is the cleanliness of the case, terminals and battery cover, and the absence of leaks of technical fluids. The battery must be installed in a place to prevent damage from accidental impacts.

Preparation for use after storage

In the spring, if the battery has been standing for a long time, you will need to clean the terminals and charge the battery to maximum.

If the battery is old, then after a long break in use, electrolyte decomposition products could form in it. Therefore, before installing it in the machine, it must be rinsed with clean distilled water.

To do this you need:

• charge the battery to the maximum level;
• carefully (not completely!) drain the electrolyte, being careful not to damage the terminals and prevent the battery from shorting;
• rinse with clean water to remove dirt;
• let dry;
• pour the electrolyte into the container and close the caps tightly;
• insert into the car.

In order for the battery to recover after storage, you need to drive the car for 1-1.5 hours.

How long can you store a car battery without recharging?

The self-discharge rate of a battery is a dynamic value, depending on many parameters: battery type, residual capacity, service life, etc. If we are talking about new batteries that have never been installed in a car, then we talked above about the shelf life of such batteries before use. As for batteries that have served for no more than 12 months, during their storage the main indicators must be monitored every three months.

For older batteries, this period decreases according to the age of the battery. If the storage conditions are not very suitable (high humidity, too low or high temperature), self-discharge occurs faster, and therefore the condition of the device needs to be monitored more often.

But there is a proven method that allows you to store car batteries for a long time without the need to control parameters. We are talking about replacing the electrolyte with a solution of boric acid. The procedure itself is simple, but requires care:

• slowly drain the electrolyte from a fully charged battery;
• rinse the jars with distilled water;
• Fill in a solution of boric acid in the same volume as the electrolyte.

The shelf life of a battery with boric acid at a temperature of about 0°C without recharging is several years; at other temperature conditions it decreases. Other storage conditions do not differ from standard ones.

Dry or wet

To begin with, I want to say a few words about new batteries, which are better, dry-charged or “wet” version? Of course, it’s not entirely on topic, but it’s worth mentioning; still, many people ask me - how are new batteries stored?

“Dry” - as a rule, these are old, serviceable batteries; they were stored dry in warehouses for quite a long time. That is, there was no electrolyte inside and the battery was in a dark, dry and warm room. Such batteries could be stored for quite a long time, the only disadvantages are the oxidation of the plates (although they are made of lead, they are metal), however, if certain conditions are maintained - low humidity and a temperature of about 15 degrees Celsius, then such options could be stored for several years.

“Wet” or “tucked” is a modern option. That is, the battery has already been filled with electrolyte, it is charged, and it is sealed on top - this is a maintenance-free option. It is much more difficult to store them; firstly, you need to monitor the density of the electrolyte so that it does not fall (fortunately, modern batteries have special “ green eyes ”). Secondly, you must always monitor the voltage level; you should not allow a discharge even to 12 Volts, this can provoke sulfation. Thirdly, the electrolyte, of course, cannot evaporate (due to the fact that the jars are sealed), but sulfuric acid due to prolonged inactivity, this is also not very good.

Of course, a maintenance-free option is ideal for the end user; there is no need to “steam”, pour distilled water into jars, and there is practically no need to monitor it; set it and forget it for 3 to 5 years. BUT before selling such batteries, you also need to track them and ideally, they should have been released a month or two or three ago. Otherwise, you can take last year’s one, which was not stored correctly, this can reduce its capacity, even if not used for its intended purpose.