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?
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:
- 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 At the moment, such batteries are already outdated and practically not used.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Battery storage rules. How to extend battery life
Battery storage. When batteries are stored, they self-discharge, the rate of which mainly depends on the temperature of the electrolyte during storage, the service life of the battery before storing it, as well as the design features of the battery itself, such as the alloy of the plates and their design. Batteries made using calcium and silver technology have a low self-discharge rate, but nevertheless, if a certain temperature regime is not observed during storage, they can discharge quite quickly. Before storing, any battery must be cleaned of dirt and dust and wiped dry in order to prevent the appearance of conductive bridges between the positive and negative terminals of the battery, and it is better to treat the terminals with a special lubricant to prevent their oxidation. It is also necessary, before storing, to charge the battery, check the level and density of the battery and, if necessary, bring these indicators to normal. Batteries should be stored at sub-zero temperatures, since at this temperature the processes of self-discharge and corrosion of the positive electrodes are significantly slowed down. The optimal battery storage temperature is from -15 to -8 degrees Celsius. In this mode, batteries made of lead-calcium alloys will be discharged in a year by 40%, low-antimony ones by 50%, and conventional batteries by 55-60%. Operation of rechargeable batteries. Battery life largely depends on proper use of the battery, as well as on timely maintenance. Maintenance-free batteries, as a rule, have a battery charge indicator and all maintenance usually comes down to periodic visual inspection of the battery:
- detection of electrolyte leaks;
- monitoring the battery charge level by changing the color of the charge indicator;
- external cleaning of the battery from dirt and dust;
- checking the reliability of fastening the battery to the car body;
- checking the positive and negative terminals of the battery for the degree of oxidation.
For modern maintenance-free batteries, maintenance must be performed once every 2-3 months and if any deviations from the norm are detected, measures should be taken as soon as possible to eliminate the identified defects. So, the oxidized positive and negative terminals are cleaned with a metal brush or a special device. The battery case is cleaned of dirt and dust using a rag; if there is high humidity and condensation forms on the case, it should also be wiped dry. If the battery is not securely fastened to the car body, the fastening nuts or bolts need to be tightened, and if the fasteners break, they should be replaced. Long-term operation of a car with an insecurely fastened battery leads to its vibrations and, as a result, increases the risk of shedding of the active mass of the plates, the appearance of cracks in the case and the leakage of electrolyte and disruption of electrical contact. You can try to eliminate battery leaks using epoxy acid-resistant cold welding on plastic. But it should be borne in mind that maintenance-free batteries do not have plugs for adding water, and therefore it is not possible to top it up and bring the electrolyte level to normal.
Monitoring the condition of serviced batteries comes down to the following:
- detection of electrolyte leaks and timely addition of water to the battery;
- monitoring electrolyte density and bringing it to normal;
- external cleaning of the battery from dirt and dust;
- checking the reliability of fastening the battery to the car body;
- checking the positive and negative terminals of the battery for the degree of oxidation.
Only distilled water should be added to the battery and it is strictly forbidden to add electrolyte. The density of the electrolyte is measured using a hydrometer, then the density is adjusted. It is carried out either by adding distilled water, or, if the density is too low, by pouring in a new electrolyte while completely removing the old one without turning the battery over, since the crumbled active mass of the plates, sludge and sediment will fall on the upper edges of the electrodes, which will cause an internal short circuit in the battery and will damage the battery. Repairing such a battery is impossible and it will need to be replaced with a new one. To do this, you need to pump out the old electrolyte using a rubber bulb and prepare a new one in a separate acid-resistant container. The electrolyte is prepared in the required proportions from battery sulfuric acid and distilled water, then it should be poured into the battery. When operating a battery in winter, a decrease in the density of the electrolyte leads to a change in the freezing temperature of the electrolyte in the battery. Table 1 clearly shows the dependence of the electrolyte density on its freezing point.
Table 1. Dependence of electrolyte density on its freezing point.
| Battery status | Electrolyte density, kg/l | Freezing temperature, C |
| Charged | 1,28 | -68 |
| Half charged | 1,2 | -27 |
| Discharged | 1,12 | -11 |
If a crack has formed in the battery case, it is first repaired using epoxy acid-resistant cold welding or glue with a strip of fiberglass placed along the crack and the electrolyte level and its density are brought to normal. The density of the electrolyte may also be reduced due to the battery being discharged. In this case, it is necessary to check the battery with a load plug and if the voltage at the terminals is below normal, the battery must be charged and the density should increase. It is also very important not to overload the battery with unnecessary power consumers, such as a powerful speaker system with a subwoofer, additional optics, etc. The fact is that the standard generator, when the car is idling, may not have enough power to charge the battery and the battery will give up part of its energy to power these consumers. As a result, the battery will gradually discharge. To compensate for this, when purchasing a battery, you should give preference to batteries manufactured using AGM or gel technology. They have high energy efficiency and are resistant to charge-discharge cycles. Also, due to a malfunction of the voltage regulator, malfunctions in the battery, such as overcharging or undercharging, are also possible. When overcharging, distilled water boils away in the battery, which leads to a decrease in the electrolyte level, a change in its density and, ultimately, to a significant drop in the state of charge of the battery and its failure due to corrosion of the electrodes. Compliance with all of the above recommendations will extend the life of the battery, give you the opportunity to fully demonstrate all its qualities incorporated into the design of the battery by the manufacturing engineers, and also save your time, nerves and money.
General storage rules
A rechargeable acid battery consists of lead-acid cells that are connected to each other. Each element (bank) produces a voltage of 2V, and there are six of them in total. In a fully charged state, the battery should show a voltage of 12.4V - 12.7V, and the electrolyte density should be about 1.26 g/cm3. Electrochemical reactions inside are constantly occurring, so you need to properly operate and store the battery.
Charge level measurement
The battery should be stored in a well-ventilated and dry place out of direct sunlight. Storage temperature 10-15°C. In a place that is too cold or too hot, the battery will discharge faster. At temperatures of 20°C and above, the discharge process is 7 times faster. Also, the battery must be placed on a flat surface in a horizontal position.
Thus, the ideal storage location would be a dark room with a constant temperature of no higher than 15°C and away from heating devices.
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.
Preparation for storage
Proper preparation of the battery for storage and the storage conditions itself will slow down the sulfation process and keep the charge and battery in working condition for as long as possible. To do this you need to follow three simple steps:
- Correctly disconnect the terminals: first remove the “minus” and then the “plus”.
- Carefully inspect and clean the battery case from dust, dirt and oil. Wipe the terminals. To reduce the oxidation process, you can lubricate them with technical petroleum jelly.
- Check the charge level, density and electrolyte level. The voltage in the battery before storage should be between 12.4V - 12.7V. Electrolyte density – 1.26 g/cm3 – 1.28 g/cm3.
Electrolyte density is an important indicator that is measured with a hydrometer. The density value will depend on the temperature. In summer, the density may be lower - at the level of 1.25 g/cm3 - 1.26 g/cm3. In winter, it is necessary to maintain the density at 1.27 g/cm3 - 1.28 g/cm3. The lower the density, the easier and faster the liquid in the battery will freeze. For example, if the density drops to 1.09 g/cm3, the battery will freeze even at -7°C. This can happen even when operating in a car.
Measuring density with a hydrometer
When reinstalling the battery on the car, you must also clean the case from dust and liquid, clean the terminals, and dry the contacts. The terminals are connected in the plus-minus sequence.
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.
Battery storage in winter
The main conditions for proper battery storage in winter are full charging and storage temperature. Be sure to charge the battery, check the electrolyte density, charge level and place it in a ventilated room with a temperature of 10°C -15°C.
To ensure that the battery always remains in working condition, it is best to discharge and charge it once a month. For example, connect a light bulb to the contacts and then charge it. This will maintain the chemical process inside.
The necessary conditions
To ensure battery performance after storage, the owner must comply with certain conditions. The battery is stored at positive temperatures, preferably within 10-12 degrees Celsius. The maximum permissible temperature is 20℃. It is important that there are no sudden temperature changes at home, in the garage, or in the warehouse - such conditions negatively affect the operation of the battery.
The place where the battery is placed should be cool, dark, and well ventilated. If direct sunlight falls on the body, the seals will dry out, and accordingly the cans will lose their seal.
It is not allowed to store the battery on its side or at an angle - the power source is installed on a flat area, which prevents changes in the electrolyte level in the banks. If the process fluid does not completely cover the plates, sulfation will begin on them; in most cases, the battery will have to be thrown away. During storage, do not place other batteries or objects on the battery - this can lead to deformation of the case and leakage of electrolyte.
Manufacturers strongly do not recommend storing acid (lead) and alkaline (Ni-mh, Ni-cd) batteries together.
Storing a new battery
It’s worth saying right away that buying a battery in reserve and not using it is not a good idea. You will still have to devote time to maintaining it.
The production time, conditions and storage period of the battery before purchase play a big role. If this is a completely new battery that has been stored in a warehouse for several months, then all that remains is to recharge it and regularly check the charge.
Battery storage
A dry-charged battery must be activated independently after purchase. Fill with electrolyte and charge. “Dry” batteries are stored for a very long time; the main thing is to keep the device strictly in a horizontal position so that settled particles do not fall on the plates.
If the battery being sold was manufactured 2-3 years ago and was stored in improper conditions, then it is not worth buying such a device at all. It is highly likely that the battery capacity will be significantly reduced. If you are unsure about the production time, you can check the battery yourself. Install the device on the car, drive it, and then turn on all possible consumers (music system, headlights, heated glass and seats). If the battery does not discharge during this time, then the device meets the standard. In general, the storage conditions for a new battery and an old one are no different.
How long do batteries last without recharging?
Any battery needs to be recharged periodically, even during idle time. The frequency depends on the type of device and what is inside. Well, it also depends on the discharge rate, of course, because as the battery is used, the capacity of the battery decreases, and it begins to require more frequent charging.
There are 3 types of batteries:
- low antimony,
- hybrid,
- calcium
The first ones are known more than others and are used by most car enthusiasts. These are the lead devices familiar to everyone. They are characterized by a low amount of antimony - up to 3%, and high water consumption. As a rule, the maximum battery shelf life without recharging does not exceed 3 months.
Hybrid ones contain about 1.5% antimony and about the same amount of cadmium. Thanks to this alloy and the addition of special impurities, water consumption is reduced by half. The charge retention period also increases almost 2 times – up to 5 months.
Calcium ones hold their charge the longest. The most modern and technologically advanced ones can go without recharging for about a year. The minimum period is 8 months.
However, even if you have the most high-tech battery, you shouldn’t relax, because improper storage is equally destructive for all batteries.
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Storing the battery without recharging
If it is not possible to periodically charge the battery during storage, then you can preserve it. To do this you need to perform the following operations:
- fully charge the battery and carefully drain the electrolyte (observing safety precautions);
- pour distilled water into the compartments twice, wait about 20 minutes, then drain;
- prepare a 5% boric acid solution and pour into the compartments;
- Install the battery in a dark and dry place at a temperature of 10°C -15°C.
A canned or dry-charged battery can be stored without recharging for several years. To return the device to working condition, you need to drain the boric acid and fill in the electrolyte, charge the device and check the density.
Gel battery storage
Gel battery
Storing a gel battery is no different from storing a liquid battery. Before storing, you must fully charge the device and leave it in a dark and dry place at a moderate temperature of 5°C -15°C. Gel devices retain charge well and are more resistant to self-discharge.
If all conditions are met, the device can be stored for a long time without loss of charge and capacity. It is important to observe the temperature conditions, the degree of illumination, and also periodically monitor the condition of the battery.
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.
