How to Store Lipo Batteries

The most often used batteries right now are Lipo batteries. Lithium iron phosphate batteries are well-known for their reliable performance, high level of safety, and simple installation. But even when the battery is being used, there will undoubtedly be idle periods. Please kindly note that it’s crucial to carefully store the battery when it’s not in use.

Battery storage for lipo

Some people use lithium iron phosphate batteries depending on the season, such as when camping in the summer or ice fishing in the winter. Some people frequently keep lithium batteries in storage during the off-season. In order to prevent damage and retain top performance for many years to come, Lipo batteries must be stored correctly.

Why should I store lipo batteries?

A key safeguard for lithium iron phosphate batteries is the reasonable storage of the batteries when they are not in use. When lithium iron phosphate batteries are piled directly on top of one another and are improperly stored, they are quickly over discharged, which damages the batteries and ultimately costs you money. Battery performance may be hampered by improper storage. People who use batteries frequently may not give battery storage much thought, but for those who only use batteries sometimes (such as at summer camps), it is crucial to store lithium-iron phosphate batteries properly.

How should lipo batteries be stored?

How should I keep my lithium battery? Every day, particularly during the cold, clients ask us questions. The reaction depends on how long and how long you store the battery.

The recommended storage time and temperature are as follows; of course, these are only guidelines. Sincerely, I hope that this knowledge will be beneficial to everyone.

-5 to +35℃ (23 to 95°F) is the suggested storage temperature.

-20 to +60℃ (4 to 140°F) for storage for up to one month

-10 to +35℃ (14 to 95°F) for storage for up to 3 months.

+15 to +35℃ (59 to 95°F) is the range for extended storage temperatures.

Lithium batteries should always be kept indoors during the off-season. What‘s more, lipo batteries should also be kept in storage at a state of charge (SOC) of at least 50%. If the battery is kept for a long time in storage, it should be cycled at least once every six months. Keep discharged batteries out of storage.

Before storing lipo, cut the connection

Many clients have a primary switch that they can use to turn off the electricity to the batteries. We suggest that you take extra precautions to ensure that the battery is completely unplugged. This is so that devices like illuminated stereos, carbon dioxide monitors, and other emergency sensors that could disable the main disconnect switch are still frequently present in RVs. The primary positive and negative wires from the lithium battery should be unplugged as a best practice while storing batteries. This will guarantee that the battery won’t deplete while being stored and that it will be fully charged the next time you use the Lipo battery. Never use a charger made for any other battery chemistry besides lithium batteries. Less than 2% of Lipo batteries self-discharge monthly. A lithium battery, then, loses 2% of its charge capacity per month as it is kept. We advise cutting off the battery’s power entirely to avoid increased drain rates. Always keep Lipo batteries at a state of charge (SOC) of 50% or more when storing them. For prolonged storage, a higher state of charge is recommended. Charge the batteries to 100% and keep them completely charged when storing them if you want the batteries to hold their charge throughout the duration of the storage term.

How to use system storage lipo?

We advise using a battery protector if you store Lipo batteries beside your charger and inverter because this will prevent the Lipo batteries from being damaged by parasitic loads after they reach 11.5V. It is advised that you disconnect the main battery connection if a disconnect switch is not already in place. It is acceptable to unplug the charger while the battery is in storage because lithium iron phosphate batteries do not require trickle charging.

How to store Lipo in the hot summer?

The self-discharge rate of lithium iron phosphate batteries will be relatively high in the summer because of the comparatively high temperature, averaging about 3-4% per month. Despite the fact that Lipo batteries can withstand high temperatures, it is advisable to avoid using them in hot environments. The ideal option is an indoor space with a somewhat constant temperature.

How to store Lipo in cold winter?

The majority of battery storage is done throughout the winter. Lithium iron phosphate batteries are frequently used as camping batteries, so they are not very helpful in the cold. Wintertime lows can reach -20℃ in some places. Since the battery is essentially a chemical reaction, its self-discharge rate will be relatively modest in the winter, at roughly 3% per month. However, it should be noted that while storing batteries in the winter, it is important to make sure that the storage temperature is higher than the ambient temperature, especially in an environment of -20℃. The battery shouldn’t be exposed to temperatures that are too low. Again, it needs to be kept indoors.

The lithium iron phosphate battery must have all loads unplugged before it can be stored, it should be noted. To put it another way, the positive and negative electrodes are both retained in their entirety. The BMS, inverter, or charger that is attached to the battery should not be kept in storage as this can hasten the battery’s depletion. To avoid battery anomalies if you must do this, use a battery protector. When re-enabling the Lipo battery after battery storage, of course, don’t forget to rebalance the battery.

Risk of storing a battery that hasn't been charged

There are serious repercussions if Lipo batteries are stored without being charged. The battery can be overcharged because of the 2% self-discharge rate. Discharge levels can be lower than what the BMS is able to handle. For this reason, charging the lithium battery before storing it is crucial. You must store lithium batteries at room temperature as well, especially if you intend to keep them there for an extended period of time. For information on how long lithium iron phosphate can be held at various temperatures, please see the first paragraph of this article. Batteries can become permanently damaged and lose their 10-year warranty if they are over-discharged while being stored without being charged. The Canbat’s integrated BMS keeps track of every action taken with the battery, including storage. The temperature and a number of other variables, including every charge and discharge, are also recorded.

Cold Weather Adaptation

Lipo batteries may experience capacity reduction when discharged at very low temperatures (below 0 degrees Celsius). For instance, depending on how cold it is, a 12V 100Ah Lipo battery might only deliver 90Ah, 80Ah, or even 70Ah at 0℃. This is transient and typical of the Lipo chemistry. The battery will regain its full capacity once it has warmed up. The LFP100-12 battery (12V 100Ah) outputs roughly 80Ah when the temperature is around 0℃. The battery’s capacity decreases to around 70 amp hours at -20℃. Lithium plating, a risky phenomenon that can result in short circuits, can be brought on when Lipo batteries are charged in subfreezing conditions. To avoid charging in cold weather, all Combat Lipo batteries contain an integrated BMS. BMS is in charge of avoiding other things like:

Charging at a high temperature

Overcharge

Over-discharge

Internal short circuit

Lithium batteries for cold weather

Check out our low-temperature lithium batteries if you don’t want to worry about probable capacity loss in subfreezing temperatures and want to be able to charge your Lipo battery in cold weather. They are made for Canada’s frigid environment and have a cold weather grade. Temperatures as low as -20℃ (-4°F) can be securely used to charge and discharge the battery.

How? A heating system included inside the Maxworld Lipo LT battery draws power from the charger itself using a unique method. There is no requirement for extra parts. Heating and charging take place simultaneously during the entire procedure. When trying to charge below 0℃, the heating system is automatically started. When no longer required, it is deactivated. In order to prevent the battery from self-discharging, the heating system draws electricity from the charger rather than the battery. The lithium battery charger only requires that you plug the battery in; the internal heating and monitoring mechanism will take care of the rest.

Low temperatures cause the Lipo to discharge less effectively, which reduces the battery’s output capacity. This issue is resolved by our unique technology. The heater activates and heats the battery when the lithium is released at below-freezing temperatures, ensuring maximum capacity is offered. The temperature has no impact on the maximum discharge C rating of Maxworld Lipo.

Lithium batteries for cold weather can have up to 4 cells connected in series or parallel. Parallel increases amperage whereas series raises voltage. In order to guarantee safety and dependability for all applications, including RV, marine, and off-grid solar, our lithium batteries are UL listed. Visit our official website to learn more about our Lipo batteries for cold weather, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Conclusion

Everyone can see the benefits of Lipo batteries, so the question is how to preserve the battery’s best performance. An excellent strategy to sustain performance and successfully extend the life of lithium iron phosphate batteries is to store them properly while not in use.