Battery Tending Over Winter

[NMShooter]

Re: Battery Tending Over Winter

Again.. not to say you should not charge your batts. . but in most cases you dont Need to unless the batt. is on its last leg .

YD.

Well, you know what they say. Just because something hasn't failed doesn't mean that your practice is a good one. Lots of folks out there with a few or more teeth who don't brush. Heck, why brush if your teeth don't hurt or aren't loose?

If you want to maintain your batteries at their best health, it is best to float charge them when not in use. Always. Not just over the winter. No need to float charge alkaline batteries. They are made for one trip down the discharge curve only.

However, any battery that is designed to recharge is best stored fully charged and actively floated if you want to prolong its life. Batteries that are not being used are not in a static state. If not floated, they lose charge. Keeping the battery in a less than fully charged state causes the battery to lose capacity over time.

Here is a link, there are plenty more out there if you want to prove it to yourself : Self discharge of batteries

It's simple science and well proven.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Battery Tending Over Winter

Well, you know what they say. Just because something hasn't failed doesn't mean that your practice is a good one. Lots of folks out there with a few or more teeth who don't brush. Heck, why brush if your teeth don't hurt or aren't loose?

If you want to maintain your batteries at their best health, it is best to float charge them when not in use. Always. Not just over the winter. No need to float charge alkaline batteries. They are made for one trip down the discharge curve only.

However, any battery that is designed to recharge is best stored fully charged and actively floated if you want to prolong its life. Batteries that are not being used are not in a static state. If not floated, they lose charge. Keeping the battery in a less than fully charged state causes the battery to lose capacity over time.

Here is a link, there are plenty more out there if you want to prove it to yourself : Self discharge of batteries

It's simple science and well proven.

Right there in First paragraph of your supplied link it states why/how discharging happens. They even suggest themselves .. " In many cases the rate of loss may decline after a time due, for instance, to the build-up of a passivation film on lithium anodes. In order to reduce self-discharge, it is recommended to store cells and batteries at lower temperatures." .

I dont wish to argue about the "perfect way to keep your battery during winter months". .. And Im sorry I could not contribute to the "tending in winter" portion of this thread.

I would like to say in honesty that when I lived up in the mountains of N.M. .. our trucks had freeze plug heaters and some of us had small ( 1A or something ) chargers mounted with quick connects right on the vehicle. We would plug both of them in every night.

Peace

YD.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Battery Tending Over Winter

Right there in First paragraph of your supplied link it states why/how discharging happens. They even suggest themselves .. " In many cases the rate of loss may decline after a time due, for instance, to the build-up of a passivation film on lithium anodes. In order to reduce self-discharge, it is recommended to store cells and batteries at lower temperatures." .

You just quoted the part about Li-Ion batteries. Read a little lower about Lead-Acid.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Battery Tending Over Winter

So all debating aside I'd say the bottom line is that a fully charged, isolated (disconnected) battery should make it through the winter. Charging every month or two is definately better for the battery and continuous charging methods are great in theory but may be problematic based on the specifics of the battery and the charger.

It is easy for any of us to argue any of the above based on personal experience because in all cases you should have a working battery in the spring.

Is there anything else really to say on this subject?

 

[SDSeville]

Re: Battery Tending Over Winter

Well, that was easy. Thanks for the help everyone!!

 

[akorcovelos]

Re: Battery Tending Over Winter

so...did I win??

 

[scipper77]

Re: Battery Tending Over Winter

so...did I win??

We won't know until spring now will we?

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Battery Tending Over Winter

so...did I win??

Um.. no.

But the consolation prize is another $10 harbor F. isolation charger for just about 6 bucks on sale next week.

I would buy up 10 of those puppies ASAP !!!

Im done.

YD.