Learn how to properly store your battery when its in dormant storage or not being used for a few months.
If in dormant storage you only want keep your battery charged between 70-80%. You can remove the battery from the vehicle and use the screen on the battery to monitor the state of charge (SoC), or use the app in your smartphone to see the state of charge anytime. If you leave the charger on the battery, it’s going to charge up to 100%, but once it reaches 100% the smart charger is going to shut the power off from the wall to the battery however, with the charger still connected, the battery is going to become the source of power to keep the charger lights lit since there is no power coming from the wall. The battery becomes the source of energy and it back feeds power to the charger to indicate to you that it is time to disconnect the charger, so you want to disconnect the charger after every charge cycle. The charger has to be disconnected from the battery and the wall, and all the phantom power has to phase out of the charger before a new charge cycle can begin which is called a hard reset. The charger must be hard reset before a new charge cycle can begin. If you don’t disconnect the charger it remains on the same cycle and the battery will completely drain – slowly, over a period of weeks, because the charger remains connected drawing power while it back feeds to the charger, keeping all the electronics and the LED lights lit. Lithium batteries do not accept float charges, and the smart charger is not a trickle charger.
During dormant storage, charge it up between 70 to 80%, and pull the charger off the battery so that it doesn’t charge up to 100%.
Lithium batteries don't get charged all the way to 100% for long-term storage because of depth of discharge (DoD). Here's the breakdown:
Depth of Discharge (DoD): This refers to how much capacity (percentage) has been used from a fully charged battery. For example, using half the battery's capacity would be a 50% DoD.
Lithium Battery Stress: When a lithium battery is at 100% charge (0% DoD) or completely depleted (100% DoD), it experiences more stress. This can accelerate the degradation of the battery and shorten its lifespan.
Here's why it's better to store a lithium battery around 70% charge:
Reduced Stress: Storing the battery at a moderate DoD level (around 70%) minimizes stress on the battery and helps it maintain its health for longer.
Slower Capacity Loss: By avoiding extreme DoD levels, the battery degrades at a slower rate, extending its usable life.
Additional Tips for Long-Term Lithium Battery Storage:
Cool, Dry Storage: Keep the battery in a cool, dry place with moderate temperatures (ideally between 50°F and 77°F). Extreme heat or cold can also degrade the battery.
Periodic Charging (Balance Charging): If storing for extended periods (months or longer), it's recommended to periodically check about every 4-6 weeks and recharge the battery to around 70% if it falls below that level. This helps prevent the battery from dropping to a very low DoD.
By following these storage practices, you can help maximize the lifespan and performance of lithium batteries.
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