How long can a lithium battery sit on the shelf?
If stored for a very long time without usage then they will last only for 2 years. If they are used regularly and undergo regular charge cycles then they will last for 5 years. The best way to prolong the life of a standard Lithium Ion battery is to use it regularly and not to let it idle.
Lithium-ion batteries, when not in use, generally don't degrade significantly simply by sitting idle. The monthly SoH (State of Health) loss of a lithium-ion battery that is not undercharged, overcharged, or overheated is between 0.08 to 0.25%.
Frequently Asked Questions About Batteries
A: Shelf life varies across our products: Energizer MAX® AA, AAA, C, and D cells last up to 10 years in storage, while our 9V lasts up to 5 years in storage. Energizer® EcoAdvanced® AA and AAA last up to 12 years in storage.
Store your batteries with at least a 50% charge. If you store your fully-charged batteries in proper conditions, they can last an entire year. Any less, and they may not last as long.
This loss of capacity (aging) is irreversible. As the battery loses capacity, the length of time it will power the product (run time) decreases. Lithium-Ion batteries continue to slowly discharge (self-discharge) when not in use or while in storage.
It's crucial that lithium-ion batteries are stored in a cool, dry environment to maintain the performance of the battery — as well as its safety. Therefore, we recommend storing batteries in an inside environment, that is away from direct sunlight, excess heat, ignition sources and flammable substances.
High temperatures during charging may lead to battery degradation and charging at temperatures above 45 °C will degrade battery performance, whereas at lower temperatures the internal resistance of the battery may increase, resulting in slower charging and thus longer charging times.
Noise: Failing li-ion batteries have been reported to make hissing, cracking, or popping sounds. Odor: If you notice a strong or unusual odor coming from the battery, this is also a bad sign. Li-ion batteries emit toxic fumes when they fail. Smoke: If your device is smoking, a fire may have already started.
Lithium batteries are particularly vulnerable to overheating or being subjected to extremely low or high temperatures. Overcharging and battery casing cracks are additional causes of battery failure.
A SLA (Sealed Lead Acid) battery can generally sit on a shelf at room temperature with no charging for up to a year when at full capacity, but is not recommended. Sealed Lead Acid batteries should be charged at least every 6 – 9 months. A sealed lead acid battery generally discharges 3% every month.
How long can a battery sit before it goes bad?
A lot can depend on what condition your car battery is in. If you know your car battery is relatively new and has been kept in good condition, it can probably sit unused for about two weeks before it goes flat, however in other cases a car battery can last between two weeks to four months.
Yes, a battery can go bad just by sitting. If a battery is not used for a long period of time, it will slowly lose its charge and eventually become unusable. Even if a battery is unused, it will still self-discharge, which is the process whereby a battery Naturally loses energy over time.
It's best to store your lithium-ion batteries at around a 40-50% state of charge if you plan to use them immediately. You should also be mindful that lithium-ion batteries can suffer damage if you overcharge them for too long.
Some over-discharged batteries can be “boosted” to life again. Discard the pack if the voltage does not rise to a normal level within a minute while on boost. Do not boost lithium-based batteries back to life that have dwelled below 1.5V/cell for a week or longer.
Lithium-ion cells don't like to be discharged below their over discharge voltage, usually between 2.5 and 2.75 volts at the most. Below that and the cell goes to "sleep" or is so dead it won't take a charge anymore, and if you do manage to get charge in it, the capacity will be so low that it's unusable.
What happens if you don't charge a lithium battery? It would be best never to allow your lithium battery to remain not charged for an extended period. The lithium battery will lose its ability to hold a charge over time, eventually leading to the battery being rendered useless.
The lithium-ion battery works on ion movement between the positive and negative electrodes. In theory such a mechanism should work forever, but cycling, elevated temperature and aging decrease the performance over time.
Li-ion batteries require safety mechanisms to limit voltage and internal pressures, which can increase weight and limit performance in some cases. Li-ion batteries are also subject to aging, meaning that they can lose capacity and frequently fail after a number of years.
Storage Area
In the same way that food can spoil if not stored properly, your lithium battery can be ruined if you store it improperly. Keep it in an open, dry area that gets air regularly and stays within a temperature range of -13°F to 149°F.
Keep your batteries in a safe place, out of sight and reach from children. If you carry batteries with you, keep them in a protective, non-metal case. Keep batteries stored in a dry location at room temperature.
Is it OK to store lithium batteries in the garage?
For optimal storage, your battery should be kept in temperatures ranging from +10°C to +20°C, such as a garage or a well-insulated shed. Ensure that your shed is not leaky, as water can lead to corrosion. It is also recommended to store the battery in a closed box to protect it from moisture and sunlight.
Water as vapor or liquid is the most common enemy of solid lithium. Water vapor catalyzes the reaction of lithium with atmospheric gases to form nitrides, oxides, carbonates, and secondary products. The reaction with liquid water is strongly exothermic and forms lithium hydroxide and hydrogen.
So here's a handy rule: Don't start charging until your battery reaches about 20 percent — and try to stop when you get to about 80 percent. This will make sure you maximize each cycle while keeping the battery free of stress. (Keep reading for details on how some smart devices such as iPhones manage this for you.)
Identify the positive and negative terminals of the lithium battery. Connect the red probe of the multimeter to the positive terminal of the battery, and the black probe to the negative terminal. Check the voltage reading on the multimeter. A fully charged lithium battery should read around 4.2 volts.
Remove lithium-powered devices and batteries from the charger once they are fully charged. Store lithium batteries and devices in dry, cool locations. Avoid damaging lithium batteries and devices.
