battery question

[dragonlover]

Hi all. I was wondering how long a battery can "sit" before it has to be used. I just got an extra ego type as a backup for when my other two die. Came fully charged. I also have two small 510's that I don't use as often. Had peoblems early on with my equipment dying and don't want to get caught in that situation again.

Thanks

 

[JD1]

That's a hard question to answer because it varies from battery to battery. As a rule of thumb, most batteries lose about 5 percent of their charge fairly quickly (a day or less), but then slow down and retain a lot of their charge over a long period. I would advise using the back up every few days or once a week or something.

 

[six]

Rechargeable battery manufacturers generally store and ship batteries around 30% to 40% charged. It has been widely recommended that long term storage of rechargeable batteries involve around a 30 to 40% charge and keeping them in a cool to cold place. Extra batts I've purchased are around 30% charged and are in my refrigerator and a few in my freezer.

 

[cskent]

When I was using eGo's I initially purchased a starter kit with 2 batteries. I used them for about a month and decided to purchase a few backup batteries so I ordered 3 more. I tested them to see if they worked when I received them and then put them away. Shortly thereafter I switched to mods and all the eGo's sat idle for about 4 or 5 months. I decided to sell them and went to make sure they were still working but 2 of the brand new, unused batteries wouldn't fire. I messed with them and finally got one of them to work by continually pushing the button for a while. The other never did start working again. I live in a high humidity area and I think the switch contacts got corroded enough so the switch wouldn't make contact.

So, my suggestion is to keep a spare, but also put it in rotation so it gets at least some use. That should help keep the contacts in good condition. After my experience I wouldn't keep that many backup batteries if they're of proprietary design like the eGo or 510. I do have a lot of spare mod batteries, but they're another animal all together.

 

[Coreva]

Rechargeable battery manufacturers generally store and ship batteries around 30% to 40% charged. It has been widely recommended that long term storage of rechargeable batteries involve around a 30 to 40% charge and keeping them in a cool to cold place. Extra batts I've purchased are around 30% charged and are in my refrigerator and a few in my freezer.

Freezing didn't harm them? Is the chemical inside freezable or is it pretty solid. Just wondering as I've never taken one apart and only know liquid batteries from cars and such.

 

[six]

Lithium Ion cells freeze around -40 Fahrenheit. My freezer doesn't get that cold.

One note: Don't put them on a charger until they warm up to at least +40 Fahrenheit. I've read a few manufacturers notes from different li-on batts mentioning minimum temp to begin a charge cycle.

 

[dragonlover]

thanks- i'm afraid they'll get "banged up" in the fridge or freezer cuz my kids are "animals" so I probably keep them in the basement-pretty cool down there and use them once a week on my day off from work-do you all think that would work?

 

[Coreva]

Lithium Ion cells freeze around -40 Fahrenheit. My freezer doesn't get that cold.

One note: Don't put them on a charger until they warm up to at least +40 Fahrenheit. I've read a few manufacturers notes from different li-on batts mentioning minimum temp to begin a charge cycle.

Whoaa, I didn't know that, thanks