Battery Shelf Life?

[JamBandPhan]

So now that I have bought a bunch of various batteries, I am concerned with how long they will keep, if they are not being used. I have several Volcano automatic (L88B) and a couple of blu, several 510 manual, a new eGo kit, and a new 801 kit. After amassing all of these supplies, I learned about mod batteries that you can buy rechargeable (for much less $) and they last longer for daily use. So now I have a new laser mod, and waiting on a little chuck. So you see I have a surplus of supplies (which I don't mind) but I don't want them going to waste, if some of the batteries don't get used right away. Can anyone offer advice on how long these should keep while I use up some of my older batteries? It's been a real learning process so far.

 

[Kurt]

So now that I have bought a bunch of various batteries, I am concerned with how long they will keep, if they are not being used. I have several Volcano automatic (L88B) and a couple of blu, several 510 manual, a new eGo kit, and a new 801 kit. After amassing all of these supplies, I learned about mod batteries that you can buy rechargeable (for much less $) and they last longer for daily use. So now I have a new laser mod, and waiting on a little chuck. So you see I have a surplus of supplies (which I don't mind) but I don't want them going to waste, if some of the batteries don't get used right away. Can anyone offer advice on how long these should keep while I use up some of my older batteries? It's been a real learning process so far.

The general lore about Li-ion batts is they store best at about 70% full charge, and cool temps. So charge them up, use them for a few minutes, then put them in a ziplock and into the fridge. I think that's about the best you can do with them. Evidently the material does not do as well in the freezer, like a common AA batt.

 

[Kent C]

So now that I have bought a bunch of various batteries, I am concerned with how long they will keep, if they are not being used. I have several Volcano automatic (L88B) and a couple of blu, several 510 manual, a new eGo kit, and a new 801 kit. After amassing all of these supplies, I learned about mod batteries that you can buy rechargeable (for much less $) and they last longer for daily use. So now I have a new laser mod, and waiting on a little chuck. So you see I have a surplus of supplies (which I don't mind) but I don't want them going to waste, if some of the batteries don't get used right away. Can anyone offer advice on how long these should keep while I use up some of my older batteries? It's been a real learning process so far.

Do and don't battery table

"Store at 40% charge in a cool place"

 

[garyd]

The general lore about Li-ion batts is they store best at about 70% full charge, and cool temps. So charge them up, use them for a few minutes, then put them in a ziplock and into the fridge. I think that's about the best you can do with them. Evidently the material does not do as well in the freezer, like a common AA batt.

Good advice from Kurt and Kent.
Lithium Ion batteries die after around 300-400 charge cycles.
All Lithium Ion batteries die in around 2-3 years.
Lithium Ion cells start dying the moment they are manufactured.
Partial recharges are better than full discharge/recharge.

Here's an interesting article:
http://www.tek.com/service/safety/tds3000b/pdfs/001150100.pdf

 

[JamBandPhan]

Thanks!! I will have a charge, use slightly and store day soon. I appreciate all the links and advice.

 

[Kurt]

Do and don't battery table

"Store at 40% charge in a cool place"

Thanks for the correction, Kent! How would one actually measure the % charged? I was under the impression that a "dead" batt that would not power an atty was not necessarily 100% drained of voltage, but rather less than the minimum needed to power the atty. I may be wrong here.

Would 40% charged translate to 0.4x3.7V ?

 

[Kent C]

Thanks for the correction, Kent! How would one actually measure the % charged?

What I did when I switched over to mainly mods and put my 510 batts to storage is I knew I was getting about 2 hours on them, so I gave them a full charge and set a timer for 48 minutes ;-) They're in the fridge now. If I ever get around to getting a classified together, I'll sell them.