New Batteries - Buying Uncharged

[Tommy-Chi]

Primarily concerned with buying the very best 18650 and 26650 batteries that @Mooch recommends with the following in mind.

If I wanted to buy a 2 year supply of batteries, could it be done? Done safely?

Should I buy them without a charge OR should I allow the shop to charge them up and allow them to discharge, and only charge them when I plan to start rotating them in?

I know that the shops charge them before I get them because they tell me that is what they are doing...then they place them in boxes for sale.

Thanks!

 

[MMcQ]

Best bet for storing batteries long term is at 40% capacity at 0 C. How to Prolong Lithium-based Batteries - Battery University. That's about 3.85 volts according to the link so having the shop charge them and then draining them down should be ok and if stored in a freezer then a moisture barrier should be used. That's only for a year though so I would guess that you should check them after that long and charge up as necessary. Just my opinion though.

 

[Tommy-Chi]

Thanks!

 

[Mooch]

Two years of storage is a long time. Even under perfect conditions you're going to lose some capacity and the internal resistance will go up. How much will be determined by the storage conditions.

 

[sig-cmt]

Take a look at the technical documents for the cells you plan on purchasing. For the HG2, nominal specifications for shipping storage indicate -20 to 20°C for a period of one year at approximately 40% of a full charge.

 

[Tommy-Chi]

Sounds good...