storing batteries

[Dzaw]

OK - I may have gone a bit overboard...

I replaced my 18350's for my vamo with efest 18650's. I have 4 of them. They are labelled 1-4, and I've been cycling through them pretty much in order, when #4 dies, it goes on the charger, and #1 goes in the mod.

Now, I have 4 panasonic NCR18650PD that I bought because of the higher capacity - I wans't getting that "all day vape"" life out of my efest 2000 mAh batts, but an extra 900 mAh aught to suffice. They are currently getting their first charge...

However, I also have 4 sony 30 amp 18650's inbound for the new mechanical and rda's, in case I find that I really like sub ohming - I wanted a good safe batt for dual .9 ohm coils running at a total of .4 ohms (as low as I think I will ever realistically even try).

I just don't see myself, all alone (I'm the only full time vaper I know) using any one of 12 18650's often enough that I won't need to know how to store them...

Do I put them away fully charged? I checked out my 18350's awhile back, after a couple of months, and they're pretty much dead, even though I put them away fully charged. I'm probably going to be running them to Radio Shack for recycling, but if they're going to be fine, I suppose I can charge them back up, and put them into rotation...

 

[generic mutant]

Ideally, in the fridge (sealed very tight from moisture), and at around 40% charge. How you measure that I'm honestly not sure, perhaps using the discharge curve? (edit - I just read the link (doh!), and it seems around 3.75 volts is a good guesstimate)

You'll obviously need to keep topping them up, because if they fall below a certain charge you'll damage them, and if they've been at that charge for any length of time, you need to dispose of them.

How to Store Batteries – Battery University

 

[emus]

Batts are one thing I don't stock pile.
I like em fresh.
When I've used new old stock batts they seemed weak.
New batts seem hot and ready.

 

[Nikkita6]

No, do not store your batteries long term with a full charge. Store your batteries at 3.6-3.8v. Storing them long term with a full charge will cause them to self discharge and shorten the overall life of the battery.

 

[Dzaw]

I'll read that article a few times. Thanks!

 

[Dzaw]

3.76 volts, measured 90 minutes after the batt comes off the charger. In the freezer apparently.

 

[generic mutant]

15 degrees C.

The fridge would work, the freezer is a bad idea.

 

[Dzaw]

OK - thanks!

The article you linked said that -50c to 50c was the "acceptable" range, and stored at 0c they recovered their capacity best. I expected the freezer to do better based on that.

 

[generic mutant]

Not sure...

The recommended storage temperature for most batteries is 15°C (59°F)
...
Avoid freezing. Batteries freeze more easily if in discharged state.

I *believe* (don't quote me on this) that the electrolytes in a lithium battery are liquid, so I guess "avoid freezing" actually means avoid them dropping below whatever their freezing point is, rather than "avoid using the freezer". Nevertheless, I'd be inclined to follow the first statement (15 degrees C) since that's pretty unequivocal...

A wine cellar or something would be perfect, failing that a fridge is close enough.

 

[Dzaw]

Sounds good. Thanks!

Maybe I should just see which ones end up getting the most use, and sell off the rest.

 

[Joka]

I put half a charge (guessing) and drop em in my box of gizmos. They were fine from that imo