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How to store a battery over winter
Most battery damage during storage comes from letting it go flat, freezing or charging lithium when it is too cold.
Lead-acid (flooded, AGM, gel)
- Charge it fully before storage. Battery University says low charge causes sulfation, which reduces capacity.
- Check the voltage during storage and recharge when it falls to about 70% charge (about 12.42V on a rested 12V battery, per Battery University; check your maker's manual).
- A maintainer or small solar trickle charger with a controller can keep it topped up.
- A discharged lead-acid battery freezes more easily, and freezing can damage it, so keep it charged in the cold.
Lithium (LiFePO4 and other Li-ion)
- Store partly charged. Battery University recommends about 40-50% for Li-ion; follow your battery maker's guidance for LiFePO4.
- Do not charge below 0°C (32°F) unless the battery has built-in heating or the maker allows it.
- Lithium self-discharges slowly, but parasitic loads in a vehicle can still drain it. Disconnect it or use a battery disconnect switch.
- Do not let it sit fully empty; very low voltage can trigger sleep mode or damage the cells.
For every battery
- Store somewhere cool and dry; Battery University recommends about 15°C (59°F) for most chemistries.
- Disconnect it or turn off loads so nothing drains it.
- Check it monthly.
More on chemistries: Battery types explained.
Follow your battery's manual first. General information only.