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charging Lithium Ion batteries in the cold

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john-hamilton
(@john-hamilton)
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I have all of my chargers setup in the garage, which is attached to the house but unheated. I am wondering if being cold (probably 50?ø) affects the charging process? In years past I moved the chargers into the office in the winter, but not sure if that makes any difference.?ÿ

I know that cold outside (13?ø this morning) affects them during use.?ÿ?ÿ

 
Posted : December 18, 2019 2:07 pm
(@va-ls-2867)
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Yes colder temperatures negatively affect the charging ability of the batteries.

 
Posted : December 18, 2019 2:30 pm
MarkSilver
(@mark-silver)
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Do not charge below 0 deg C under any circumstances. They might appear to be charging (although most reputable chargers will shut down at 5 deg C), however the negative plate will oxidize and the battery will be toast. They need to be >?ÿ 5 deg C (and less than 45 deg C) when charged. There are some exotic chemistry cells that have a wider tolerance, but probably not available in consumer applications.

Lithium-Ion batteries are like puppies. If you leave them in your truck with the windows rolled up in the summer or feed them when it is cold, you will kill them.

 
Posted : December 18, 2019 2:56 pm
john-hamilton
(@john-hamilton)
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Thanks Mark. So 50?ø is 10?ø, marginal but OK? probably should move them up for the winter.?ÿ

 
Posted : December 18, 2019 3:16 pm
a-harris
(@a-harris)
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Winter makes for bringing more of my tools into the office every night and anything that includes batteries is first on the list.

The cold depletes the batteries' power storage faster than I would have expected.

Carrying several lawn tractor batteries and matching 12v converter wiring and plugs have saved me in the past.

Last winter I observed the effects of leaving one of my TS in the truck full time. A portion of the horizontal angle plate was not reading for some reason. After it warmed up in the office it worked fine and after being in the truck again for about a week it started again at the same angle range. I suspect extended exposure in the freezing weather that portion of the circular scale is fogging over.

0.02

 
Posted : December 18, 2019 3:50 pm