Lithium Batteries In Cold Weather – Everything You Need to Know

Winter’s just around the corner but that doesn’t mean your adventures have to stop! It does, however, bring up a good question: how do different types of batteries hold up in cold weather? And not only that but how do you take care of your batteries despite the frigid temperatures?

Luckily for you, we’re here (and happy) to answer your questions! Follow along as we discuss helpful tips and tricks for safeguarding your batteries this season. And if you want to see our heated cold weather lithium batteries:

What Happens To Batteries In Cold Weather

We’re going to put it to you straight – lithium batteries (LiFePO4, not lithium ion batteries) fare far better in wintry conditions than other battery types, but even still you’re going to want to take care of them. With the right preventative measures, your batteries can survive and thrive this winter. To protect your batteries, let’s first look into why we need to protect them from harsh environments in the first place.

A battery’s job is to store and release energy. Cold weather can get in the way of these important functions. Just like it takes your body several minutes to warm up after being outside, the same is true for your battery. Cold temperatures increase the internal resistance of a battery. This can lower the battery’s capacity. AKA – the battery can’t release as much energy or retain a charge as well in cold temperatures.

You guessed it – this means you’ll need to charge those batteries more frequently during wintery weather. When temperatures drop, the battery’s capacity drops, making it less efficient. Another important thing to remember is that the lifespan of a battery only includes so many charging cycles. This is something you want to preserve, not waste. Lithium deep-cycle batteries are rated to last between 3,000 to 5,000 cycles. But lead-acid, on the other hand, typically lasts around 400 cycles, so you’ll want to use those cycles more sparingly.

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Lithium Batteries & Cold Weather Storage

As you know, you can’t control winter weather. Mother Nature does what she wants. Still, you can take a few precautions to treat your battery as best as you can while it’s in the cold. So, what are these safeguards we’re talking about? Let’s get to it…

Keep Your Battery Clean

It’s important to keep your battery clean on summer days and wintry ones too, especially if you have a lead acid battery. It’s especially important before a long season in storage. Dirt and corrosion can cause some major issues for certain battery types and make them discharge quicker. We’re looking at you lead acid. With a lead acid battery, you’ll want to clean it with baking soda and water before putting it into storage. Lithium batteries, on the other hand, require zero maintenance. You heard that right.

Warm Up Your Battery Before Using It

As we said before, adventures don’t have to end just because Old Man Winter’s arrived. Maybe you’re a snowbird looking to take your RV south for the winter. We don’t blame you. Or maybe you’re ready for hunting season? Either way, don’t let the freezing temps stop you! Just like you’d warm your car for several minutes before cruising, do the same for your deep cycle batteries. Warm them up! That way you don’t shock your battery with a sudden jump.

Sounds a bit like yourself, right? Let your battery ease into things.

Store Your Battery In Mild Temperatures

Now, this is something you won’t have perfect control over depending on where you keep your battery. However, it’s still important to know the ideal temperature for battery storage. That range is between 32 degrees Fahrenheit and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, but that doesn’t mean your lithium batteries won’t function beyond those temperatures. They will, but with lesser capacity. You may notice that they lose their charge quicker than normal.

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Charge Your Battery Often

Unlike many battery types, Ionic Lithium Batteries can be used and discharged no matter how cold it gets, without causing damage. Phew.

But you don’t want to charge your battery in temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s important to get your battery out of the freezing zone before charging it. Using solar panels may be an excellent option! Solar panels can help keep your batteries up and chugging, even in practically arctic conditions.

Lithium Batteries Vs. Lead Acid Batteries

While no battery performs perfectly in freezing weather, lithium batteries perform much better than lead-acid and other battery types in cold weather. The capacity and performance of lead acid batteries drop significantly in cold temperatures. The more energy you draw from them, the less they can sustain consistent performance. They get weaker and weaker until the battery fails. Lithium batteries perform much better in cold temperatures because they’re less affected by temperature-related chemical slowdowns. (And many of them have built-in heaters to operate in extreme cold.)

There are a few things that make the initial higher price tag worth it, such as:

• Lithium batteries perform better in extreme temperatures.
• Practically feather-weight, lithium batteries weigh ½ the weight of most lead acid batteries. They’re much easier on the back.
• Ionic lithium batteries run an average of 3,000 to 5,000 cycles vs lead acid’s 400 cycles. Talk about a difference!

Lithium batteries outperform the competition by a long shot. This makes the initial price tag well worth the investment because you’ll save money in the long run.

When you aren’t concerned with your battery life, you have more freedom to tackle new adventures. Have we mentioned that our batteries also come Bluetooth-equipped? By using our Ionic App, you can tell the exact status of your batteries at any moment in time.

High-Quality Ionic Lithium Batteries In Cold Weather

Here at Lithium Hub, we’re proud to offer our customers a unique option for batteries that endure a lot of cold weather conditions. Our 12 Volt 300 Ah battery comes with a heater! Out in the boonies? No worries. With this beast of a battery, you can practically take on the tundra. Ice fishing, anyone? This battery lasts 3,000-5,000 cycles. It comes with an 11-year battery warranty so you can feel confident about the longevity of your battery. And like all of our batteries, it features voltage and short-circuit protection. In addition, these batteries won’t accept a charge if the temperature isn’t safe to do so.

Ionic lithium batteries use advanced BMS technology that makes them exceptionally safe and long-lasting. Following these battery precautions throughout the cold winter will only stretch your battery’s exceptional lifespan. To learn more, read “What’s The Best Battery For Cold Weather?”

Ever wonder how long marine batteries should last? Find out here!