Good news: you’ve just invested in a new 12V lithium battery; they are longer-lasting than lead-acid batteries and offer much higher energy density, making them more powerful, lighter, and more compact overall.
That being said, the cost of lithium batteries does justify an investigation into how to protect the investment.
Disconnect Before Storing
While you can leave 12V lithium batteries connected when not in use, any parasitic drains on the circuit should be disconnected.
Moreover, the self-discharge rate of lithium batteries is one of their big selling points. Ultimately, even so, it’s best if you do disconnect the battery as that will minimize drain on the charge.
Disconnecting the battery will help prevent the charge level from dropping to an undesirable threshold, which should extend the life of the battery and its performance.
Fully Charge Before Storing
Before you disconnect and store a 12V lithium battery, you should top off the charge. This will protect the battery’s cells and will also help prevent the battery from falling to a low charge level, especially if you are not constantly monitoring it.
Cover and Protect the Terminals
Covering your battery’s terminals is a good safety precaution because if you cover the terminals you will greatly reduce the risk of short-circuiting or arcing the battery. Also, by covering the terminals, you lower the risk that incidental contact with any nearby metal will electrify it. Even if it were not a matter of safety, by covering the terminals, you’re preventing incidental contact with any connections that would result in accelerated parasitic drain that will drop the charge level of the battery.
Protect Against Extreme Lows
While lithium batteries are generally well-regarded for their durability and longevity, exposure to extremely cold, sub-freezing temperatures is not good for them. Temporary exposure to cold is no big deal as long as the battery has a good charge level, but prolonged exposure to extreme cold can damage the ability of the battery to hold a charge, especially if the charge level is already low.
If Removing the 12V Lithium Battery Pack, Choose Somewhere Cool, Dry and Shaded
If you’ll be removing the 12V lithium battery from its compartment and storing it somewhere else (for instance, to safeguard it against exposure to extreme temperatures) then choose a location that is shaded, cool and dry. Storing the battery under these conditions will not only help extend the lifespan of the battery but will help prevent corrosion.
Inspect Your Battery Periodically
Depending on how long your battery will be in storage or otherwise in a state of disuse, you should make a habit out of physically inspecting it as well as monitoring the charge level periodically. At least once a week check the charge level and if you notice it dropping, charge the battery fully.
Here for a New 12V Lithium Battery?
High-quality LiFePO4 lithium batteries can provide several thousand charge cycles, and when properly cared for can last between 5 and longer than 10 years. Naturally, caring for and properly maintaining the battery will extend the lifespan and increase the likelihood that the battery will perform on the upper end of its range.
If you haven’t yet invested in a lithium battery (regardless of your application) a great place to get started is BigBattery. They not only sell a wide range of different lithium batteries for RVs, golf carts, marine applications, and solar energy systems (among other applications) but they have a variety of helpful resources and their customer service team is top-tier. If you still have questions about lithium batteries or are not sure what to get, give them a call and they’ll help you find what you need.
