Post-Season Battery Storage Practices

[TennBikeBerk]

So now that the season has come to a close, what are people doing with their batteries? Team 1717, as well as many others I'd assume, is still needing to use a few batteries for demonstrations, test purposes, etc., but the bulk of our batteries do not need to be used.

What is the best practice for maximizing battery life? Should we pick two or three batteries for our demonstrations, and set the others aside OR should we be continually rotating through all of our batteries? If we set batteries aside, should we keep them on a trickle charger, let them discharge, or what?

[sanddrag]

I talked to the MK rep whilst in the airport. He said it is best to store them fully charged. And when they are stored for any real long period of time, they can lose some performance, but, as long as they are stored charged, in a room temperature place, they should be fine.

[Conor Ryan]

• Don't leave them plugged in over the summer, i won't even start to list the reasons.

• Do give them a full charge before putting them away
• Do cycle if possible (but always do a full charge before storing)
• Store them in a cool, dry place (don't let them get above 75*F)
• Use the AndyMark battery protectors when storing them
• If they aren't used until next winter, take off all the tape when you take them out of storage and check the connections and re-insulate.

A good rule of thumb is to try to use batteries for 3 years, then dispose of them. If you have too many, a rookie might like some.

[Pavan Dave]

Originally Posted by Conor Ryan

[list][*]Use the AndyMark battery protectors when storing them.

What do the AM battery protectors do? I have seen them and have used them once as organizers for which batteries have been charged or not but what does keeping them on do for the battery's health?

Thanks,
Pavan.

[Conor Ryan]

Originally Posted by Pavan

What do the AM battery protectors do? I have seen them and have used them once as organizers for which batteries have been charged or not but what does keeping them on do for the battery's health?

Thanks,
Pavan.

It's more of a safety feature, they cover the leads so something else can't. And they happen to help organize which ones are charged/not charged

[Al Skierkiewicz]

I would like to add to the MK rep the following...
Make sure that all insulation is tight and replace any that might fall off in storage. Make sure that the batteries are stored away from metal (i.e. not on metal shelving) and in an area where someone can place objects on top or allow objects to fall on them. Do not store where they will go through excess temperature extremes, i.e. don't store in a closed garage where summer temps will rise above 80 or winter temps will fall below freezing. It might help to seal the battery connector in a plastic bag so that the contacts will not oxidize or be exposed to moisture. Store multiple batteries with the terminals all facing the same way. This prevents batteries from shorting or discharging through contact. The AM protectors will also inhibit someone from connecting two battery connectors together. Don't store in direct sunlight.

[VEN]

Make sure to cycle your batts guys

[TennBikeBerk]

Can the chargers supplied in the KOP be left on for a long period of time...specifically beyond the point at which the batteries are fully charged? Is there some sort of trickle charge mode?

I know it's not good to leave chargers on, unattended, for long periods of time, but will it overcharge the batteries, or will they be okay?

[Al Skierkiewicz]

The chargers do go into a trickle charge mode once they have determined the state of charge on the battery connected. After that, the battery is periodically checked for state of charge. I do not recommend that the charger be left powered and connected to a battery any longer than a day or two. In the event of a failure in the charger, the battery could be destroyed and the resultant damage could cause additional damage to the surrounding area. The charger also produces heat whether charging or idle so the life of the charger will be extended if left unplugged when not in use.

[Chris Fultz]

On a related note -

I tried to buy some additional chargers and had a hard time finding them in stock. Is there a suitable alternate charger being used by any teams?

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Chris,
We found a six output charger that is essentially the same as the single charger. I think we bought it from McMaster-Carr. It has six amp output current and is designed to hang on a wall. I will email Nate and see if he still has the part number. We have been using for a couple of years now. We added the 50 amp Power Pole connectors to it.