For all kinds of appliances, there are appropriate batteries. If you own a couple of appliances that are powered by batteries, you will probably have different types and shapes of batteries, which you will need to store in your home for later use. Below, you will find some best practices on how to store batteries.
Keep them in their original packaging
Did you just buy a new pack of batteries and would you like to unbox them immediately? Hold your horses! If possible, don't open the packaging until you need to start using the batteries. Keeping them in their original packaging has more than one advantage.
- In their original packaging, your new batteries will be protected from environmental factors, such as humidity, which can affect the power of the battery.
- If loose batteries contact each other, or if the terminals come into contact with other metal objects, this could cause short-circuit. When you just keep them in their packaging, this kind of accident isn't possible.
- You will not be able to mix old (used) and new batteries – which is a good thing! (see below)
Separate old and new batteries
Old (used or partly used) and new batteriesshould always be kept separate. Why? If your appliance needs more than one battery, it's best the batteries have the same age, or in other words: about the same capacity. Store your used and new batteries in separate containers or plastic bags and mention the date you bought them. Also, batteries of different types should be kept apart from one another. If they are stored together, they could react and cause short-circuit.
Store them at room temperature or below
Have you ever thought about how to store batteries temperature wise? Most people store them at room temperature, in a dry environment, which is perfectly fine. The perfect temperature for most batteries is 15° Celsius, but a little warmer doesn't harm your batteries. What you should however always respect is that direct sunlight should be avoided at all times, as the number one enemy of batteries is heat.
What are the risks of storing them at too high or too low temperatures? Too high temperatures will cause the self-discharge of the battery to rise. The capacity will drop faster and your battery will not work as long as when it would have been stored in colder temperatures. In principle, low temperatures have a positive impact on the lifespan of batteries, but too low temperatures can go hand in hand with high humidity, which will influence the lifespan of your battery in a negative way (see next storage tip).
So, in short, the lowest chance of problems can be guaranteed by the combination of a dry environment and 15° Celsius.
Keep them away from metal objects
Batteries and metal objects aren't the best friends. If batteries come into contact with metal, they could short-circuit. The container in which you store your batteries should be made of plastic, glass, wood … anything but metal. You can also use a specialized battery storage box. Also, do not store other metal objects in the same container as your batteries. This not only applies to coin batteries, that are more sensitive to short-circuit, but to all kinds of batteries. This also explains why you shouldn't store loose batteries in your pockets, certainly when you like to store coins – as in: metallic money – in them ...
Be sure to control the humidity
Condensation, corrosion and leakagecan be caused by high humidity. And thus should be avoided at all times. Although a fridge is temperature wise a good place to store your batteries, the high humidity will seriously enlarge the risk of condensation. If you really want to store your batteries in your fridge, you should always keep them in a vapor-proof container and let them acclimatize at room temperature for at least 24 hours before use.
If you store your batteries properly, their shelf life will be extended and safety hazard will be reduced extensively. Just keep these tips on how to store batteries in mind and be sure to share them with your family!