It can get well below freezing here. Does cold even bother these newer lithium batteries?

  • StrawberryPigtails@lemmy.sdf.org
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    3 days ago

    Check the data sheet or user manual for your equipment or battery, but generally batteries should be stored indoors at a human comfortable temp and humidity.

    Here’s the manual for mine, but yours may differ:

    https://556aa8d9de68ea9c4f29-0a8acad11a4df5016d26cc39a7429843.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/2/OP40204_404_504_604_339_trilingual_03.pdf

    Ryobi really needs a better URL for their manuals to be stored at. If the direct link to the file sketches you out, for the moment at least this, this link will lead to the same file:

    https://www.ryobitools.com/help-plus/details/46396040428

    • BearOfaTime@lemm.ee
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      14 hours ago

      My experience is lithium batteries really slow down electricity production in cold.

      I’ve tested batteries for car flashlights, and found lithiums will die much faster than any other due to cold. Even after warming up they have less charge (and this use-case needs power now).

      NiMH seems to tolerate cold much better for my use case.

      I don’t store any batteries that I like outside - no battery tech likes extreme temps, some less than others.

      More simplistically, pretty much everything dislikes temp swings or extremes, especially anything plastic. So that’s kind of my guide. If it’s plastic, I bring it in.

    • scallopedllama@lemmy.world
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      3 days ago

      Tldr:

      Do not store or charge battery packs in locations where the temperature is less than 50°F or more than 100°F

      But it also says

      The lithium-ion battery pack can be used in temperatures down to –4°F. Put the battery pack on a tool and use the tool in a light duty application. After about a minute, the pack will warm up and begin operating normally.

      And

      A cold battery pack may be placed directly onto the charger port but charging will not begin until the battery temperature warms to within acceptable temperature range. When a cold battery pack is placed on the charger, the charger may indicate the pack is not ready to charge. Please refer to charger operator’s manual. When the battery pack warms to approximately room temperature the charger will automatically begin charging