Storing a car battery is important for optimal performance and longevity. Whether you are going on an extended holiday, have a vehicle you don’t use often or you want to store your battery, then you should follow the proper storage practices to prevent damage. Storing your car battery properly can extend its lifespan.
A car battery is a required vehicle component that delivers electrical power to operate the engine and run various electrical systems in the vehicle. So, correct storage of car batteries is important, otherwise it can lead to the battery being damaged, or corrosion of the terminals. This blog will tell you the 10 tips to storing a car battery for a long time, read below to understand more.
Why Proper Battery Storage Matters When Storing A Car Battery?
Before understanding the practices of storing a car battery, you must know its importance. Here are reasons why you should store your car battery properly.
- To prevent damage
Improper storage of the battery results in damage that reduces its lifespan and performance. To maintain optimal performance and increase its lifespan, we need to store it properly.
- Safety
Batteries are made up of corrosive chemicals and pose safety risks if you do not handle them properly or store them properly.
- Cost savings
Proper Storage of a car battery can extend its lifespan. It saves you money in the long run by reducing frequent maintenance or replacements.
10 Tips for Storing Car Battery Properly
Storing your car battery is important to maintain longevity and health, especially if you want to use it for the long term. Improper storage of batteries increases damage, lifespan and unexpected failures. So, here are the best tips you should follow to Store Car Battery.
1. Clean the Battery Thoroughly Before Storage
Batteries accumulate grime, dirt or corrosion, especially on terminals. Before you store a car battery, you should give it a good clean. You should clean the battery with a combination of water and baking soda to remove unwanted build-up, or you can use boiling water out of the kettle and slowly pour it over the terminals.
It is suggested to gently scrub the surface using a wire brush. You should dry the battery well, after cleaning it. This ensures that the battery will remain in good condition, prevent potential issues, and allow you to use it for the long term.
2. Fully charge the battery before storing
A fully charged battery is less prone to sulfation, a process where sulfate builds up on battery plates and reduces its capability to maintain charge. So, you have to charge the battery completely before storing it. You can use a battery maintainer to ensure that it remains in top condition.
3. Store the battery in dry, cool location
You should select the right storage location to Store the Car Battery, in a cool and dry location. To store the battery in an optimal environment, you should consider the following points.
- Cool and dry: You should choose the right place to store the battery, within 10°C and 25°C (77°F). To prevent excessive cold/heat exposure.
- Avoid extreme temperatures: High temperatures can increase the self-discharge of the battery, whereas freezing temperatures can cause damage to the battery. It is best to not store your car batteries in too hot or too-cold temperatures.
- Away from moisture: Keep batteries away from moisture prone areas, because it causes leakage.
- Stable and secure: You must store the battery in a stable position and keep it away from the possibility of tipping, falling, or damage.
4. Disconnect the Battery Safely from the Vehicle
Once you are done with cleaning the battery, you should disconnect the battery. Make sure you disconnect both the battery terminals from the vehicle. Disconnecting the battery is important to prevent parasitic car battery draining and ensure safety while storing.
Before disconnecting the battery, it is suggested to consult with the vehicle owner or get guidance from a professional to understand the tips and precautions for disconnecting the battery. You must start by turning off the ignition and all electrical systems in the car, to ensure that there are no active modules that are drawing power from the battery.
It is suggested to properly identify the positive terminal and negative terminal of the battery. The negative terminal is marked with “-“ system in black colour, whereas the positive terminal is marked with “+” symbol in red colour.
Disconnect the battery terminals properly, to prevent them from coming in contact with each other or metal surfaces, use a rag or plastic terminal cover to prevent contact.
5. Use a Battery Maintainer or Trickle Charger
Maintaining the battery charge during storage is important to extend its lifespan. It is suggested to use a trickle charger or battery maintainer to give low level, steady charge and prevent the battery from being discharged over time. This system helps you to keep your battery at optimal charge without overheating it. Trickle charges keep the battery charged even while in storage, and allow the battery to be ready to use when needed. Regular monitoring of battery chargers is important to ensure that they work correctly and are maintained for a long time.
6. Avoid Storing the Battery on Concrete Floors
Do not Storing Your Car battery on concrete floors because it discharges the battery and reduces its performance with time. It is suggested to place the battery on a non-conductive surface to prevent further issues. You should use a rubber mat, piece of wood, or thick cloth to insulate the battery from cold, damp concrete and reduce discharge risk. This precaution helps you to maintain battery charge and health during long-term storage.
7. Check and Maintain Fluid Levels (for Non-Sealed Batteries)
For maintenance-required batteries and non-sealed batteries, it is suggested to check and consistently maintain electrolyte levels. You should remove the caps carefully, check fluid levels, and ensure that it is above the minimum marks. If the electrolyte levels are low, then you should top up with distilled water and avoid overfilling it to reduce spills.
Regular maintenance helps you to maintain chemical balance of the battery and prevent damage. While checking battery fluids, you should wear safety goggles, gloves and follow safety tips to avoid any accidents. You should regularly check fluid levels to ensure that your car battery remains in an optimal condition while in storage.
8. Protect Terminals with Petroleum Jelly or Terminal Spray
Corrosion on battery terminals can degrade performance and reduce lifespan. So, it is suggested to protect the battery terminals with terminal spray or petroleum jelly/WD40/Inox to prevent corrosion. These coatings serve as a barrier against moisture and contaminants, and ensure that terminals will rust free and clean.
It is suggested to regularly inspect battery terminals and reapply the protective coating when required. These tips help you to maintain battery connections and increase their lifespan.
9. Regularly Check the Battery’s Condition
Checking the battery condition during storage is also important to ensure its longevity. You should inspect the electrolyte levels of the batteries. If required, you should top up with distilled water, and avoid overfilling the cells. This step ensures optimal performance of the battery and prevents overflow damage.
It is suggested to maintain cleanliness around the battery. Debris, dirt and moisture can cause corrosion or electrical issues to your battery. So, you have to clean the battery by wiping off dust and grime properly. You should create a suitable environment for the battery, whilst in storage.
Regular evaluation of car batteries is essential to detect issues early. You must inspect the battery periodically for signs of leaks, damage, or corrosion that develop while storing. You should take action promptly, prevent deterioration, and ensure effective periodic maintenance.
10. Reinstalling and Testing the Battery After Storage
Once you store the battery and now you need to use it, you should reinstall the battery. Begin by cleaning the terminals. You must reconnect the positive terminal first, followed by the negative terminal. You should test the battery’s voltage using a multimeter and ensure that it will maintain the charge and optimal performance. If voltage is low, you must charge the battery before using it in the vehicle. This ensures that the battery will work at peak performance.
Conclusion
A car battery is a crucial investment, and proper storage is important to maintain optimal performance and longevity. Whether you are a car enthusiast with a collection of cars or someone who wants to store a battery for a long time, knowing the right tips for Storing your Car Battery is important. With regular maintenance checks and the right precautions, your battery will stay in a healthy condition and remain reliable.
