Storing Lithium primaries in a vehicle though winter

[batmanacw]

What are the ramifications of storing lithium primaries (Energizer AA, AAA, and Surefire 123's) in my truck for emergency use in my EDC lights?

I am aware that they might not run right when they are sub freezing, but I could put them in my pocket to warm them up while I am using a secondary EDC light.

I thought I remember someone saying that storing batteries in a refrigerator would slow the self discharge process and give better storage life. Wouldn't this also apply to lithiums?

 

[vio765]

primary lithiums are okay down to -40F. i think you will be fine. i had my D-mini (modified to use 2xAA cells) in my glovebox throughout the entire 2008/2009 winter + 2009 summer (indiana) and got it out about a week ago and tested them on my ZTS battery meter. there were still at 100%. the light fired right up without even a hiccup.

 

[crazyk4952]

What about in the summer?

I would like to know what are the ramifications of storing lithium batteries in a vehicle where outside temps can exceed 100 degrees F in the summer time.

My Battery Station CR123 batteries state not to expose to temps above 100 degrees C (thats 212 degrees F). The inside of a car won't get close to this temp, but it still makes me nervous... :poof:

 

[StarHalo]

Regarding cold: Refrigerator storage of batteries reduces self-discharge only 5%, and you should ideally let the battery warm to room temp before using it. Car storage of lithium primaries is fine as long as the temp doesn't go below -40.

Regarding heat: Lithium primaries are good to 140F, but this temperature can be exceeded in a car interor on a summer day; be sure to store your light in an area that is not only out of sunlight, but where the sunlight also does not shine on the container area itself (such as the glovebox); the trunk is ideal as it's the space in a car where temperatures fluctuate the least.

The 100C warning is stating the temperature at which the battery will die completely/fail instantly, it will still fail to operate at temperatures beyond the operating range (140+F)

 

[Marduke]

Little searching...

http://data.energizer.com/PDFs/temperat.pdf

http://data.energizer.com/PDFs/lithiuml91l92_appman.pdf

http://data.energizer.com/PDFs/lithiumcoin_appman.pdf

 

[ltiu]

Little searching...

http://data.energizer.com/PDFs/temperat.pdf

http://data.energizer.com/PDFs/lithiuml91l92_appman.pdf

http://data.energizer.com/PDFs/lithiumcoin_appman.pdf

This is great. Thanks Marduke.

 

[ampdude]

I have stored lithium primary batteries in my vehicle glovebox in Surefire spares carriers for years with no ill effects. Where air temperature over that time has varied from -45F to 115F.

If I were to use them in the winter time I would try to warm them up somehow first. Off course, this time of year they get warmed up when my vehicle is running.