How to Correctly Store Your Garden Machinery Batteries

 

Battery powered garden machines are the fastest growing area of our market. And as many of these user-friendly, zero-emission cordless tools now perform at a comparable level to petrol alternatives, it’s easy to see why.

While battery garden tools and machinery are far easier to maintain than petrol-powered models, as well as being just as reliable, it’s still important to look after them. And one of the best ways you can do this is by knowing how to correctly store your garden machinery batteries when they’re not in use.

Here, we answer the most common battery and storage questions, so you can practise the very best home battery storage…

Why Is Domestic Battery Storage So Important?

Just like with any rechargeable power source, the highly advanced nature of garden machinery batteries’ components means they need storing with care. Failure to do so can result in lost power output, reduced runtime, and a shorter lifespan.

However, by following our straightforward advice on storing batteries, you can help keep your garden machinery batteries in tip-top condition and cordless tools running smoothly.

Can Batteries Be Stored in Their Garden Machines?

Some cordless garden machines are powered by integrated, unremovable batteries, which obviously makes them far simpler to store. In these cases, simply switch off the power, clean any dirt from the tool, pull out its activation key, and store in a dry, secure place.

However, as these types of tool are the exception, rather than the norm, in all other cases it is best practice to always remove the battery from the machine that it powers when it’s not in use. Failure to do so risks damaging both the battery and appliance.

By the same token, you should never leave the battery in its charger once the charging process is complete.

 

Should I Charge Garden Machinery Batteries Before Storing Them?

Storing a battery at the correct charge level keeps it working efficiently, prevents it degrading, and so prolongs its life. It is an essential requirement of good home battery storage.

Conventional wisdom used to state that you should fully charge your garden machinery batteries before storing them. The reasoning behind this is that when a battery is not in use, it slowly discharges its stored energy. So, if you store a partially charged battery, chances are that it might not contain enough energy to power your garden tool when it comes out of storage.

Even more seriously, the battery might have gone through the process of deep discharge, which can occur when a battery becomes fully depleted. Here, because the cells will look to discharge themselves even further, they eventually become irreversibly damaged, making it impossible to fully recharge the battery and eventually rendering it unusable.

Although this logic of fully charging a battery before storage still holds with older garden machinery batteries, it no longer applies to newer models. The reason for this is that they will invariably be powered by lithium ion batteries.

Lithium Ion Battery Storage

Lithium ion (sometimes abbreviated to li ion) batteries experience much lower levels of self discharge. They also include integrated fuses capable of switching a highly discharged battery into a rest state, thereby reducing the risk of deep discharge. This makes lithium ion battery storage different to that recommended for older styles of battery.

Although it is still not advisable to put a lithium ion battery with very low charge into storage, this type of battery can be negatively impacted when stored fully charged too. Therefore, your aim with li ion battery storage should be to store them with a partial charge of between 40 and 60 %. This is usually the level when there are two lights showing on the charger’s LED indicator.

Following this lithium ion storage advice should minimise the risk of your li ion batteries self discharging, optimise their performance, and increase their lifespan.

You can find the best lithium ion garden machinery batteries here.

Are Lithium Batteries the Same as Lithium Ion?

No, lithium batteries are not the same as lithium ion. The main difference is that the former are a primary cell and have a one-way process, while the latter are secondary cells, operating through a reversible electrochemical process. In layman’s terms, this means that, unlike lithium ion batteries, lithium batteries are designed for single-use applications and therefore NOT rechargeable.

So, if you read advice elsewhere about storing lithium batteries, don’t confuse it with battery storage lithium ion/ li ion storage.

Check Battery Terminals Before Storage

Battery terminals are the connecting points between the battery and tool that it powers, facilitating the flow of power in and out of the battery. This makes them absolutely vital components of any battery.

So, before storing your garden machinery batteries, always ensure their terminals are clean and free of corrosion.

Where Should I Store My Garden Machinery Batteries?

Garden machinery batteries should be stored in a dry place, away from direct sunlight, with a temperature of between 5 and 25 degrees centigrade.

We recommend keeping them in your home, as opposed to the shed or garage, as it is less prone to damp and fluctuations in temperature.

If, for whatever reason, you are unable to do this, the best way to store batteries in  a garage or shed is to use a battery storage container. Using container battery storage has the advantages of regulating the temperature, protecting the battery, and reducing the risk of the battery becoming hazardous.

And if you are storing multiple garden machinery batteries, it’s a great idea to label either the individual batteries or their storage cases, so as to avoid any uncertainties when the time once again comes to use them.

What About Long-Term Garden Machinery Battery Storage?

If you are storing batteries long term, you should aim to charge them (to between 40 and 60 %) once every three months to maintain optimum charge levels. On top of this, keep a written record of when each battery went into storage and its charge level at the time. Clearly, this will help you better look after the batteries.

As well as keeping their charge levels optimised, be sure to check on your batteries at regular intervals, just to ensure everything’s as you’d expect, so you can nip any potential problems in the bud.

Always Read the Operating Manuals

If you are ever in any doubt about the type of battery used to power your garden machinery, or the correct storage procedures to follow, you can always find this information in their operating manuals. These documents should also confirm the optimum charging level when you put the battery into storage.

If you can’t lay your hands on the manual, the manufacturer’s website should also have this information.

And remember, by following the manufacturer’s guidance, you are protecting your investment by sticking to the conditions set out in your battery’s and garden machine’s warranties.

To Summarise

For a quick recap of our advice on storing garden machinery batteries, why not watch this short video, courtesy of our friends at Husqvarna?…

Garden Machinery Batteries for Sale

Here, at Ron Smith, we have a superb range of garden machinery batteries for sale.  In fact, you could say we’re a genuine battery superstore when it comes to cordless garden machinery!

We also sell battery chargers, battery storage boxes and other battery tool accessories, so you can keep your cordless garden tools and machinery running smoothly, with minimal fuss.

And if you’d like to find out more about any of these products, or have further questions about storing batteries, don’t forget that our Hereford and Worcester-based Garden Machinery Experts are always on hand to help.