User Guide

21
USER’S GUIDE
21
6 Storage
The following tips will help ensure that your batteries emerge from storage in good condition:
î Charge batteries before placing them in storage.
î Store in a cool and dry location, protected from the elements.
î Disconnect from equipment to eliminate potential parasitic loads that may discharge the battery.
î Batteries gradually self-discharge during transit and storage, so monitor the specic gravity or
open-circuit voltage of ooded batteries every 4 - 6 weeks. Monitor the open circuit voltage for
AGM or gel batteries every 2 - 3 months.
î Batteries in storage should be charged when they decline to the following state of charge (SOC):
o Flooded batteries: 70% SOC
o AGM/gel batteries: 75% SOC
î Refer to Table 7 for the relationship between SOC, specic gravity (ooded only) and open-circuit
voltage. If charging is needed, follow the normal charging procedure outlined in Section 5.2.
î When batteries are taken out of storage they should be given an initial charge as outlined in
Section 5 prior to use.
6 .1.  Storage in Hot Environments
Storage in hot environments (greater than 90°F or 32°C) can negatively impact batteries. Avoid direct
exposure to heat sources, if possible, during storage. Batteries self-discharge faster at high temperatures.
If batteries are stored during hot summer months, monitor State-of-Charge on a regular basis as follows:
î Flooded batteries: check specic gravity or voltage
every 2 - 4 weeks.
î AGM or gel batteries: check voltage
every 1 - 2 months.
6.2. Storage in Cold
Environments
If possible, avoid locations where freezing temperatures
are expected during storage. Batteries can freeze in cold
temperatures (less than 32°F or 0°C) if they are not fully
charged. If batteries are stored during cold winter months,
it is critical that they be kept at a high state of charge as
outlined above.
Freezing Point of Electrolyte
Specic
Gravity
Temperature
°C °F
1.280 68.9 92.0
1.265 57.4 71.3
1.250 52.2 62.0
1.200 26.7 16.0
1.150 15.0 5.0
1.100 7.2 19
Source: BCI Service Manual © 1995