[BI220]

never really buy batteries, but i just bought a 20pack of Duracell AA batteries. i have never even put batteries in the fridge or freezer before, but i figured i'd come on hear and ask ppl who would actually know, other than my neighbors who seem to think they know everything!

so do they really last a little longer when put in a fridge/freezer? if they do, its probably only 15-30min longer......anyway, id love to hear some experience from you guys. i figured i would find the truth out about this myth, lol

 

[Jeff000]

All I know is that my cell phone dies a lot faster in the cold.
As do my drills, but no idea if storing them in the cold has any effect.

 

[BI220]

i have noticed that with my phone as well.....

 

[BBQ]

Should you refrigerate batteries to make them last longer?

 

[joethemechanic]

Should you refrigerate batteries to make them last longer?

You might be too young to remember when it was necessary to add water to car batteries. The reaction would boil it off--that pesky heat again.

The author loses all credibility with that statement.

 

[BBQ]

The author loses all credibility with that statement.

Please expand on that statement.

 

[joethemechanic]

Water loss in lead acid storage batteries is due to electrolysis. The water is chemically cracked into hydrogen and oxygen and "Gasses off" through the vents.

Nothing to do with heat or boiling

 

[Edrick]

Yes they last longer, not during usage but storage wise. It slows down the chemical process that is created in batteries, now where it comes into play in regular use is a colder battery will run longer, however give less current because of the reaction time, where as a host battery will give off more current and deplete faster.

 

[BBQ]

Yes they last longer, not during usage but storage wise.

Strange that the battery companies disagree with you.

 

[BBQ]

Water loss in lead acid storage batteries is due to electrolysis. The water is chemically cracked into hydrogen and oxygen and "Gasses off" through the vents.

Nothing to do with heat or boiling

I agree, but don't discount the whole article, sometimes they 'dumb things down' as the column is for the general public not guys like you. :thumbsup:

 

[joethemechanic]

Strange that the battery companies disagree with you.

Maybe it's a global battery company conspiracy run by The Masons to sell more batteries

 

[joethemechanic]

Those #6 Eveready dry cells were one of my favorite toys

 

[480sparky]

Those #6 Eveready dry cells were one of my favorite toys

1. That battery ain't gonna run that drill.

2. Mom's gonna KILL you for using her table as a workbench.

 

[Mshea]

I had a light I used for cycling and it had NiMH battery. The manufacturer Night rider recommended I refrigerate my battery during the summer and put it on a charge every 3 months to keep the chemistry fresh. NiMh batteries like a lot of rechargables self discharge and I think the chemistry was supposed to be better if you stored the batteries in a cool place. I just keep them in the garage which stays pretty cool anyway. Once I lose my desired run time i change the cells

 

[joethemechanic]

1. That battery ain't gonna run that drill.

2. Mom's gonna KILL you for using her table as a workbench.

I had a little meltdown on that table attempting single wire transmission, I don't remember how mad mom was, but I was really bummed about ruining my dry cell

I heard the grownups talking about it, but I must have missed the "earth return" part.

 

[oldtimer]

Joe ! From your picture, I have to ask. Aren't you a little young to be on this site?

:laughing:

I may be one of the oldest members, but you must be the youngest!:blink::laughing::laughing:

 

[joethemechanic]

Joe ! From your picture, I have to ask. Aren't you a little young to be on this site?

:laughing:

I may be one of the oldest members, but you must be the youngest!:blink::laughing::laughing:

Seems like yesterday but I think it was really 46 years ago. I think I was 4. I see the ashtray in the background and my grandfather quit smoking in 65. It was before kindergarten I'm pretty sure.

I had a very strange attachment to electricity and machines from the time I was really little. I guess that is what happens when you let a kid grow up in a machine shop/garage environment. Pretty sure today that would be child abuse.

 

[Meadow]

Seems like yesterday but I think it was really 46 years ago. I think I was 4. I see the ashtray in the background and my grandfather quit smoking in 65. It was before kindergarten I'm pretty sure.

I had a very strange attachment to electricity and machines from the time I was really little. I guess that is what happens when you let a kid grow up in a machine shop/garage environment. Pretty sure today that would be child abuse.

Same here, people in my family were all involved with either cars, electrical or construction so it was an interest at an early age.

 

[Big John]

My pop would tinker with stuff, but my family was pretty white collar. Not sure why I've always been interested in electricity, but I know I have been as far back as I can remember.

These were my power source of choice when I was a kid. Had probably 7 or 8 of 'em. Hook 'em together with some pencil filaments and I could get a wicked carbon-arc going.

-John

 

[Edrick]

Strange that the battery companies disagree with you.

Did you bother to read my post? At which statement do they disagree with?