How to Prevent Tool Batteries From Draining in Cold Weather
Cold weather poses a problem for lithium batteries: they can lose charge more quickly and also stop charging when the temperature drops. This is because the chemical reaction in a lithium-ion battery slows down when the temperature drops below 40 degrees. Whether you have battery-powered snow removal tools or simply have outdoor projects around the house that you need to get done when it’s cold outside, it can be frustrating. This is more than a little annoying when you consider that charging batteries outside the safe charging temperature range can cause permanent damage to them. Here are a few steps to take to keep your batteries working even when mercury levels drop.
Keep batteries indoors
First, tool batteries should be stored in a climate-controlled area during the cold winter months. If you have an unheated garage, you should bring batteries and chargers indoors to avoid damage and avoid warming batteries before charging them. This will help you prevent the most common type of winter battery damage that occurs when trying to charge batteries in temperatures below 40 degrees. Additionally, a full charge is the first step to extending battery life in the future.
Use the pocket method
If you don’t use your tools outdoors, you can use the pocket method to keep them warm. Putting dead batteries or spares in your coat pocket, or better yet, an inside pocket close to your body, will keep them warm and prevent them from losing charge when not in use. Using your own body heat has the added benefit of being free, but limited by the number of pockets you have to carry it. If you’re using a larger tool that requires multiple batteries, you may need something more advanced.
Keep tools running while batteries are charged.
When you use your tools, leaving them on while they’re in the cold will warm up the batteries a little, but the downside is that constantly running the tools will also shorten the life of the batteries. For short-term use or for snow removal tools like snow blowers, this may be fine, but for long-term use in cold weather, you’ll have to take more steps to keep the battery current.
Use the battery cover
When tools are in use, consider using a battery cover to keep tool batteries warm. They are usually made from silicone, but you can also make them from foam or other flexible insulating material. Putting covers on the batteries makes replacing batteries a hassle, but if insulation will extend the life of the batteries, you won’t have to replace them as often.
Use the refrigerator
Charging batteries outdoors or keeping batteries in a temperature range where they will hold a charge, using an insulated lunch bag or refrigerator to keep them warm can work wonders. A soft-sided lunch bag can accommodate charged batteries, but you can also pass the charger cord through the hole, zip around the cord, and use the charger inside the bag to avoid damaging the battery while charging. If you’re using a hard-sided cooler, you’ll have to cut slots in the lip around the top of the cooler between the sides and the lid to accommodate charger cords, but they can be great for retaining heat while charging.
Use hand warmers
Using hand warmers as a backup heat source or when the temperature is very low can also help and can be used in combination with both the pocket and colder battery insulation methods. There are both disposable and reusable hand warmers, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. While you don’t want your batteries to get too hot (over 100 degrees), some cases require external heat sources. You can throw a hand warmer in your battery insulation cooler or put it in your pocket if you notice the batteries getting cold.