Many people have found that a battery seems very short-lived in the cold of winter. A full charge normally lasts a long time, so why does it last only just over ten hours in winter? Below we discuss how temperature affects a battery.

1. High temperature

When a battery runs in hot weather, the main problem is overcharging. As the battery temperature rises, the activity of the active materials increases, the oxygen-evolution potential of the positive plate falls and that of the negative plate also falls, so the charging reaction is fast, the charging current is large, and a lower charging voltage is needed. To prevent an excessively high charging voltage, keep the battery temperature as low as possible, so that the effect of temperature is reduced. Ensure good heat dissipation, avoid charging right after exposure to strong sunlight, and keep the battery away from heat sources.

2. Low temperature

At low temperature, the activity of each active material decreases, the dissolution of lead on the electrodes becomes difficult, and the lead consumed during charging is hard to replenish, so the charging current drops sharply. At -20°C, the charging current accepted by the positive plate is only 70% of that at room temperature, while the negative plate, affected by the expansion inhibitor, accepts even less, at only 40% of the room-temperature value at -20°C. Therefore, charging at low temperature mainly suffers from poor acceptance and undercharging, which requires a higher charging voltage and longer charging time. Improving low-temperature performance should start with the negative plate. When used in the cold, the battery should be kept warm and protected from freezing; in particular, charging it in a warm environment helps it reach a full charge, prevents the formation of irreversible sulfate, and extends battery life. At low temperature, the effect of temperature on the battery is greatest.

So a reminder: temperature has a very large effect on a battery. Whether in the cold of winter or the sultry heat of summer, be sure to protect the battery well.