Battery Temp'

[Marky T]

Hi all,

The other day I had my Bike Cave arrive, having had too much earache about my bike living in the kitchen, the easiest option was a Bike Cave. Anyway I put the tent up, ordered another alarm to back up the cable alarm I already have and put the bike inside the tent. Since then temperatures dropped and nothing but snow, my pride and joy used to being in a nice warm room, relegated to the harsh winter outsides.
I've taken the battery (a 10ah LifePo4) off, and thats now back indoors, my question is, if the battery was left in these really low temperatures, would it cause any damage or reduce its capacity or lifespan?

Regards Mark

 

[Haku]

I try and take my battery indoors whenever possible during this freezing weather because when it gets real cold it's like it loses capacity and won't go as far.

 

[fishingpaul]

I believe all batteries perform better when warm rather than very cold,so i would keep the battery indoors during the winter.

 

[Pete]

Keep your bike warm and your batteries cold. Yes, they work more efficiently when warm, but their internal losses and chemical decay are minimised by being kept cold. As far as I know this means as cold as possible without actually letting it freeze. So, if you can accept the slight performance hit from a cold battery, it will last longer, not to be sneezed at with today's prices. I'm sure Flecc will come on and give you chapter and verse on this.
Pete

 

[flecc]

A cold battery gives lower current so less performance, but it does tend to make a battery last longer. However, that's mostly when it's stored rather than when being in use, so if in regular use the battery can be kept within the ideal range of 15 to 30 degrees C. That won't materially harm it's life and the performance will be better, especially if outside means near to zero degrees with the very poor performance that results from that much cold.
.

 

[WALKERMAN]

I had my ProConnect battery replaced under warranty last Xmas and it has been fine until last Thursday when it was standing outside in a freezing cold wind. I noticed on the way home that the light was flashing and had to use manual to get home. I had been running on full-power but this would mean I had only done about 8 miles that day from a full charge. I was shocked at this and on doing the 10 second test I am getting four bars lighting up.
I'm a bit surprised at the reduced performance if this is due to the very cold weather.

 

[flecc]

Battery performance can be very severely affected as the internal temperature drops towards zero degrees. Cells are essentially chemical devices and most chemical reactions are dependant upon warmth for efficiency. That's why the most common sight in chemistry laboratories is the Bunsen burner, and a common winter sound is a labouring car starter motor when it's battery struggles to deliver.
.

 

[Mussels]

I had given up with cycle computers because they all seem to have batteries designed for the tropics, I had about 3 different ones fail due to cold weather.

 

[flecc]

I had given up with cycle computers because they all seem to have batteries designed for the tropics, I had about 3 different ones fail due to cold weather.

The Cateye Velo 5 and 8 models that I've always used don't fail me in this way, seeming to carry on with the low voltage even when the battery is very cold. They are wired models of course, I wouldn't rely on any wireless one.
.

 

[john]

According to my LiFePO4 supplier (Yesa), these batteries will operate down to -20 deg C, but will only hold 70% capacity at -10. Current delivery is reduced too at low temperature.

I am still storing and charging mine in an unheated garage as it seems too much bother to bring it in every day.

 

[Barnowl]

The Cateye Velo 5 and 8 models that I've always used don't fail me in this way, seeming to carry on with the low voltage even when the battery is very cold. They are wired models of course, I wouldn't rely on any wireless one.
.

Yes my wireless speedo is very twitchy below 8C. Gives up the ghost at 0C. Picks up again when it warms up so if you have one don't bother changing the battery - it's just the cold. The speedo is not something I rely on so no big deal for me.