Cordless tool technology has come a long way from the NiCad battery packs. Lithium-Ion battery packs last longer and run better than other competitor battery types. But even though Lithium-Ion batteries can run in the cold, can you store Milwaukee batteries in the cold?
It is best to store Milwaukee Batteries at room temperature for charging and storing. Milwaukee Lithium-Ion batteries are designed to be used in below-freezing temperatures but may Buzz until the battery warms up.
Lithium-ion batteries do not need to be warmed up fully before use either; they will buzz while warming up but are safe to use. The purpose of easing into the job and allowing the battery to warm up is to save battery life as it exerts more energy in the cold.
How to Store Batteries for the Winter In Extreme Cold Environments
All batteries will lose power when the temperature is too low; lithium-ion is favored amongst tradespeople for its capability to operate in frigid temperatures over competitive battery types.
However, storing the tools overnight in a work truck won’t drain the battery. Most Lithium-ion does exceptionally well in the cold, and Milwaukee has the following recommendations for storing their batteries in winter.
Storing a Lithium-Ion Battery:
- Store the batteries in a cool, dry place
- Avoid temperatures above 49 degrees Celsius
- Do not allow them to get wet (including condensation)
Moisture and water do not mix with metal and electricity. As a result, naturally, rust occurs on the battery charging terminals from storing them in a damp place, making them more difficult to charge or ruining the charging ports altogether.
How Long Will the Charge Last?
Milwaukee Lithium-ion battery packs will last approximately one year on a charge while stored. They should be recharged usually after that time frame, according to Milwaukee.
Lithium Batteries Are Much Better In 2022
Most tradespeople agree in Toolsinaction’s tool forum about the performance of lithium-ion batteries in cordless tools.
They are much more dependable than they used to be; therefore, more companies are starting to use these cells designed by battery companies over an in-house battery design.
The Battery Does Not Need to Be Fully Discharged to Re-Charge
Unlike NiCad batteries, lithium-ion packs do not need to be fully discharged to recharge the battery.
Therefore, it does not shorten the battery life; a reasonable charge from a lithium-ion battery will last longer compared to NiCad batteries.
If storing the battery for an extended period, some places recommend keeping the battery at about a fifty percent charge.
There is no recommendation directly from Milwaukee tools, only from third-party customers.
Can You Leave Lithium-Ion Batteries Outside In the Winter?
People that work in cold climates may leave tools on their trucks in the winter, and lithium-ion batteries will be perfectly fine operational-wise if one chooses to do so.
The recommended temperature to store and charge the batteries is between zero and fifty degrees Celsius.
Although Lithium-ion batteries operate better than other batteries in cold weather, the cold still affects their ability to charge and recharge. The lower the temperature, the harder it is to charge the battery.
The battery can be stored in cold temperatures; however, it should be indoors in a cool, dry space and recharged after that one-year time frame mentioned above.
Lithium-Ion Batteries Are Constantly Used In Cold Weather
Lithium-Ion batteries are finding more applications to be used in cold weather preferably. Cold weather presents a significant problem for a battery’s cells; however, Lithium-Ion seems much more resistant to the cold.
Automotive companies recommend using a lithium-ion battery for recreational vehicles that operate in cold weather. This is because lithium cells are not prone to losing charge like lead-acid or other battery types.
Even though temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius may slow charging performance, most performance changes are overlooked because they are minimal and hardly noticeable with lithium.
Accessories Help Keep the Battery Warm
A gel pad or warming mat may be necessary to safely store the batteries when you live in an area where the temperature is consistently below freezing.
Using a heating mat to safely store the batteries can help keep them at an acceptable temperature during the charge if necessary.
Conclusion
Lithium-ion batteries are no exception to the rule; the only difference is that they do not react as fast as NiCad or lead acid (alkaline) batteries when it comes to temperature.
As a result, the lithium-ion battery used by Milwaukee is fully operational in cold weather with no compromise to performance.
