PB Li-ion battery shelf life?

1. Marc Heusser - 2 November 2003

   As I have to replace my Pismo because its batteries are dead (and the high price of Li-ion replacement batteries), I wonder whether I should order one or two additional Li-ion batteries now.
   What is the shelf life? ie can I keep them unused (or just occasionally charged) for eg 2 years and start using them then?
   Or is it better to pay a higher price for a fresh battery in two years time?

   Just asking because the Pismo battery price went through the roof after the series was discontinued. I'd like that not happening to me again.

   I need to order today to get the special price from our university.

   TIA

   Marc

   Marc Heusser - Zurich, Switzerland
   Coaching - Consulting - Counselling - Psychotherapy
   http://www.heusser.com remove the obvious CHEERS and MERCIAL... from the reply address to reply via e-mail

2. Mike - 2 November 2003

   Afraid they start deteriorating from the day they are manufactured, basic rule is always check the manufacture date when buying, when using avoid deep discharges, if leaving on the shelf leave with 50% charge.

3. John Johnson - 2 November 2003

   IIRC, the stated storage life of the Pismo Li-ion battery is approx. 2 years. It is not clear to me whether the operational life of this battery could be longer than this (e.g. if you bought 2 batteries, and stored each one for alternate months, would you get more than 2 years out of them? I don't know).

   I mostly figure that a battery every 2 or 3 years isn't that big of a deal, considering the worries that I incur if I attempt to pre-purchase and correctly store a battery. I'll let someone else worry about storage and pay the "premium."

4. Ben Gurion - 7 November 2003

   As mentioned above, mine is now almost 3 years (from the day of purchase, real age will be eventually numerous month more) with cautious use. however there's little sense in storing a Li battery, as they loose capacity (in the range of 10% per year afaik), even when not used at all.

   I'll let someone else worry about storage and pay the "premium."

   As storage makes no sense with Lis, just buy a new one when needed. Alas one should try to buy from a manufacturer, that can provide a date of production, otherwise one can't know, if the battery hasn't been sitting in some shelf for ages, and thus beeing far from new.

   hth,
   ben

5. Duncan James Murray - 20 November 2003

   Li-ion degrades from the day they are made, so any attempts to prolong the life of them is just a matter of slowing the decay.

   15 degrees C (i.e. in your fridge) and at 40% charge are the optimum conditions. Worst storage condition is at 100% charge and high temp (as in when it's in your laptop - will lose 10% each year).

   Duncan.