Storing Low Discharge Batteries. Refrigerator or not?

Is there any advantage to storing LSD NiMH/Eneloop type batteries in the refridgerator?

In my experience, storing NiMH batteries at anything but room temperature will generally not benefit you. Cold temperatures will reduce a battery's performance, but not its self-discharge rate.

As far as I'm aware, storing NiMH batteries at 50-100% charge at room temperature is best for them.

In my experience, storing NiMH batteries at anything but room temperature will generally not benefit you. Cold temperatures will reduce a battery's performance, but not its self-discharge rate.

 

As far as I'm aware, storing NiMH batteries at 50-100% charge at room temperature is best for them.

Self discharge is governed by the Arrhenius equations and normal NiMH self discharge is quite temperature dependent. The envelop type batteries have such a low discharge rate that reducing it by half or more (factor of 2 for 10 degrees C) will not change the storage time very much. If you lose 3% per month and that goes to 1.5% per month you are not gaining a lot. Put beer in the fridge instead (its half life will be a lot shorter, I guess).

Bill

Thanks all.

You'll find pretty definitive info here: http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/

HTH, Tim

The best way to prevent self-discharge on ANY battery: Discharge daily under load..... <<DIVE OFTEN>>

Sorry, I couldn't resist that...