Modern batteries are also much more efficient than they used to be. So, putting them in the refrigerator can do more harm than good. Condensation from putting batteries in the refrigerator can damage them. Extreme cold and extreme heat can also reduce battery life.
Not only can condensation from the refrigerator damage batteries, but prolonged exposure to extreme cold also can reduce battery life. Your best bet is to keep batteries at room temperature in a dark and dry place. To avoid leaking or rupturing, be sure your batteries don't come into contact with metal objects.
Cold temperatures won't harm your batteries. Depending on how cold we are talking about, it will cause them to lose their charge faster and shorten the runtime while being used in such temperatures, but it will not degrade them in terms of long-term lifespan/longevity.
As easy as it may be to have a dedicated “battery drawer” or to store loose batteries in a plastic zipper bag together, it's not a great idea. Batteries can easily come into contact with each other, which can cause a short circuit, or at the very least cause them to discharge and become drained.
Store your batteries at room temperature
Contrary to popular belief, batteries should never be stored in the freezer. For best results, store your batteries in a climate-controlled room without heat fluctuations. Heat can harm any type of battery and changing temperatures reduce battery performance.
So, to estimate how long the battery will run the fridge: Run Time = Battery Capacity / Fridge Amp-hours = 100Ah / 30Ah/day = 3.3 days. Therefore, a 100Ah LiFePO4 lithium battery can run a 12V Fridge for about 3.3 days.
DO practice proper battery storage by keeping batteries in a cool, dry place at normal room temperature. It's not necessary to store batteries in a refrigerator.
Storing batteries in the freezer to make them last longer is an old myth. People used to follow this myth to increase the battery's lifespan and overall performance. It is a fact that chemical reactions slow down when you put a battery in a freezing environment, but it does not make a worthy difference.
We recommend storing batteries at room temperature in a dry environment. Extreme heat or cold reduces battery performance. You'll want to avoid putting battery-powered devices in very warm places. In addition, refrigeration is not necessary or recommended.
Due to internal reactions giving off heat, batteries will typically warm up during use. Constant use of a device—even in colder climates—can protect the battery from degrading. However, when batteries are left idle in the cold for long periods of time they can sustain permanent damage.
While storing batteries in the freezer may seem like a way to prolong their life, it can actually damage them. The same goes for storing batteries in the refrigerator. It's best to store them at room temperature and use them regularly.
Battery blankets are specialized coverings for automotive 12-volt batteries that start engines — rather than the large lithium-ion battery packs that power electric vehicles — and they're designed to help the battery maintain a stable temperature in cold weather.
If you've Googled how to store batteries long-term, you've probably seen the myth that putting batteries in the refrigerator will help them last longer, but that isn't true. While the cooler temperature might lengthen the battery life, the moisture inside the refrigerator could damage the battery in other ways.
Batteries eventually leaking or corroding is a relatively common occurrence, especially familiar with alkaline AA cells if they're left unattended for long enough. In short, the reason alkaline batteries leak is that they're continually self-discharging in tiny increments, even when not in use.
Modern batteries are also much more efficient than they used to be. So, putting them in the refrigerator can do more harm than good. Condensation from putting batteries in the refrigerator can damage them. Extreme cold and extreme heat can also reduce battery life.
Panasonic states, "If loose batteries contact each other, or if the terminals come into contact with other metal objects, this could cause short-circuit." This is why throwing individual batteries into a plastic bag or lining them up neatly in a junk drawer isn't the best idea.
At temperatures below 32°F or 0°C, the voltage that an alkaline battery can deliver will drop significantly, and its lifespan will be greatly reduced.
Can I store my battery in my garage during the winter, or will it freeze? Provided the batteries are maintained in a fully charged status, batteries can be stored in temperatures as low as -25°F without freezing.
If battery terminals touch, they can spark and catch fire. To prevent this, tape the terminals of used batteries. Always use clear sticky tape. Different batteries have terminals in different places.
Energizer MAX® AA, AAA, C, and D cells last up to 10 years in storage, while our 9V lasts up to 5 years in storage.
**Decreased self-discharge:** Batteries tend to self-discharge (lose charge) even when not in use. Storing them in a cold environment like a refrigerator can lower the rate of self-discharge, thus helping the battery retain its charge for longer periods.
Batteries can run indoors without a problem. They have some downsides: expense, maintenance, and limited runtime. Solar would provide plenty of power while the sun is out, but it would need batteries to keep the fridge running while the sun's down.