Battery Shelf life & Storage
Most manufacturers set up date coding parameters & guidelines like production and expiry dates that are usually printed on the battery or its packaging. Warranties depend on the age of the battery concerned and its shelf & useable life periods.
| Battery Chemistry | Shelf Life / Storage Life |
|---|---|
| Alkaline | Between 5-7 years from date of manufacture (expiry date usually on packaging and/or battery) |
| Carbon Zinc | 2-3 years from date of manufacture (expiry date usually on packaging and/or battery) |
| Lithium Manganese Dioxide – Cylindrical & 9V Type |
Up to 10 years form date of manufacture (expiry date usually on packaging and/or battery). < 1% self-discharge per year at room temperature. |
| Lithium Manganese Dioxide - Coin Cell |
Between 5-7 years from date of manufacture (expiry date usually on packaging and/or battery). |
| Lithium Sulfur Dioxide | Up to 10 years form date of manufacture (expiry date usually on packaging and/or battery). |
| Lithium Thionyl Chloride | Up to 10 years form date of manufacture (expiry date usually on packaging and/or battery). |
| Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) LMO Lithium Manganese Oxide |
5% self-discharge per month at room temperature (usually stored with 30-40% state of charge). Irreversible capacity loss if stored for > 12 months. |
| Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) LCO Lithium Cobalt Oxide |
Between 1% to 5% self-discharge per month at room temperature (usually stored with 30-40% state of charge). Irreversible capacity loss if stored for > 12 months. |
| Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) NCA Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminium |
Between 2% to 10% self-discharge per month at room temperature (usually stored with 30-40% state of charge). Irreversible capacity loss if stored for > 12 months. |
| Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) NMC Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt | 1% self-discharge per month at room temperature (usually stored with 30-40% state of charge). Irreversible capacity loss if stored for > 12 months. |
| Lithium Titanate LTO | Between 2% to 10% self-discharge per month at room temperature (usually stored with 30-40% state of charge). Irreversible capacity loss if stored for > 12 months. |
| Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4/LFP) | Less than 1% self-discharge per month at room temperature (usually stored with 30-40% state of charge). Irreversible capacity loss if stored for > 12 months. |
| Lithium-Ion Polymer (SLPB) | 0.5% self-discharge per day at room temperature (usually stored with 40% state of charge). Irreversible capacity loss if stored for > 12 months. |
| Mercury Oxide | 3-4 years from date of manufacture (expiry date usually on packaging and/or battery). |
| Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) – Cylindrical & prismatic |
1%-2% self-discharge per day at room temperature, but will fully recover after few charge cycles. Indefinite life but Practical shelf life is 5 years. After 6 months storage should be primed before use. |
| Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) - Button Cell |
< 20% self-discharge per month at room temperature. Indefinite life but Practical shelf life is 5 years. |
| Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) – Cylindrical & Prismatic |
Up to 2% self-discharge per day at room temperature. Indefinite life but Practical shelf life is 5 years. After 6 months storage should be primed before use. |
| Rechargeable Alkaline | 4-5 years from date of manufacture (expiry date usually on packaging and/or battery). |
| Sealed Lead Batteries (AGM/GEL) | 1 year without charging. Charging every 6 months will extend shelf life. Production date code on battery. Do not leave in discharged state. Click on link for handling & storage information. Technical - OEM Information\Panasonic SLA Handling Precaution=s.pdf |
| Sealed Lead Tin Batteries Hawker Cyclon, Monobloc & Genesis |
2 years without charging. Charging every 24 months will extend shelf life. Production date code on battery. Do not leave in discharged state. Click on link for handling & storage information. Technical - OEM Information\Hawker Cyclon Selection Guide.pdf |
| Silver Oxide | 2-3 years from date of manufacture (expiry date usually on packaging and/or battery). |
| Zinc-Air | 2 years from date of manufacture if kept in sealed packaging. Once air activation seal removed (expiry date usually on packaging and/or battery) use immediately. Keep out of warm temperatures as speeds up air activation process even with seal. |
| Zinc-Chloride | 2-3 years from date of manufacture (expiry date usually on packaging and/or battery). |