Batteries are actually very simple parts if you know a thing or two about them. If you know basic chemistry, then it won’t take much to understand batteries.
It is common to misunderstand what batteries can do or what they are capable of. This is because they can last for years and automatically function without you having to worry about them. The only time that people tend to notice or give attention to batteries is when they die or are not working. This is why we will go through a thing or two about the workings of batteries, such as how they fair in cold temperatures.
What Happens to Batteries in Cold Weather
A lot of people actually don’t know or at least don’t end up knowing until it happens that batteries get affected by the cold weather. When batteries are expose to cold temperatures, colder than the battery is comfortable with, their performance or capacity lessens. This means that the battery won’t last as long with regards to its lifespan.
The reason is because the cold temperature slows down the battery’s chemical reaction time and therefore reduces its performance. After all, that’s what the cold does, it slows things down. So, it is only natural that batteries will reduce in its ability during colder weathers and you probably have noticed this when it takes a while for your car to start up.
By knowing that your battery can expire sooner if the weather is cold, you can better prepare yourself to the fact that your battery might not last as long as intended. In addition, you might be able to figure out ways to keep your battery at a comfortable temperature or warm them down when it gets too cold.
Hot temperatures also negatively affect batteries
Just as the cold can slow down the chemical reactions in your battery, hot temperatures can also negatively affect it. The effect is, however, the opposite. Instead of the battery losing power because of the slowed down effects, the battery is reduced in its ability because the chemical reactions happen too fast. Therefore, the battery is operating too fast and so everything is running out quicker than usual.
So, batteries don’t do too well in extreme weather conditions. If you live in these areas or can’t get away from too cold or too hot climates, then you will need to consider getting a battery that will be able to cope in these harsh environments. Otherwise, you will have to consistently deal with a battery that will need continuous restarting or will lead you to buy a new battery sooner than expected.
The Best Battery for Extreme Weathers
The battery that we want to talk about that has proven itself to be worthy of being the ideal battery for extreme weather conditions is the lithium iron phosphate battery. There are two types of batteries that you can get and they are the lead-acid and lithium batteries.
The lithium batteries are generally the better type as they are longer lasting and have a higher energy capacity than their lead-acid counterpart. Naturally, they are also more expensive. Of course, if you’re going for a good quality battery, then pricing shouldn’t really be too much of a concern, especially if the pros outweigh the cons.
What’s so good about lithium iron phosphate batteries?
These types of batteries can last up to 4 to 5 times as long as lead-acid batteries. That’s a large difference when we’re talking about harsh environments. They are also much lighter of about 60% less in weight. If you’re out there in the freezing cold, you will definitely be grateful to not have to carry a heavier battery, so this is a big bonus in certain areas.
Due to the unique design of the lithium iron phosphate battery, they can handle and perform normally even below freezing temperatures. This means that their capacity will not be reduced and their ability will continue to function as they do in normal temperatures. The design is additionally made so that every bit of power is made the most of so that you don’t miss out on any little bit of precious energy.
Lithium iron phosphate batteries are maintenance-free and can be installed in different angles if necessary without being negatively affected. So, you could even place the battery in an upside-down position if you wanted and everything would still run smoothly. Lastly, they charge much faster and don’t require a full charge before they can be used. This can be very convenient if a sudden snowstorm occurs and you need to act quickly.
Lithium iron phosphate batteries are used in the Arctic circle
These batteries have become so well known to beat the extreme cold that they are the primary batteries used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Arctic circle. The batteries function so well that even with the Arctic often receiving very harsh blizzards and snowstorms, the batteries still hold up surprisingly strong.
Michael Shope, Chief Technology Officer, praised the design of the battery and expressed gratitude on how much it has helped progress the scientific study in the Arctic by continuing to power the functions of the base. Due to the lasting and beneficial effects of the lithium iron phosphate batteries scattered throughout the station, it will be quite a while until they are replaced in the future.
Conclusion
Having the right battery can truly make a huge impact on the performance of the vehicle or the machine. There are plenty of different types and kinds of batteries out there and by missing out on researching about them, you might also be missing out on getting the perfect battery for your needs. So, you should take note of your environment, the conditions of your tools or equipment, and determine what battery will match the power you’ll need to make the most of its value.