OnTheRoadAgain
Solar Enthusiast
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2021
- Messages
- 643
Generally speaking, it is said that Lead Acid batteries last longer stored and used at around 77F ambient temperature.
And that for every 15 degrees F above that, battery life is reduced by 50%
So at 92F ambient, your Lead Acid batter will have it's life cut in half.
South Florida, South Texas and other places have daily temperatures at or above this regularly in spring summer and fall months.
Since all my Lead Acid batteries are kept in an air conditioned garage, I don't really have any experience with how they do over time if kept out in the heat.
I do have a 12v 80Ah Lead Acid battery that I keep in my car so it won't be too long until I can measure the effects of the heat on that battery because it's often well over 100F in there if not 130F. That 3.5 times above 77F. So if I take the 5 year estimated life and divide by 2 I get 2.5 years. Divide that by 2 and I get 1.25 years. Divide that by 2 and I get .625 years and divide that by 1.5 and I get 0.42 years or 5 months.
(did I do the math wrong?)
The issue is that my battery in the vehicle does not seem to follow that general rule and seems to degrade much more slowly. Like maybe 5% - 10% and not 50%
Capacity tests aren't revealing a huge drop in capacity after being in the vehicle for months at temperatures above 92F often.
So I was wondering if anyone who lives in those very hot places has kept their lead acid batteries out in the heat what their experience has been with longevity?
And that for every 15 degrees F above that, battery life is reduced by 50%
So at 92F ambient, your Lead Acid batter will have it's life cut in half.
South Florida, South Texas and other places have daily temperatures at or above this regularly in spring summer and fall months.
Since all my Lead Acid batteries are kept in an air conditioned garage, I don't really have any experience with how they do over time if kept out in the heat.
I do have a 12v 80Ah Lead Acid battery that I keep in my car so it won't be too long until I can measure the effects of the heat on that battery because it's often well over 100F in there if not 130F. That 3.5 times above 77F. So if I take the 5 year estimated life and divide by 2 I get 2.5 years. Divide that by 2 and I get 1.25 years. Divide that by 2 and I get .625 years and divide that by 1.5 and I get 0.42 years or 5 months.
(did I do the math wrong?)
The issue is that my battery in the vehicle does not seem to follow that general rule and seems to degrade much more slowly. Like maybe 5% - 10% and not 50%
Capacity tests aren't revealing a huge drop in capacity after being in the vehicle for months at temperatures above 92F often.
So I was wondering if anyone who lives in those very hot places has kept their lead acid batteries out in the heat what their experience has been with longevity?