Vacuum Packed Batteries

Triquetra

Triquetra

Joined
Mar 7, 2002
Messages
759
Probably kind of a stupid question, but I was wondering if there is any reason NOT to vacuum pack batteries. I thought that it would be a great way to protect them and it would make them easy to pack and organize. You could probably pack them in pairs since it seems most things take an even number and just open what you need to protect the others. Any cons that anyone knows of?
 
I vacuum packed a loaded AA maglight once for 2 years. I unpacked it and the batteries leaked and swelled in the light making it useless. I had to turf the light.

Maybe this is a rare case but I wouldnt seal them with lots of vacuum in the future.

Skam
 
It wouldn't cost much to try a pair of batteries. You could then expose them to every conceivable condition they may encounter and have your own results. I wouldn't pack them in a light though any moisture from condensation can't get out again.
 
I doubt it would be worthwhile. The alkalines already come two or four to a sealed package with a shelf life of 7 years. A vacuum may only serve to cause them leak sooner. :) Regards, ss.
 
The greatest killer of batteries is heat and cold.

Consider: for every 18 degree (F) rise in temperature, you lose 50% of the batteries' charge. A slow cool down can bring some of them back a bit, but if you routinely park a car (for example) in hot, hot weather, the flashlight you keep in your glove compartment may be useless when you need it.

Similarly, there's no proven benefit to storing them in cold, either: it's just as likely you can suffer charge loss by keeping them too cold. Room temp is best for batteries.

But vacuums...that's a new one. I don't see that it will do much good, as noted above.
 
I was just thinking that it would be a good way to waterproof them while maintaing less bulk for storage. I don't think that the packages that they come in are waterproof are they?
 
I prepack battery sets in plastic wrap and it seems reasonably moisture resistant. I roll pairs of 123A or even D-cell batteries into squares of plastic wrap. This makes it easier to keep just a spare charge around rather than a bag of batteries. They stay together and don't short out against anything else.

Another suggestion, for seldom used flashlights, I often put a circle of heavy card stock between the batteries so they aren't inadvertently discharged. It just takes a moment to remove.
 
You don't need the batteries' bag to be waterproof if the overall bag is waterproof. I keep mine in a dry sack along with other various tools and gadgets, and have never had a problem.

Also, buy some Energizer Lithiums off ebay in bulk. They last longer (10-15 years), are much lighter, and have more juice in them. I pretty much use them exclusively in the woods, unless I have some rechargeable lithiums in one of my flashlights.
 
so that i will always have spare batteries handy, i wrap them in pairs (all of my flashlights take pairs) with some masking tape. i just toss one of these handy little packages into my bag whenever i am taking my flashlight with me and i am set.
 
iamsmiling said:
Another suggestion, for seldom used flashlights, I often put a circle of heavy card stock between the batteries so they aren't inadvertently discharged. It just takes a moment to remove.
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I'll have to try this idea. Recently, I bought several so called heavy duty flashlights. The problem is when I put them in my packs the button design allows it to be pushed to on. So, when I go to use them...no light. This should prevent this.
 
Vacuum packing batteries will not enhance their shelf life. The chemical reaction in a battery still takes place in a vacuum. Batteries are a sealed electrochemical reaction. The degradation process will still take place. I agree with Watchful in that temperature is the greatest enemy of a battery. Heat being more of a danger than cold. Store them in a cool dry place and that will maintain their shelf live.
 
zman308 said:
Vacuum packing batteries will not enhance their shelf life. The chemical reaction in a battery still takes place in a vacuum. Batteries are a sealed electrochemical reaction. The degradation process will still take place. I agree with Watchful in that temperature is the greatest enemy of a battery. Heat being more of a danger than cold. Store them in a cool dry place and that will maintain their shelf live.
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I wasn't trying to increase the shelf per say, just more to keep them protected from the elements that might degrade them.
 
DeadeyeLefty said:
I thought batteries vented only while recharging ? (I'm asking, not arguing)
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I believe (not an expert) that they also vent when discharging. Of course rechargable batteries especially are always discharging. If they are in use or not.

KR
 
Lead acid batteries vent hydrogen gas when charging; others can theoretically do so as well at any time, but usually not in measurable amounts. It ultimately depends on the chemical process by which a particular battery is charged.

Generally, a non-lead acid battery will not leak enough for you to be worried about; however, if building a battery storage area in a factory or plant, the fire marshal may expect that area to be actively vented and air exchanged regardless of what type of batteries you store.
 
Watchful said:
Lead acid batteries vent hydrogen gas when charging; others can theoretically do so as well at any time, but usually not in measurable amounts. It ultimately depends on the chemical process by which a particular battery is charged.

Generally, a non-lead acid battery will not leak enough for you to be worried about; however, if building a battery storage area in a factory or plant, the fire marshal may expect that area to be actively vented and air exchanged regardless of what type of batteries you store.
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NiCD, NiMH and Lion batteries all have vents in them to relieve pressure when they are charging. I also believe that they vent when discharging. All of these batteries use chemical processes that vent gas when charging and discharging as far as I know. Many of these cycles also generate quite a bit of heat.

KR
 
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