[tonyp22]

Right now I’m trying to figure out just what I can put in my garage, and some of the things I’m wondering about are my power tools that are powered by LiIon batteries. Will I kill the batteries if I keep this gear in the garage?

[k350]

Why not just cool down the garage?

Edit - I usually keep my batteries in the non-climate controlled area of my patio, no issues from it.

[LKJ1988]

I keep my batts in the house like a silly mouse.

[tonyp22]

Originally Posted by k350

Why not just cool down the garage?

Edit - I usually keep my batteries in the non-climate controlled area of my patio, no issues from it.

I was actually looking at installing a ductless mini-split AC, but other home expenses have priority at the moment. Thanks.

[Roger Lessman]

I have stored such batteries in the garage with no noticeable ill effects (e.g. battery explosions). The heat and humidity might not be optimal for battery life though. I'm going the mini-split AC route myself once I've worked through the rest of my home improvement queue.

[WrongStreet]

I've kept them in my garage and never had issues. If you're worried about it just store them in a closet inside the house.

[firemediceric]

I had one house fire where the house was a total loss due to batteries left charging in the garage. While charging they caught fire and burnt the house down.


In another instance I was called to a "smell of electrical smoke, melting plastic" in a garage. Using a thermal imaging camera in the cluttered garage we noted a battery extremely overheated. It was hot enough to be melting the plastic battery case. Had more time gone by without the homeowner noticing the smell of the melting plastic, who knows how bad the damage may have been.


In my case, I have a decent size metal tool box which I have lined with ceramic tile which I keep the battery chargers in. I charge the batteries in that and I keep the charged batteries in a different tool box set up the same way. Perhaps that is unnecessary safety overkill on my part, but I sleep better at night and I don't worry as much when I'm away from the house.

[southernnaturelover]

You will get the longest life from them if you keep them closer to room temp, they do not like being hot. Also, don't store them depleted or fully charged, the closer to 50% the better.

Fully charged and hot is the worst combination. Only charge to 100% if you know you'll be using them that day.

[Huasho]

I even keep EXPENSIVE paint cans in the house, in the garage in Florida they're garbage in NO time...$45 and $50 1 gallon cans of paint from Sherwin-Williams go to waste in just one Season out there.

Leave your Mother in Law there and you will learn fast, you're goinn to the slammer.

[jean_ji]

We’ve switched to almost all battery yard tools eight years ago and have had no issues with batteries kept in the garage. What we did have problems with were gas engines. RV gas (no ethanol) has to be used in the hotter temps here or clogged carburetors and expensive repairs happen.