Storing Lithium batteries in the fridge?

[bohonk445]

Does anyone know if it is OK to store Lithium batteries in the fridge like with alkalines? I just purchased a large supply and wanted to maximize their lifespan.

[Steelsun]

Lithiums will actually drain FASTER in cold temperatures.

[h00kemh0rns]

Originally Posted by Steelsun

Lithiums will actually drain FASTER in cold temperatures.

Hmmm...I didn't think that was right so I googled it:

http://www.batteryuniversity.com/partone-5.htm

Storage in a cool place slows the aging process of lithium-ion (and other chemistries). Manufacturers recommend storage temperatures of 15°C (59°F). In addition, the battery should be partially charged during storage.

Also, another fact:

http://www.smeter.net/daily-facts/5/fact12.php

Storing Lithium-Ion Batteries
Many people falsely assume that lithium-ion batteries should be stored fully-charged. Even without that assumption, someone who buys a spare lithium-ion battery for a laptop computer or handheld radio generally will keep the spare battery charged and ready for use. That is reasonable where two batteries will be swapped soon. However, lithium-ion battery storage capacity degrades significantly faster if a battery is stored fully-charged, rather than at a lower charge level. If lithium-ion batteries didn't self-discharge it would be better to store them almost fully discharged. However, they contain electronic circuitry that will fail and make a battery totally unusable if it ever becomes fully discharged, so the recommended charge prior to storage is 40-percent. A lithium-ion battery that is stored with a 40-percent charge will have 96-percent of its original storage capacity one year later. If will have only 80-percent of its original storage capacity after one year if it is stored fully-charged. ©2005 Tigertek, Inc. All rights reserved.

[Steelsun]

Hmmm, I was reading a story in a photog mag a few months back about someone in Northern ALaska who had a hard time maintaining the charge in his Lithioms while on a shoot. Seems it went through the batteries at 3-4x the normal rate.

Wonder if storage is okay, but usage causes faster drain?

[h00kemh0rns]

It might be the old saying of too much of anything is never good. So in extreme heat or cold the battery may drain quicker. Just a thought...

[steve]

It is not that LI batteries discharge in cold weather they just do not perform very well.
So there is just less charge available from a LI battery when it is cold.