Batteries.

TM 38-400/NAVSUP PUB 572/AFMAN 23-210 MCO 4450.14/DLAM 4145.12

Primary batteries will be stored in the coolest practicable

5-20. Batteries.

dry, ventilated storage space.

Storage space

This paragraph deals with primary batteries (mercury,

temperature within the range 30 . to 35 . is

silver-oxide, alkaline manganese-dioxide, carbon-zinc

recommended. This temperature range is preferable,

(flashlight), lithium, and other dry or reserve batteries)

provided such cold storage facilities are available

and secondary batteries (lead-acid, nickel-iron alkaline,

without appreciable cost; however, the usual refrigerated

nickel-cadmium, and silver-zinc). Primary batteries

storage space available in the supply system at this time

cannot be recharged efficiently (a flashlight battery) and

provides temperature between 35 . and 50 . This

are of two types, dry and reserve. A dry battery is

is satisfactory for normally moving stocks. For long-

commonly referred to as a dry cell battery and a reserve

term storage, however, dry batteries will be stored in

battery is one that must be activated by the addition of a

areas having temperatures as close as possible to -30

fluid, usually water. A secondary battery is one that can

. but not lower than this and, if possible, will never be

be recharged repeatedly (e.g., an automobile battery)

stored where temperatures exceed 50 .

and activated by the addition of electrolyte. Buildings

with metal roofs must not be used for storage of

Nonrefrigerated storage areas for dry batteries must

batteries, since these types absorb and conduct heat to

have as constant a temperature as possible, since wide

a high degree. Likewise, batteries will not be stored in

temperature variations are as damaging as high

direct sunlight. Batteries can be stored on pallets, in

temperatures. To prevent short circuiting in the voltage

bins or racks, depending on the quantity and type to be

socket terminals as a result of "seating," dry batteries,

stored. "This Side Up" batteries will remain in their

when removed from refrigerated storage, will not be

original containers until ready for issue or use.

removed from the polyethylene bags in which they are

Batteries removed from original containers must

packaged until they have warmed up to an ambient

never come in contact with steel, steel shelving, or other

temperature.

Exceptions to refrigerated storage

metal objects which can cause short circuits or

requirements will be as directed by the individual DOD

discharging. Lithium primary batteries should be stored

Component.

in individual containers or short circuiting may occur due

(2) Ventilation. Some dry batteries generate

to terminal contact. Small cell batteries must be stored

small quantities of gas, particularly during the first few

in a cool, well ventilated area. It is the responsibility of

months after manufacture. To avoid the possibility of an

the storage supervisor to ensure that batteries are

accumulation of gas, adequate ventilation in the storage

segregated by type, properly tagged, and stored in such

area will be provided.

a manner that the oldest stock is issued first. The

(3) Testing.

Maintenance during storage

expiration date will be annotated on the document when

consists largely of testing stored dry batteries at periodic

the issue is made. At the time the exterior container is

intervals in order to maintain depot stocks at a high level

opened, each intermediate or unit pack will be

of reliability. Periodic tests are not made on reserve

appropriately marked with the expiration date.

batteries because they are stored in a dry, inert

a. Primary batteries.

The deterioration of all

condition, with a desiccant, in airtight cans or metallic

primary batteries during storage, standby, or when in

bags. The test of a battery consists of taking a voltage

service is caused by chemical action within the cells or

reading across a specific load resistance for each

from the loss of moisture through the sealing material.

battery.

Proper storage conditions reduce this chemical activity

(4) Lithium Batteries. Lithium batteries refer

to a minimum, resulting in extended battery life. It is

to the entire family of batteries or cells that consist of

recommended that batteries of the reserve type be

lithium metal and some other chemical (i.e., sulfur

shipped and stored in a completely dry state, as they do

dioxide, methyl cyanide, lithium bromide, etc.) that are

not deteriorate if kept completely dry.

used as a source of energy. The proper storage of

(1) Storage temperatures. Primary batteries

lithium batteries depend primarily on the size of the

are perishable commodities and, when possible, will be

battery and not just the fact that it is a lithium battery.

stored in refrigerated space or in warehouses having

The size affects two aspects of storage. The first is

constant or controlled temperature, as temperature is

whether the area should be sprinkler protected. The

the most important factor to be considered in the

second is how many batteries should be stored in one

storage of primary batteries. The chemical activity

stack.

which causes battery deterioration is lessened

(a) Sprinkler protection. There is a

considerably as the storage temperature is lowered.

violent reaction when burning lithium metal comes into

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