The operating temperature of a battery should preferably be maintained in the nominal band of 60-80F. Whenever the battery is charged, the current flowing through the battery will cause heat to be generated by the electrolysis of water. The current flowing through the battery (1) will also cause heat to be generated (P) during charge and discharge as it passes through the internal resistance (R;), as illustrated using the formula for power in Equation (4-4).

P = 1²R; (4-4)

Higher temperatures will give some additional capacity, but they will eventually reduce the life of the battery. Very high temperatures, 125F and higher, can actually do damage to the battery and cause early failure.

Low temperatures will lower battery capacity but also prolong battery life under floating (i.e., slightly charging) operation or storage. Extremely low temperatures can freeze the electrolyte, but only if the battery is low in specific gravity.

Summary

Battery hazards are summarized below.

Battery Hazards Summary

Short circuits cause a great reduction in battery capacity.

To prevent short circuits in a battery, overcharging and overdischarging should be avoided at all costs.

The adverse effect of gassing is that if gassing occurs and the gases are allowed to collect, an explosive mixture of hydrogen and oxygen can be readily produced.

To reduce the amount of gassing, charging voltages above 2.30 volts per cell should be minimized.

Whenever the battery is charged, the current flowing through the battery will cause heat to be generated by the electrolysis of water and by 12 R; power generation.

Higher temperatures will give some additional capacity, but they will eventually reduce the life of the battery. Very high temperatures, 125F and higher, can actually do damage to the battery and cause early failure.