Winter-Proofing Your Fleet: Essential Battery Care Tips for Cold Weather
Posted by Battery Accessories on
Cold weather is brutal on lead-acid batteries. As temperatures drop, chemical reactions inside the battery slow down, reducing capacity and increasing the risk of failure. For fleet managers, this means downtime, costly delays, and frustrated operators.
In this article, we’ll share five essential winter battery maintenance tips to keep your fleet running strong all season long.
Winter is one of the toughest seasons for industrial batteries. A forklift that runs smoothly in September may struggle to hold a charge in December.
Cold weather can:
- Reduce battery capacity by up to 30%.
- Increase the risk of cracked casings and frozen electrolyte.
- Accelerate cable corrosion and plastic brittleness.
The result? Higher chances of breakdowns, unexpected costs, and safety risks during your busiest months.
Keep Batteries Warm
Store batteries in heated areas or use insulated covers to prevent freezing. Even a few degrees of warmth can make a big difference in performance.
Charge Fully, Charge Often
Cold batteries require longer charge cycles. Avoid partial charges, which accelerate sulfation and reduce capacity. A fully charged battery is also less likely to freeze.
Check Water Levels Weekly
While evaporation slows in winter, the risk of freezing increases if electrolyte levels drop too low. Always top up with deionised water after charging.
Inspect Cables and Connectors
Cold weather makes plastics brittle and accelerates corrosion. Regularly check for cracks, frayed cables, or loose connections that could cause voltage drops or safety hazards.
Use Smart Monitoring
Systems like eGO! provide real-time insights into battery health, alerting you to underperforming units before they fail. This proactive approach saves time and prevents costly surprises.
By taking a proactive approach to winter battery care, you can:
- Extend battery lifespan.
- Reduce downtime during peak operations.
- Improve safety for operators and technicians.
- Lower long-term replacement costs.
Explore our maintenance collection for battery monitoring systems and other tools designed to keep your fleet running smoothly in cold conditions.