Generator & Energy Storage Basics

Winter's icy grip can put a chill on many things, including your outdoor power equipment. But fear not, Briggs & Stratton has you covered with innovative battery technology designed to brave the cold. Today, we're diving into cold weather battery maintenance, highlighting the impressive resilience of our SimpliPHI^Ⓡ 6.6 Battery, and exploring how PHI^TM and AmpliPHI^TM Battery owners can optimize performance in frigid temperatures.

Why Batteries and Cold Weather Don't Always Mix

Like us, batteries prefer a comfortable temperature range. When the mercury plummets, battery performance can take a hit. Here's why:

• Reduced Chemical Reactions: Cold temperatures slow down the chemical reactions inside a battery, limiting its ability to deliver power.

• Increased Internal Resistance: This slowdown creates higher internal resistance, further hindering power output.

• Dedritic Growth: When charged at below freezing temperatures, needle-like structures can grow within the cell, which can lead to short circuits and reduced battery performance.

• Temporary Capacity Loss: You might notice your battery drains faster in the cold. Don't worry, this is often temporary, and capacity usually returns as the battery warms up.

SimpliPHI 6.6: The Cold Weather Warrior

Enter the SimpliPHI 6.6 battery – your reliable power source even when Jack Frost comes knocking. This powerhouse is engineered with Lithium Ferro Phosphate (LFP) chemistry, renowned for its exceptional cold-weather performance.

Here's why SimpliPHI 6.6 laughs in the face of winter:

• No Battery Warmer Required: Unlike some batteries that need pampering with warmers, the SimpliPHI 6.6 is designed to operate in temperatures as low as -4°F (-20°C) without a hitch, and can charge at 14°F (-10°C) at full charge rate.

• Durable and Long-Lasting: LFP chemistry performs significantly better in cold weather by providing inherent thermal stability, making the SimpliPHI 6.6 safer and experiencing less performance degradation  in extreme conditions.

Tips for PHI and AmpliPHI Battery Owners

While our PHI and AmpliPHI Batteries offer excellent performance, a little care in extreme cold can go a long way:

• Store Indoors: Whenever possible, store your batteries indoors or in a temperature-controlled environment, especially during prolonged periods of freezing temperatures.

• Warm Up Before Use: If your battery has been exposed to extreme cold, allow it to warm up to room temperature before use for optimal performance. AmpliPHI batteries, when connected to an inverter with comms, can automatically curtail the charge rate of the battery, allowing the process of charging to gradually warm the battery until it reaches optimal temperature.

• Consider a Battery Warmer: For those in extremely cold climates, a battery warmer can provide an extra performance boost for PHI and AmpliPHI Batteries.Briggs & Stratton can provide PHI and AmpliPHI with internal thermisters and temperature controlled heating pads

• Insulate Your Battery Enclosure: Insulating the cabinet that your batteries are in will help with ambient thermal cycling and retain heat from battery charging

• Heat Capture from Inverters & Loads: Make use of the excess heat your other components create, and put your batteries in an enclosure with those devices.

Briggs & Stratton: Powering Through Winter

With Briggs & Stratton's advanced battery technology, you can confidently tackle winter's challenges. Whether you choose the cold-defying SimpliPHI 6.6 Battery or optimize your PHI and AmpliPHI batteries for the season, we're here to keep you powered up all year round.

Have more questions about battery care or our products? Check out our maintenance tips and articles in the Articles section.