Improper Storage

Improper or lack of maintenance mainly comes down to how a battery is handled when it's not in use. Lithium batteries are meant to be used—letting them sit for long periods without cycling can actually shorten their lifespan. If you plan to store a battery for any length of time, it's important to cycle it at least once a month to prevent issues from prolonged inactivity.

When not in use, batteries should be kept in a proper storage state—ideally around 60–70% of their full charge, or roughly 3.75–3.95 volts per cell. Most modern smart chargers include a storage mode that will automatically bring the battery to this safe state of charge (SOC).

Leaving a battery fully charged for extended periods can lead to increased internal resistance, reducing both runtime and performance. When this happens, you'll typically see elevated IR (internal resistance) readings across all cells, which is a clear sign the pack is aging prematurely.

Storing a battery in a nearly depleted state can be just as damaging as leaving it fully charged. If a pack is allowed to self-discharge below its minimum rated voltage, permanent damage can occur. Once a battery drops too low, it’s never quite the same—capacity is reduced, discharge performance suffers, and overall reliability declines.