Can NICAD Battery freeze??

[rman]

Does anyone know if it is necessary to bring in my Ni Cad (Mostly Ryobi & Sears) batteries indoors for the winter before the freeze?? I have an outdoor shop/shed not heated and don't know if this will kill them or preseve them longer. Most all manufacturers say to store Ni-Cads in a Discharged state for long term storage. (I have had a few indoor unused nicads that after an extended non use will no longer take a charge) Let keep the winter above 32Deg!!

[WayneJ]

The cold has never hurt any of mine. I have a DeWalt and a Makita drill, both over 6 years on the orignal batterys. I just leave them in what ever state of charge they have in them, and my shop is as cold as yours.
Wayne

[LCHIEN]

Does anyone know if it is necessary to bring in my Ni Cad (Mostly Ryobi & Sears) batteries indoors for the winter before the freeze?? I have an outdoor shop/shed not heated and don't know if this will kill them or preseve them longer. Most all manufacturers say to store Ni-Cads in a Discharged state for long term storage. (I have had a few indoor unused nicads that after an extended non use will no longer take a charge) Let keep the winter above 32Deg!!

Yes, i think they can freeze. I recall reading that they should be stored with a full charge, but of course, the charge will be mostly bled off after a couple of weeks to months anyway, so I'm not real sure its that important.

P.S. and yes, Mildoc is right, the freezing point of a Nicad battery is not that of water, it's considerably colder than 32 F.

[MilDoc]

I believe you have to go below -20 deg F before they will "freeze." But if they are cold, be sure to warm up any battery before use, and watch for condensation between the terminals.