If you are getting ready to move and are planning on renting a storage shed to store some of your things, you should spend a little extra time making sure you remove the batteries from all the things you own before you pack them in your moving boxes. Batteries stored in a unit that does not offer temperature-control can cause damage to the things you own if they are left inside devices, and they can lose their ability to power the things you own. Here are several things to keep in mind as you prepare to store items in a storage unit that operate on batteries.  

Issues Caused By Alkaline Batteries

Alkaline batteries contain a variety of different materials, and these materials can leak out of batteries if left inside devices too long. The stuff that typically leaks out is called potassium carbonate, and this is usually white and fluffy. If this leaks, it will get trapped inside the battery compartments, and this could prevent your electronics from functioning properly when you unpack them at some point.

Batteries can leak for a variety of reasons, but they tend to leak more when they are exposed to really cold temperatures. This happens simply from pressure of the cold air and the chemistry of how batteries are made, and there is not a lot you can do to stop this process from occurring.

Batteries that are stored in their original boxes or outside of electronics may also leak, but the process may take longer. When batteries are left inside electronics, the batteries detect a small current. This current takes the power from the batteries, and this is the reason batteries wear out faster when they are in devices compared to when they are not placed in devices. This small current not only causes the battery to die, but it also speeds up the process of leakage from the battery.

As you prepare to store your goods in a unit, grab a couple of screwdrivers and begin removing the batteries from the items as you pack. If you accidentally leave batteries in your things and later on discover corrosion and leakage in the battery compartments, you can clean the compartments with a mixture of vinegar and water. You may also need a toothbrush and a nail file to scrub the area enough to remove all the corrosion you find.

Issues With Lithium Batteries

Lithium batteries are different from alkaline batteries, and these are the type you will often find in laptop computers and cellphones. Lithium batteries typically do not leak like other types of batteries, but storing these batteries in a cold or hot storage unit may damage the batteries in other ways. The main effect extreme weather can have on lithium batteries is drainage. The batteries will not leak, but the battery life will drain from these items. If you have items like this, take the batteries out and keep them with you in your home.

It's also important to realize that if your storage unit gets really hot, there will be a lot of moisture in the unit. This moisture can find its way into your boxes and belongings, and moisture can also lead to damage in lithium batteries. Moisture can also cause damage to the electrical circuits and wiring in electronics.

It is a lot easier to prevent leakage from batteries than to clean up the mess the leakage can cause. If you would like to learn more about proper storage tips for your belongings, talk to a facility that rents storage units, such as Northgate Mini Storage, or a moving company in your area today.