As with everything of a depreciating nature, batteries need to be taken care of when not in use. While you don't have to worry about that with non-replaceable batteries, you sure do need to pay attention to how you store replaceable batteries. Being in the correct space and at the right temperature can definitely help slow down the deteriorating process of the chemicals inside the battery.
Batteries with the same chemical composition should always be stored together and not mixed with older batteries. For this, and especially with larger batteries, you should consider getting a special type of storage space.
Benefits of Battery Boxes
Protection
Especially when buying used, batteries should be protected from external factors such as the elements or unwanted impacts. With battery boxes, you can do so with peace of mind.
A heavy-duty weather proof battery box will protect your battery from even the harshest of weather conditions.
Longevity
With proper protection, you ensure that your battery stays operational for longer. This way you increase its lifespan and get more out of it making it a more cost-effective purchase. No one wants to get a new battery every couple of years as they're not something you want to spend money on on a regular basis. A set-it-and-forget-it approach is what you'll have if you put your battery in a battery box.
Safety
Another big advantage of a weather proof battery box is that it makes it a lot safer to store your battery outside. You'd much rather have a damaged battery box than a damaged battery as not only is the latter more expensive to fix, but it's also a lot more dangerous. A dented battery box is not going to cause issues as long as you don't mind its crooked appeal.
What Matters in a Heavy-Duty Battery Box
Materials
There are two types of materials heavy-duty battery boxes come made of and those are aluminium and steel. Steel battery boxes are the best at impact resistance and have better thermal properties than those made of aluminium. Aluminium boxes, on the other hand, are much lighter and have better corrosion resistance.
The latter are also more sustainable while the former require less maintenance. The durability of both steel and aluminium boxes also depends on the type of finish they come with. Galvanised battery boxes are the best in this case since they offer the have the best protection from rust. Steel boxes are the ones that get galvanised but you can also find made from aluminium that is also galvanised, it's just more difficult
Safety Features
There are different types of safety features a battery box can have despite just being a place to store your bulky cell. One of them are locking mechanisms which can allow only a select number of people to access the battery. You should also look out for electrical grounding since it means the battery is safe from an electric shock. High-grade materials also play a part in how safe a battery box is. Other factors to consider here would also be the certification and compliance of the box. Make sure that no matter the battery box you go for it's ETL, UL, CE, and RoHS listed.
Indoor vs Outdoor
Obviously, a weather proof battery box is made to be used outdoors but that doesn't mean you can't use it indoors. One thing you should keep in mind though that your battery box needs to have a NEMA 3R rating in order to be used outdoors. If you're only going to use a battery box inside you can go for one with a NEMA 1 rating. These ratings tell you how rugged and insulated a battery box is and as you'd expect the higher the number the better the level of protection they have.
Venting System
Batteries get hot especially when pushed to the limit, which is why vents are an important part of a battery box. The ventilation system of a battery box can be found on the bottom half or at the top. This usually comes in the form of louvres with ones placed on the side being better at preventing rain from entering the box than ones placed on top. Louvres found on the top of a battery box are better at keeping your battery cool since heat escapes more easily that way.
Conclusion
Being able to power our most important conveniences like running water the AC requires the use of a battery in remote areas. But no matter what you use your heavy-duty battery for, it's important to keep it operational for as long as possible with a battery box. Battery boxes come in all shapes and forms and as long as you go for the most fitting one for your battery you'll use it for years to come.