Long-term storage comes down to three rules: hold roughly 40–60% charge, keep it cool and dry at about 15–25°C, and top up every three months. Lithium cells self-discharge and age even while unused. Sitting at full charge accelerates capacity loss, and sitting empty risks discharging below the point where a charger will accept it again. Storage is not something you do once — it is a state you maintain.
Before storage: six steps
Step 1: bring the charge to 40–60%
- Step 1: if it is full, put it in the body and shoot for a while, or otherwise bring it down to two or three bars.
- Step 2: if it is nearly empty, charge to about half first.
- Step 3: no need for an exact percentage. Two or three bars on the body, roughly half, is fine.
Step 2: clean the contacts and shell
- Step 1: wipe the contacts with a dry soft cloth to remove fingerprints, sweat and dust.
- Step 2: confirm the contacts are not discolored or deformed and the shell is not bulging.
- Step 3: if there is any moisture, let it dry fully before sealing it away.
Step 3: protect against short circuits
- Step 1: fit the original terminal cover, or use the pack’s own cap or sleeve.
- Step 2: do not stack bare packs where metal contacts can touch each other.
- Step 3: keep them out of bags and pockets shared with keys and coins.
Step 4: choose the right spot
- Step 1: pick a cool, dry place around 15–25°C, out of direct sun.
- Step 2: away from radiators, stoves and windowsills where temperature swings, and never in a summer car.
- Step 3: in humid climates a sachet of desiccant in the storage box helps, without letting the pack touch the chemicals directly.
Step 5: set a top-up reminder
- Step 1: put a recurring three-month reminder in your phone for each pack.
- Step 2: when it fires, check the charge level and bring it back into the 40–60% band if it has dropped.
- Step 3: use a matching charger, and either unplug at full or stop around half.
Step 6: label it
- Step 1: mark the pack with purchase date and the date of the last top-up.
- Step 2: with several packs, number them so rotation and condition tracking stay simple.
Check it again when you take it out
- Step 1: look for bulging or a deformed shell. If it has swollen, stop using it and take it to a recycling or household hazardous waste point. Do not puncture or burn it — see the battery swelling and error code FAQ.
- Step 2: clean the contacts, fit it to the body, and confirm it is recognized.
- Step 3: charge it fully before heading out, and note whether runtime is markedly shorter than before storage.
- Step 4: if the gap is large, run a full cycle so the body can recalibrate. The method is in first charge and calibration.
Without maintenance, a stored pack can self-discharge to a level that causes problems. To judge whether it needs replacing, see NP-FZ100 lifespan and capacity loss.
Storage mistakes we see often
- “Full is safer”: the opposite. Long periods at 100% speed up wear. 40–60% is better.
- “The fridge is ideal”: household fridges are humid and prone to temperature swings, and condensation on the way out is a real risk. Skip it.
- “Empty costs less”: storing empty risks self-discharging below recovery, after which it may never charge again.
- “Set it and forget it”: self-discharge is real. Check at least every three months.
- “Batteries can go in checked luggage”: spares go in carry-on only, with terminals protected. Follow your airline’s rules.
Two notes on the storage environment
On temperature, “cool” matters more than “cold”. Warmer surroundings generally mean faster aging, but that is not a reason to use a fridge — the humidity and condensation risk outweigh the benefit. If you live somewhere humid, a small desiccant sachet in the box plus occasional contact checks is a reasonable routine.
On quantity, keep several stored packs in one numbered case and check them together with the three-month reminder so none gets missed. Planning the numbering and rotation at purchase time makes it easier; for bulk setups, the wholesale inquiry page is the place to start.
FAQ
What charge level is right for storage?
Around 40–60% is the common recommendation. Two or three bars on the body is close enough; there is no need to hit an exact number.
How often should I top it up?
Every three months is a good default. In warmer storage, self-discharge runs faster, so shorten the interval a little.
Is it usable after two years in storage?
It depends on how it was maintained. With regular top-ups most packs still work, though some capacity loss is likely — run a session before making it your main pack again.
Can I leave the battery in the camera?
We suggest not. Bodies draw a small standby current. Remove the pack, store it separately, and protect the terminals.
Good storage buys you an extra year or two. For rotation and spares, start with the YO NP-FZ100 compatible battery (2280mAh / 7.2V / about 16.4Wh, around $17.89); the two-battery kit at around $36.74 lets you run one while storing the other. The higher-capacity TNP-FZ100 at 2400mAh / about 17.3Wh is available too. Studios and rental houses managing stock should use the wholesale inquiry page — one batch makes numbering and scheduled maintenance simpler.