Does frost damage a Leica battery?

Working at low temperatures temporarily reduces the available capacity, but does not damage a healthy battery. Charging below freezing and long storage in a discharged state are harmful.

How should I store batteries in the off-season?

Charged to about 40–60%, in a dry place at room temperature, with the charge level checked every 3 months.

Does a regenerated battery cope better with low temperatures?

New high-current cells have lower internal resistance than worn ones, so they hold their voltage better under load, including in winter. The physical limitations of Li-ion cells in frost cannot be eliminated entirely, however.

Leica battery in low temperatures: winter season recommendations

Axis Baterie · Updated: 2026-10-16

Below freezing, lithium-ion cells deliver less energy, and worn cells lose voltage especially fast. That is why a battery that lasts a whole day in summer may work for only a few hours in winter. Proper storage, charging at room temperature and healthy cells keep the runtime predictable throughout the season.

Why the battery runs shorter in winter

At low temperatures the chemical reactions in the cells slow down and the internal resistance rises. The battery can deliver less energy, and during a short rise in current draw the voltage drops deeper than at room temperature. In new cells the effect is temporary and disappears once they warm up. In worn cells it adds to the loss of capacity, which leads to a clearly shorter runtime and shutdowns during measurement.

This is especially noticeable in high-draw devices such as the CS20 controller, the GS18 receiver or LS10/LS15 digital levels powered by a GEB334 battery.

Recommendations for field work

Keep spare batteries in an inside jacket pocket or in a heated car, not in a case outdoors.
Put a battery at close to room temperature into the total station.
Plan battery changes with a margin and do not wait for a low charge level.
Limit unnecessary power draw: screen backlight, connectivity you are not using, long standby.

Charging in winter

Lithium-ion batteries should not be charged below freezing. After returning from the field, wait until the battery reaches room temperature, and only then put it in the GKL charger. The charger may block charging of a battery that is too cold, which is sometimes mistaken for a fault.

Off-season storage

Store batteries charged to about 40–60%, in a dry place at room temperature.
Every 3 months, check the charge level and top up the battery if needed.
Do not leave the battery in the instrument during storage.

A battery left discharged for several months may be locked by the BMS. We describe this in the article on the red LED on the GKL charger.

When to consider regeneration

If after warming up and a full charge the battery still runs clearly shorter than it used to, the cells are worn. It is worth planning the regeneration of a spare battery outside the busy season, so that you have a healthy set for the period of heaviest use. The regeneration itself with testing usually takes 3–5 working days, plus shipping time.

Good to know

Axis Baterie is an independent service, not affiliated with Leica Geosystems AG or Hexagon AB. Leica, GEB, FlexLine, Viva and Captivate are trademarks of their respective owners.

Order regeneration before the season

FAQ

Does frost damage a Leica battery?: Working at low temperatures temporarily reduces the available capacity, but does not damage a healthy battery. Charging below freezing and long storage in a discharged state are harmful.
How should I store batteries in the off-season?: Charged to about 40–60%, in a dry place at room temperature, with the charge level checked every 3 months.
Does a regenerated battery cope better with low temperatures?: New high-current cells have lower internal resistance than worn ones, so they hold their voltage better under load, including in winter. The physical limitations of Li-ion cells in frost cannot be eliminated entirely, however.