diff --git a/collect.py b/collect.py
index 594ae6b..6f5bbe6 100644
--- a/collect.py
+++ b/collect.py
@@ -58,7 +58,8 @@ from pathlib import Path
 import log_config
 import network
 import we_connect
-from data_model import ALL_DOMAINS, auto_out_path, collect_snapshot, load_store, save_store
+from data_model import ALL_DOMAINS, collect_snapshot
+from storage_helpers import auto_out_path, load_store, save_store
 
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
diff --git a/data_model.py b/data_model.py
index 98b9124..7094d07 100644
--- a/data_model.py
+++ b/data_model.py
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
-import json
 import logging
 from datetime import datetime, timezone
-from pathlib import Path
 
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -245,34 +243,3 @@ def collect_snapshot(vehicle, domains: list[str]) -> dict:
         if data is not None:
             snapshot[domain] = data
     return snapshot
-
-
-# ── store helpers ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-
-def auto_out_path(logs_dir: Path, vin: str) -> Path:
-    stamp = datetime.now(timezone.utc).strftime("%Y_%m_%d_%H_%M_%S")
-    return logs_dir / f"{stamp}_{vin}.json"
-
-
-def load_store(path: Path, vin: str, interval: int) -> dict:
-    if path.exists():
-        try:
-            data = json.loads(path.read_text())
-            if isinstance(data, dict) and "records" in data:
-                return data
-        except json.JSONDecodeError:
-            log.warning("Output file is corrupt — starting fresh")
-    return {
-        "meta": {
-            "vin": vin,
-            "created_at": datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat(),
-            "interval_seconds": interval,
-        },
-        "records": [],
-    }
-
-
-def save_store(path: Path, store: dict, max_records: int | None) -> None:
-    if max_records and len(store["records"]) > max_records:
-        store["records"] = store["records"][-max_records:]
-    path.write_text(json.dumps(store, indent=2, default=str))
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/storage_helpers.py b/storage_helpers.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9445e3f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/storage_helpers.py
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+import json
+import logging
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
+from pathlib import Path
+
+log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+def auto_out_path(logs_dir: Path, vin: str) -> Path:
+    stamp = datetime.now(timezone.utc).strftime("%Y_%m_%d_%H_%M_%S")
+    return logs_dir / f"{stamp}_{vin}.json"
+
+
+def load_store(path: Path, vin: str, interval: int) -> dict:
+    if path.exists():
+        try:
+            data = json.loads(path.read_text())
+            if isinstance(data, dict) and "records" in data:
+                return data
+        except json.JSONDecodeError:
+            log.warning("Output file is corrupt — starting fresh")
+    return {
+        "meta": {
+            "vin": vin,
+            "created_at": datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat(),
+            "interval_seconds": interval,
+        },
+        "records": [],
+    }
+
+
+def save_store(path: Path, store: dict, max_records: int | None) -> None:
+    if max_records and len(store["records"]) > max_records:
+        store["records"] = store["records"][-max_records:]
+    path.write_text(json.dumps(store, indent=2, default=str))
\ No newline at end of file