6 replies to this topic

[KernowCooper]

Battery Facts


Factor is that the chemical reaction in the battery that creates electrical energy is less efficient when the temperature dips.  Let’s say it’s eighty degrees Fahrenheit outside. At that temperature, 100% of the battery’s power is available. At freezing, only 65% of battery power is available, but it requires 155% as much power to start the engine as it did at eighty degrees.

 

As you can see from the chart, the colder it gets, more power’s needed, but the available power drops.So its important in winter to have a good battery and one with enough reserve capacity to make up fot the defecit in available power

 

80% of batteries today never reach the 48month mark in service this is due to sulphation

 

Sulfation of Batteries starts when specific gravity falls below 1.225 or voltage measures less than 12.4 (12v Battery) Sulfation hardens the battery plates reducing and eventually destroying the ability of the battery to generate Volts and Amps.

 

Every time the battery is allowed to become drained, you shorten its life and its available power once charged

Attached Files

•  Battery Power Cold Weather.jpg   22.61K   47 downloads

Edited by KernowCooper, 10 February 2014 - 05:17 PM.

[Jordie]

Its worth insulating the battery box if you can. Use something like the pipe lagging found in air conditioning systems. This keep the heat in/out, usually a rubbery based material that doesnt absorb water (so doesnt become a rust trap).

 

My battery is too big to insulate the battery box fully, but i use some rubber stuff similar to above under the battery. This gives it a nice tight fit, reduces any vibrations and makes the battery clamp a nice firm fit.

[Carlos W]

What about one of the many trickle chargers currently on the market? Will they help save the battery?

[Jordie]

mains volt or solar? I have a C-Tek maintenance charger thats mains volts, says you can leave it plugged in and connected all time for cars which are stood long periods.....but I dont have a permanent source of mains where I store my mini.

 

I have fitted a maplin solar charger (£12) to the outside wall and extended the wiring into the building to trickle charge the battery. The battery is pretty new so it was really just to keep the battery topped up as the alarm and radio memory draw on the battery. Seems to have worked OK.

[Shifty]

Is the solar charger any good Jordie?

 

That could be a good idea for my Mpi.

[Jordie]

seems to work ok. it comes with suckers to stick in your windscreen, but my car is locked inside a shipping container so no light. Its worked ok so far, but my radio/alarm doesnt draw that much to be fair, so afew hours of daylight should keep it right. Its just a cheapo maplin thing, but sometimes they are on special so you could get the next model up for a good price if your lucky.

 

It comes with cig ligher plug and battery clips. The clips arent very good, but you could cut the wires and put ring terminals on them and permanently mount to the battery terminals. About 6-8 inches from the clips is a quick release joiner, so you could unplug it there when the car is in use. I dont know if you could leave it attached and use the car, its got a diode to prevent reverse charging, but you'd have to check.

[KernowCooper]

I have a optimate on mine as its garaged and near power with a quick release between the boot floor and the rear panel works and keeps it at 13.7v