Optimas and electric battery blankets?

[CCOLLAR]

Folks,



I am preparing for my first Alaskan (Fairbanks) winter, and am wondering how well my Optima Red Tops will perform in very cold weather. Does anybody have any thoughts on this? I am thinking about wrapping the batteries in electric battery blankets? Is this necessary, or only a convenience?



Thanks.



Craig

 

[15w40]

There are several factors, which affect the operation of the battery concerning its ability to deliver capacity and life expectancy. Many chemical reactions are affected by temperature, and this is true of the reaction that occurs in batteries. The chemical reaction of a lead-acid battery slows down by the lowering of temperature, which results in a loss of capacity. A battery will deliver 100% of capacity at 77ºF. At 50ºF the battery will deliver 85% of capacity. At 0ºF it will deliver only 55% of capacity.



In our Rams the two stock batteries combined will supply 1500 cold cranking amps at 0ºF when they are new. This is plenty to power the two 50-amp grid heaters and 400-amp starter for a total of 500 amps. The problem is the 1500 amps are only available in fully charged new batteries. As the battery ages it loses capacity and short trips may not fully charge the batteries.



You are using Optima red top batteries should not be a problem if they are new. A battery heater might be a good option for older batteries.

 

[TGaines]

what part of fairbanks

There are several guys that are on this list that live in

Fairbanks. When did you arrive? Are you in the military? I live on Eielson with my wife.



Travis

 

[CCOLLAR]

I've been in Fairbanks since May, working at the University.



Perhaps we should arrange a "Far North TDR" meet-and-greet? I'd like to get to know some of the fellow Rammers up here, and it is always good to have a list of contacts just in case one of us runs into some problems.



I suppose I will wait and see. Its probably not the smartest thing to do, but I am interested in seeing just how well the batteries perform.



Craig

 

[TGaines]

I think the issue of battery blankets is hotly contested. I was advised against a heater pad because of the possibility of boiling the water and shorting out the battery, and against blankets because they don't heat up enough to get the center of the battery warm. I'm sure I will need something though as my batteries are older and I was having problems last winter at 20 degrees. I guess I should start saving for some optimas.

 

[illflem]

I've gotten by without any battery heat in Montana but it only gets to -35° here.

 

[HVAC]

CCOLLARCCOLLAR, that name is familiar to me



OMG, what are you doin' in (not so)Fairbanks?



Better look in on purchasing a sno machine. They're a ton o' fun.



Buy some clothes big guy. It got to -66 during my stay up there!