Batteries in cold weather

[MapleLeafFarmer]

-33 this morning and of course cold batteries become a problem. A problem known since i was a child taught to me by my father.

My unexpected morning on brand new vehicle/brand new battery story follows...

for EV users it is generally known you can expect to loose up to 40% of your battery life in cold weather. https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/cold-saps-up-to-40-of-ev-battery-life-caa-test-finds/

on older batteries and starting batteries most know a battery is weaker in cold weather.

But how about NEW gassers with new batteries? On my new F150 the dealer told me this morning of course you are going to have battery problems. Ford tech. told me this morning given so much electronics on the newer vehicles they sense the lower battery state and start to throw codes and shut stuff down!!! new truck / new battery just a cold winter day. Solution is to keep vehicle in heated area, use a battery tender, or wait till weather warms up is all the Ford tech could offer.

He did tell me be thankful I am not driving an EV today as he is getting constant calls that so many have turned into bricks until they get towed inside a heated place to warm up or plugged into a charger to warm the batteries.
Was told new truck with lots of electronics, with battery in perfect condition requires a battery tender if stored outdoors in cold weather. Otherwise expect computer to shut features down and maybe prevent a start. To me this is a step backwards not forward

 

[MINICUP28]

Just replaced the battery in my 2015 F150. I never had a battery last that long in my life. Of course, it was a below zero day, but the good news was: I was in the Walmart parking lot. 20 minutes later I was on my way with a new H7 AGM that should last the life of this vehicle.

 

[Mowbizz]

I get this on my 013 F150 in frigid weather. I have to say, my 10+ year old BX25D battery (original) has stood the test of time and cold! Tractor sits outside in the rain, snow, ice, etc and has never let me down (yet) I’m sure the day will come, however…

 

[GreensvilleJay]

What I don't understand is why people don't put 'battery warmers' in their rigs ? Will spend coins on block heaters though .
Used to use Gates SLA batteries as approved for nuke sub use, spent 6 MONTHS of R&D to design/build proper charging for them and keep them 'warmish'. They never ever let me down in 40+ systems.
A WARM battery is a HAPPY battery !!!

Always love that EV batteries have to heat themselves to operate, or when it's tooooo cold, 'sorry, take a bus' msg pops up !

 

[Mowbizz]

What I don't understand is why people don't put 'battery warmers' in their rigs ? Will spend coins on block heaters though .
Used to use Gates SLA batteries as approved for nuke sub use, spent 6 MONTHS of R&D to design/build proper charging for them and keep them 'warmish'. They never ever let me down in 40+ systems.
A WARM battery is a HAPPY battery !!!

Always love that EV batteries have to heat themselves to operate, or when it's tooooo cold, 'sorry, take a bus' msg pops up !

I do have both battery and oil pan heaters but if I forget to put the tractor in the garage before the storm, i start it cold.

 

[BX25D Rookie]

My tractors are always stored inside my barn. Recently, we had minus 28 F degrees here at my location.

Many years ago after acquiring a Harley Davidson motorcycle, I noticed that the owners manual stated
that if you weren't actively riding the motorcycle, whenever possible, it should be on a battery tender.
Harley Davidson sells battery tenders so I bought one.
The Harley Davidson dealer installed the permanent battery tender pigtail prior to delivery.

I'm certain that other brands/styles/types of battery tenders work just as good as the Harley Davidson
type, but since they have worked so well for me, and I have only ever had one fail in 20 years of usage,
I continue using them.

I have enough batter tenders running continuously in my barn that the soft green "charge indicator LED lights" work as a night light!

i even set up my carport with a power strip and battery tender for my Jeep, since after retiring, it no longer is a "daily driver" and sits outside in the cold for long durations during the winter months.

Modern vehicles with computers, electronic dashboards, entertainment systems and whatever other
silly electronic nonsense, always consume some battery electric power, even when turned off.
Some of them have surprisingly high "parasitic circuit draw" milliamp readings.

Over time, especially when it's cold, these vehicles WILL discharge the battery.

So needless to say, I am a big fan of battery tenders. They keep the battery fully charged at all times
when connected. That certainly is a big plus when you go outside for snow removal chores and it's
10 degrees Fahrenheit out in the barn. The two story "Morton Building" type barn is too big, uninsulated, and far too expensive to heat.

Jeep in the carport.
Harley bike in the barn.
Yamaha bike in the barn.
Honda SxS in the barn.
Honda ATV in the barn.
Kubota BX 25 in the barn.
John Deere X 720 in the barn.

When they deliver my newest acquisition, the BX 2370, they will pick up the traded in JD X 720
and the first modification on the BX 2370 will be to add the permanent battery tender pigtail on it.

The one exception for being constantly connected to a battery tender is the Yamaha bike.
I installed a lithium ion battery in it for the weight savings. (sport bike where weight savings is KING)
The battery manufacturer stated it should not be on a battery tender continuously.
So about once a month, I will plug it into the battery tender for about six hours which charges it completely, and then I unplug the tender. The Yamaha bike has an engine control ECM and an electronic digital dashboard. i was surprised how much those two electronic components discharged the cigarette pack sized lithium ion battery in a month. And the lithium ion battery is slightly more than three pounds weight savings compared to the factory equipped lead-acid battery.

The newest "generation" of Harley Davidson battery tenders are user selectable for conventional lead-acid batteries, AGM batteries, and lithium ion batteries.

Cold start problems? Never.
Dead batteries? Never.
Also, a huge increase in battery service life as they are never allowed to sulphate.

Block heater, no. Battery tray heater, no. Fully charged battery, YES.

 

[SAR Tracker]

Not a battery problem, per se, but gaining access to install a tender pigtail on my LX2610. Had all the materials I needed, went to open the hood, and couldn't. SH(%. Tried to look under the hood from the bottom of the tractor, but engine was in the way. SH(%. Could move the hood a little side to side which seemed to confirm my suspicions the latch was broken. SH(%. Then that little voice in the back of my head said "Hey, dumbSH(%, it's -16F outside, and you're in an unheated shed - the hood is frozen to the frame!" Got the heatshrink gun out, and about 5 minutes later easily had the hood open. Lesson learned.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

re: The battery manufacturer stated it should not be on a battery tender continuously.

I'd love to know WHY they said that ! Having designed and built 'battery tenders' since decades before the name came about, I'm really curious !!

 

[SDT]

What I don't understand is why people don't put 'battery warmers' in their rigs ? Will spend coins on block heaters though .
Used to use Gates SLA batteries as approved for nuke sub use, spent 6 MONTHS of R&D to design/build proper charging for them and keep them 'warmish'. They never ever let me down in 40+ systems.
A WARM battery is a HAPPY battery !!!

Always love that EV batteries have to heat themselves to operate, or when it's tooooo cold, 'sorry, take a bus' msg pops up !

Bingo.

Always have battery blankets on my whole hours gensets, whether propane or NG.