Is there a temperature at which one should consider removing the battery to protect it? My tractor is stored outside and we're expecting about -20°F in a few days.
Battery and freezing temps
- Thread starter Whiskey Mike
- Start date
If it's fully charged then it won't freeze. The lower the state of charge, the higher the freezing point of the electrolyte goes.
fried1765
Well-known member
Equipment
Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
If you can reach your tractor with a 110v extension cord, just put a battery maintainer on your battery TODAY!
It will keep your battery in good condition for EVERY day!
My Kubota F2690, Deere 955, and Corvette Z06 all have battery maintainers on them during the winter. A fully charged battery will lose a lot of power in very cold weather but it won't freeze at temperatures found in any inhabited area of the world.
Rodger
Rodger
Battery blanket would be
- Battery blanket.
- Battery minder.
- Done.
Biker1mike
Well-known member
Equipment
B6200, Kubota 2030 Front Blade, King Cutter 60" finishing deck
Trivia .
Fully charged battery will freeze around -80 F. -62C
Dead battery will freeze at 20 F -6C
Fully charged battery will freeze around -80 F. -62C
Dead battery will freeze at 20 F -6C
GreensvilleJay
Well-known member
Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
ALL batteries are like humans, even if 'fully charged' cannot deliver 'full performance' when cold.
Just because it's 'fully charge' doesn't mean it WILL start your tractor.
Just because it's 'fully charge' doesn't mean it WILL start your tractor.
Although what you say is correct... the OP seems to be asking about battery STORAGE at -20F.... not starting an engine.
Starting a diesel engine at -20F is a totally different discussion.... not to mention hydraulic fluids and HST motors.
Excellent point Bruce and this is why the 3.3L Mitsubishi turbo diesel that powers my standby generator has thermostatically controlled oil pan and coolant heaters. Being the "belt and suspenders" type when it comes to stuff like this, its heavy duty starting battery stays on a maintainer AND I have a big JNC jump pack in the house just in case.
I don't mind getting cold outside but I like having lights and heat inside
Rodger
agree.....
I live in a very cold area and I have yet to ever freeze a battery but then again I test my batteries and if they are in a state of failure I replace.
good batteries good to -80f ... very bad batteries can freeze in the 20's.
I am more concerned with loss of power on my batteries when very cold versus freezing. At -20f your going to have about 25% of original battery power! but if just in storage doesn't really matter.
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Depends on how long you'll be storing it. If I'm not using something for a couple months (RV, mower, etc) then I pull em and put them on a shelf with a tender. If you'll be using it occasionally that would be a PITA to do.
If you can put a tender on it then just be done. They only pull a couple amps at the most. So even a long extension cord is fine.
If you can put a tender on it then just be done. They only pull a couple amps at the most. So even a long extension cord is fine.
THANK YOU for actually ANSWERING the OP’s question (instead of offering all kinds of errata that my be completely unhelpful here on the last-moment during a rapidly-developing freeze.
Biker..I’ve noticed that you consistently remain in the background and silent….until it’s time to give good advice …(or funny sarcasm)…. and then you step-up and hit the nail on the head!
I enjoy your posts (and your humor.)
Biker1mike
Well-known member
Equipment
B6200, Kubota 2030 Front Blade, King Cutter 60" finishing deck
Thank you !THANK YOU for actually ANSWERING the OP’s question (instead of offering all kinds of errata that my be completely unhelpful here on the last-moment during a rapidly-developing freeze.
Biker..I’ve noticed that you consistently remain in the background and silent….until it’s time to give good advice …(or funny sarcasm)…. and then you step-up and hit the nail on the head!
I enjoy your posts (and your humor.)
I haven't had a battery freeze yet. My outbuildings are unheated. My RV and Truck Camper batteries are exposed to the cold. Some of my vehicles also sit outside.
I'm not saying it can't happen, but it's unlikely. Fwiw, we've had -30+ F this year.
I'm not saying it can't happen, but it's unlikely. Fwiw, we've had -30+ F this year.
If it gets that cold, I guarantee my tractor won't start, because I'm not going out there!
Runs With Scissors
Well-known member
Equipment
L2501 TLB , Grappel, Brush Hog, Box Blade, Ballast box, Forks, Tiller, PH digger
My boat is stored in an unheated metal barn and has 3 AGM trolling batteries and an AGM starting battery.
I would rather wrestle a giant alligator then to try and remove them so I just use a battery tender and have never had a problem. I wont pull them out until it's time to replace them.
Temps in that area regularly go sub zero for extended periods of time. (see avatar)
I would rather wrestle a giant alligator then to try and remove them so I just use a battery tender and have never had a problem. I wont pull them out until it's time to replace them.
Temps in that area regularly go sub zero for extended periods of time. (see avatar)