Winterize BX2350 kept under a lean-to

[SpokaneDude]

I have a 20 year old BX2350 that I take good care of; my question is: Can I take an old soft used blanker and cut it to fit around the battery to protect it in low (32 degree weather) when kept outside under a lean to (open sides)? or should I purchase some kind of battery warmer, or keep a automatic charger on it while under the lean-to?

 

[85Hokie]

The blanket really will not help by itself - once the air is cold, the blanket will be cold too along with the battery! NOW if the battery had an internal warmth, that blanket WOULD help.

I would get a heated warmer made for that battery - the battery will always stay warm that way.

The battery maintainer is also an excellent idea - I have about 8 of those always in use over the winter and summer months - I very rarely if ever have any turning over problems due to weak a battery.

 

[SpokaneDude]

The blanket really will not help by itself - once the air is cold, the blanket will be cold too along with the battery! NOW if the battery had an internal warmth, that blanket WOULD help.

I would get a heated warmer made for that battery - the battery will always stay warm that way.

The battery maintainer is also an excellent idea - I have about 8 of those always in use over the winter and summer months - I very rarely if ever have any turning over problems due to weak a battery.

I take it then the battery maintainer alone would NOT keep the battery from the low temps.?

 

[GreensvilleJay]

All a maintainer does is 'trickle charge' the battery, as required... Does NOTHING to help SUPPLY electrons to tractor. A 'fully' charged battery will NOT supply 100% power when it's cold. Lots of charts and stuff ont he net about this.
A battery warmer will HEAT the battery to a 'nice temperature' so that the battery WILL supply LOTS of electrons to turn over the engine

 

[SpokaneDude]

All a maintainer does is 'trickle charge' the battery, as required... Does NOTHING to help SUPPLY electrons to tractor. A 'fully' charged battery will NOT supply 100% power when it's cold. Lots of charts and stuff ont he net about this.
A battery warmer will HEAT the battery to a 'nice temperature' so that the battery WILL supply LOTS of electrons to turn over the engine

Thank you for the clarification... going to purchase the battery warmer as soon as I measure the battery!

 

[rancher1524]

I live north of you near Colville. I use a block heater and the tractor starts right up.

 

[Trimley]

Here on the "PNWet Side" it doesn't get near as cold, although for the last 8 years I've had a NOCO connected when the colder temps set in. I've never had a cold cranking issue. My previous tractor was 6 years in with the stock battery.

 

[SpokaneDude]

I live north of you near Colville. I use a block heater and the tractor starts right up.

Ahh... an almost neighbor! I'm going to purchase the battery warmer today, and I would like to know what kind of block heater do you have?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

As long as you have the battery charged it's not going to hurt it to get cold.
A block heater is the best for getting it started when it's cold.
DO NOT leave the block heater plugged in for more than an hour or so at a time, as leaving it on too long will burn out the heater early, and will kill your pocket book!
A battery heater will also cost you a lot to heat all winter for as little as you use the tractor.
A battery maintainer will keep the battery charged, keeping it safe, without costing a ton of money to run it all the time.

 

[number two]

Man,32 degrees is not that cold.
Like the above post-a battery maintainer is the most practical solution.
If anything,I'd get a block heater-just because you never know!
Good Luck!

 

[6869704x4]

If it's going to sit all winter just disconnect the battery.

 

[rancher1524]

Ahh... an almost neighbor! I'm going to purchase the battery warmer today, and I would like to know what kind of block heater do you have?

I have the one Kubota makes for my tractor.

 

[skeets]

Not open, but in an unheated pole barn on a ridge top, and the wind seems to be always blowing in the winter down here in the coal country. And a battery tender is all I have used for both little orange beasties and the HD.
Also, but it might be a bit spendy over a long period of time, putting a 60 watt bulb next to the battery with said blanket
Now if you can slow down the wind in that lean-to ,even with enclosing the sides with a cheap HF blue/green tarp, that will help a ton as well.
Or if you have no plans of using it over the winter, just pull the battery and bring it inthe house, yeah I know the BX battery is in a hard place to pull it

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I have a 20 year old BX2350 that I take good care of; my question is: Can I take an old soft used blanker and cut it to fit around the battery to protect it in low (32 degree weather) when kept outside under a lean to (open sides)? or should I purchase some kind of battery warmer, or keep a automatic charger on it while under the lean-to?

Are you new to that area?

The reason I ask is that 32 degrees F is not very cold, well not to me anyway, and most people north of me so I suppose it's kind of a "relativity" thing.

My batteries (tractor, boat, cars, trucks).....regularly see temps in the single digits and teens, and I have never had a problem.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

All batteries lose 'capacity' when cold,anywhere between 20-50% at the freezing point ( 32F, 0C). You need to read the manufacturer's data to see as it really varies between brands and type of battery. Age and condition also affect battery 'performance'.
At the 'warm' 32F, you should be fine with just a 'maintainer' IF you're going to use the tractor often but if it's a 'see you next Spring' deal, remove battery,fully charge it and store in a warm basement.
I store all 10 of mine in garage, 45*F, recharge once a month.

 

[fried1765]

If it's going to sit all winter just disconnect the battery.

............and.........absolutely connect a battery maintainer.

 

[The Evil Twin]

I wouldn't put much thought to any of it till the single digits.

 

[D2Cat]

All batteries lose 'capacity' when cold,anywhere between 20-50% at the freezing point ( 32F, 0C). You need to read the manufacturer's data to see as it really varies between brands and type of battery. Age and condition also affect battery 'performance'.
At the 'warm' 32F, you should be fine with just a 'maintainer' IF you're going to use the tractor often but if it's a 'see you next Spring' deal, remove battery,fully charge it and store in a warm basement.
I store all 10 of mine in garage, 45*F, recharge once a month.

Jay, reading your response wears me out! You have a commercial charging station. I can't imagine hauling batteries out to a vehicle every time I need to use it.

 

[fried1765]

All batteries lose 'capacity' when cold,anywhere between 20-50% at the freezing point ( 32F, 0C). You need to read the manufacturer's data to see as it really varies between brands and type of battery. Age and condition also affect battery 'performance'.
At the 'warm' 32F, you should be fine with just a 'maintainer' IF you're going to use the tractor often but if it's a 'see you next Spring' deal, remove battery,fully charge it and store in a warm basement.
I store all 10 of mine in garage, 45*F, recharge once a month.

I spend 6 months of each year in Florida, while my batteries live in NE.
All remain connected, in their vehicles/tractors/boats, in an unheated building, with quality (no HF) maintainers (12) attached.
Outside air temperatures can occasionally drop to 0 degrees F.
My batteries all seem to last more than 7 years.
I recently replaced one that was 11 years old.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

I don't haul any batteries out of my 'regular riders', they stay in 24/7/365 'ready to use'. the 10 are spares,backups, justincase batteries. 2 are for the UPS,last used to power a polesaw 4 years ago.
I did spend months designing proper battery chargers for my remote energy control systems. Back then (3 decades) Gates SLA batteries, same as USN sub ones, were the best on the market.