Battery Trickle Charging and Jumper Cables

[LibertyTC]

Through the colder winter months, as my Kj can sit idle for days without starting, I will trickle charge my new battery once a week to keep it topped up.
I used caution with ouptut voltage from some chargers and checked mine to be 14.7 volts, @ 2amp and connect to battery without removing. I did note that at 6 amps it was over 15.4 volts and that might not be good for electronics as previously mentioned in here. Time for a better "SMART" charger that can have a higher amp output with 14.7 volts or does this matter as long as the vehicle is off and door lights off etc?
Regarding jumper cables I am in desperate need for some new cables.
Finally as seen on a TV car show....Michelin "Smart" jumper cables that are surge protected with reverse polarity protection. There is no red cables here.
Check these out, just release Oct 22nd.
https://www.buysmartcables.com/ver4/index.asp

 

[LibertyFever]

I have one of Superex "Smart" jumper cables, I have two comments about them;

#1. when you're used to connecting jumper cables Red to Positive & Black to Negative it can be disconcerting when there aren't any colors.

#2. Mine won't jumpstart a completely dead battery, there has to be a couple of volts remaining in the dead battery, I guess to recognize the polarity of it.

Have you considered a solar powered trickle charger for your battery?

And just why do you fear that your battery will die if not used often? Heck just yesterday I started my 95 YJ with no great problem and it had been sitting idle for a month. I used the YJ to boost the Libby

 

[Dave]

That is interesting. Never seen that one before and I see it just came out. So it must have electronic wizzardry that adjusts to however you hook it up I guess. So it is dummy proof.

I have had my KJ sit about 3 weeks in the winter without starting when I was away. When I got back it started right up. I was wondering if I was going to have trouble with it, but I didn't.

I have a trickle charger but find that I mainly use it on the boat battery. It is automatic so it will not overcharge. Your 14.7 volt reading is normal for a charged up battery (AFAIK) as I have also had that reading many times. Not sure at what point an overcharge will blow something.

I wonder what gauge the wire is in those jumpers??

Dave

 

[kb0nly]

If your worried about it sitting for long times get a battery tender, one of the hardwired units mounted under hood with a plug to route out like a block heater. Then just plug it in when your not going to be using it for a while.

 

[JeepJeepster]

Yeah, trickle chargers will slowly kill your batteries. Like you said, you want a smart charger that will shut off when it sees that the battery is charged them it will float charge and monitor the battery.

http://batterytender.com/automotive/battery-tender-junior-12v-at-0-75a.html

 

[Andynator]

Through the colder winter months, as my Kj can sit idle for days without starting, I will trickle charge my new battery once a week to keep it topped up.[/URL]

Batteries do not "lose charge" just because it is cold. The colder temperature simply slows down the chemical reaction that generates the electron transfer through the electrolyte. At the same time, the cold engine requires more cranking power, so you're losing at both ends.

You can install a battery warmer that is a wired rubberized plate that mounts underneath the battery, or a wired blanket that wraps around the battery. Either one will help without causing possible charging issues as mentioned above. And adding a block heater at the same time will reduce the cranking power needed. This will extend the battery's service life more than anything else (assuming no problems with the charging system).

Good luck,

 

[LibertyTC]

Cold Battery brrr...

I appreciate your comments, gave me some ideas. Firstly always full synthetic oils everywhere. I am sure the diff and cases would not like reg gear lube/oil at -40.
In essence at -40 (my understanding) you do not have the same amount of CCA as compared to above freezing. That is why batteries have a CCA rating at 70 and zero. It is all about the specific gravity of the electrolytes. Bring along a charger and you will warm up the battery and restore the charge.
Even though I block heated the KJ in -40 in Alberta, that last battery was just pooched at those temps, and of course you find out the hard way in the am, yup it failed the load test alright. Very Embarrassing with no cables or a booster. Possibly instead of buying cables, I should carry one of those portable all in one converters, that could help someone else too. (they are heavy though)
So..I intend on doing an interior run again this winter with a relatively new battery.
What I will bring is a small charger, power bar to also plug block heater in, and good long heavy duty extension cord with a timer, to start up about 4 hours before your leave time. I am also going to make a battery cover out of felt hair pad. The darn thing is going to start this time in the am! I may need a front rad bra as well. That would help with keeping it warm in there with a plastic rad. What are the chances with fluid at -50 of that rad cracking at those sub zero temps? Leave the block heater on all night then I guess.

 

[Ry' N Jen]

I appreciate your comments, gave me some ideas. Firstly always full synthetic oils everywhere. I am sure the diff and cases would not like reg gear lube/oil at -40.
In essence at -40 (my understanding) you do not have the same amount of CCA as compared to above freezing. That is why batteries have a CCA rating at 70 and zero. It is all about the specific gravity of the electrolytes. Bring along a charger and you will warm up the battery and restore the charge.
Even though I block heated the KJ in -40 in Alberta, that last battery was just pooched at those temps, and of course you find out the hard way in the am, yup it failed the load test alright. Very Embarrassing with no cables or a booster. Possibly instead of buying cables, I should carry one of those portable all in one converters, that could help someone else too. (they are heavy though)
So..I intend on doing an interior run again this winter with a relatively new battery.
What I will bring is a small charger, power bar to also plug block heater in, and good long heavy duty extension cord with a timer, to start up about 4 hours before your leave time. I am also going to make a battery cover out of felt hair pad. The darn thing is going to start this time in the am! I may need a front rad bra as well. That would help with keeping it warm in there with a plastic rad. What are the chances with fluid at -50 of that rad cracking at those sub zero temps? Leave the block heater on all night then I guess.

I have an electric battery blanket which you wrap around the battery
and plug into the same power outlet which the block heater is plugged into.
I used that everyday in the winter when I lived in Red Deer, Alberta.
Keeps the battery warm and allowed me to start my car without any problems.
Canadian tire sells them.

 

[ChiefRudy]

I wouldn't worry about it. My Fiancee's 1981 Mer. Benz Sits from october to march/april with out being ran and turns over everytime after sitting and far as i know there is a 5+ year old battery in it. Because thats how long she has had it and the battery was never changed. She stores it in a Non heated Garage so it's gets well below freezing in there all through out the winter

Plus my KJ goes days without starting since I got my company van(Fed 09) and it turns over everytime.

 

[JeepJeepster]

Do you people up north have anything to keep the engine oil warm? Keeping the antifreeze warm is nice but I would rather my oil be warm too.

 

[LibertyTC]

Oil and battery blanket

Jeep Jeepster,
Heat up oil with either a dipstick heater or there is also magnetic oil pan heater, which I hear works better than the dipstick, but you also have to crawl under to remove it each time my guess.If you are using full synthetic motor oil, it should flow well enough that oil heater not necessary.
Ryan,
Going to Can Tire tomorrow..see their battery blanket wrap around type.That should work well as you stated..Thanks.

 

[Dave]

Do you people up north have anything to keep the engine oil warm? Keeping the antifreeze warm is nice but I would rather my oil be warm too.

It gets -15 below here at night sometimes colder during the coldest weather. The coldest it gets in the garage on a real cold night is around 30 degrees or so. The KJ sleeps in there sometimes when it's real cold or going to snow so I don't have to clean it off. I have had no problems starting it even when it sat in there for a couple of weeks when I was away during the coldest weather. Nothing done to it to keep the oil or antifreeze warm. No battery blanket or anything.

Dave

 

[LibertyTC]

It gets -15 below here at night sometimes colder during the coldest weather. The coldest it gets in the garage on a real cold night is around 30 degrees or so. The KJ sleeps in there sometimes when it's real cold or going to snow so I don't have to clean it off. I have had no problems starting it even when it sat in there for a couple of weeks when I was away during the coldest weather. Nothing done to it to keep the oil or antifreeze warm. No battery blanket or anything.
Dave

A garage....I am jealous !The only time my kj sits in a garage is when it's being fixed!~ Lol
I normally have no problems either at -15 outside, but where I intend on going it's going to be -40C..that is a whole different world...poor Kj's going to freezeWow1.gif big time...in these extreme conditions a warm block, fully charged battery (warmed) gas line anti-freeze and slow interior warm up's a must !!...plastic cracks easy at -40....protest.gif
Welcome to the Great White North

 

[Dave]

A garage....I am jealous !The only time my kj sits in a garage is when it's being fixed!~ Lol
I normally have no problems either at -15 outside, but where I intend on going it's going to be -40C..that is a whole different world...poor Kj's going to freezeWow1.gif big time...in these extreme conditions a warm block, fully charged battery (warmed) gas line anti-freeze and slow interior warm up's a must !!...plastic cracks easy at -40....protest.gif
Welcome to the Great White North

Where are you going where it's -40??

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Where are you going where it's -40??

My guess?
Edmonton, Alberta.

I keep a dog team and dog sled in my ski box!
Oh, and a portable igloo!

A really cool item, all you do is add water!

 

[cuatroXcuatro]

Do you people up north have anything to keep the engine oil warm? Keeping the antifreeze warm is nice but I would rather my oil be warm too.

The next step from a block heater is a recirculating heater, where the engine coolant is heated and kept in motion. Haven't heard of any oil heaters.

For those here in Canada here is a great little battery tender:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow.../CTEK+Multi-use+3300+3.3A+Battery+Charger.jsp

 

[LibertyTC]

AM going to...

My Rocky Mountain Kj is going through the Rockies into Northern Alberta.
Have Friends in Edmonton and then up to Fort McMurray .

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Do you people up north have anything to keep the engine oil warm? Keeping the antifreeze warm is nice but I would rather my oil be warm too.

The next step from a block heater is a recirculating heater, where the engine coolant is heated and kept in motion. Haven't heard of any oil heaters.

Here's a link to Princess Auto.
For a magnetic 200 Watt heater which you stick against the oil pan.

Hey Tim, Princess Auto sells the battery blankets for less than CDN Tire!

http://www.princessauto.com/truck-trailer/truck-accessories/12v-heaters/list-all

If you click on the item, there is not a larger picture.

 

[LibertyTC]

Princess Auto

Thanks Ryan,
That 80 watt Kats for $35 sounds good but it's a 36"
I guess only the 60 watt 28 inch will fit $30.

 

[Ry' N Jen]

My Rocky Mountain Kj is going through the Rockies into Northern Alberta.
Have Friends in Edmonton and then up to Fort McMurray .

Hey Tim,

The last time Jen and I were in Alberta was 4 years ago. Just before we moved back to B.C.

Anyway, Peavy Mart I believe still sells one of those engine coolant heaters.
It heats the engines coolant and circulates it through the engine and heater core as well.
When you start the vehicle up, the heater immediately starts pumping out warm air.
Sort of like this unit from the UK.
http://www.kenlowe.com/pre-heaters/cars/index.html

That particular one is only available in 220/240 volts.
http://www.kenlowe.com/pre-heaters/cars/spec.html

But I've seen them elsewhere in Alberta, but I cannot for the life of me remember which retailer there was selling them!

I had one of the Kenlowe heaters in my Mini when I lived in The Netherlands and it worked awesome!

Also, I was going to tell you that the newest Hotshot windshield washer fluid heater is a good idea for use in really cold weather.
Best part is that they keep the washer jets from freezing up.

Also at Princess Auto (I was in Langley on Sunday and they had 3 of them there, but I didn't look for the price of it.