Battery insulators, are they needed or not?

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wtd

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I had to replace the battery today on my 2004 Monte Carlo SS Dale Jr. edition. Later, after getting home, I realized that the battery that was in it didn't have the insulator cover on it like all of the other GM vehicles I have owned. Both of my 98 chevy trucks have them.

So what are the opinions or solid knowledge on these things? Are they needed or not? I believe the car originally came with one since I did find a diagram and part # online for my car.

I was just wondering if they extend battery life since the battery that was in it was a Bosch brand that was less than 3 years old when it went bad. Thanks.

Wayne
 
They are not needed, but how much does one cost? If you could get a extra year or two of battery life, I believe the potential benefit could outweigh the cost. If only cost was within reason.
 
Online they are around $20 for a factory GM one. I will probably get one if it will help prolong the life of the battery.

The car manufacturer puts them on for some reason but I didn't know if anyone had any real world experience or knowledge about whether they prolong battery life.

Wayne
 
I always assumed these were to protect against positive terminal contact with the hood, bodywork or other stray items..??
 
In your location not needed at all, it probably wont add a day to the battery life in this car.

My W body had one OEM and the battery lasted 5 yrs, it was well shot when i took it out so i left it out. This Delco battery is going on 6 yrs now.
I see dozens of GM's getting longer life out of the battery without them which leads to the question. Is the battery holding more heat and causing damage long term?
 
Originally Posted By: Trav
Is the battery holding more heat and causing damage long term?

It does prompt that question. I know in the GM Lambda vehicles (GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave and Saturn Outlook--I owned a 2008 Acadia); the battery was relocated to a compartment beneath the floorboard and behind the passenger seat to reduce/prevent the damage to the battery caused by heat. It would **seem** to be a valid assumption that a battery insulator in a warmer climate would cause more harm than good.
 
On the other hand if it was really needed than why don't all manufacturers use one that have the battery in the same location?
Millions of cars have been on the road with batteries under the hood and had no problems without one.

I guess it probably has a reason for being there but does it really provide a benefit?
Over the years i've seen all sorts of useless stuff that the bean counters didn't get, e.g. $25 fill tube splash shields that were open on the side.
The tube rotted out all the same only under the shield, the real fix would have been a better grade of metal with a coating (which did come out later).
There is no figuring the bean counters.
 
Aren't they just terminal protectors? Protecting from shorts and some dirt/dust buildup - what if the battery hold-downs came loose and allow the battery to bump under the hood or if some non-thinker laid something conductive across the terminals, or positive to ground.
I don't see them necessary as long as the positive terminal doesn't get to ground
 
Originally Posted By: Trav
In your location not needed at all, it probably wont add a day to the battery life in this car.

My W body had one OEM and the battery lasted 5 yrs, it was well shot when i took it out so i left it out. This Delco battery is going on 6 yrs now.
I see dozens of GM's getting longer life out of the battery without them which leads to the question. Is the battery holding more heat and causing damage long term?


Agreed. Where it is located wont make a difference if you have an insulator or not. I wouldn't bother
 
I know that my fiance's 2003 Ford Superduty with the 6.0 diesel has them on the batteries.

When I got home yesterday, I checked my tranny fluid and was looking at some other stuff and touched the side of the battery that faced the engine and it was extremely hot so I do know that the underhood heat reaches to where the battery is. These insulators do not cover the top of the battery, just the four sides.

I read an article about these that says during the hotter months, it helps protect the battery from excessive heat. During the colder months, it helps retain a little bit of the battery's own internal heat to help protect it from the cold.

Now whether or not this is all true, I don't know. Thanks for the replies everyone.

Wayne
 
Originally Posted By: Errtt
Aren't they just terminal protectors? Protecting from shorts and some dirt/dust buildup - what if the battery hold-downs came loose and allow the battery to bump under the hood or if some non-thinker laid something conductive across the terminals, or positive to ground.
I don't see them necessary as long as the positive terminal doesn't get to ground

These insulators don't cover the terminals at all. They have cutouts in them where the battery cables hook up so they would not protect against any type of short.

Wayne
 
My first guess is to protect from ambient engine heat.
This could help - lots of heat will puke a battery sooner. This is why 'Southern' batteries are different from 'Northern' batteries - they are biased towards the ambient heat expected.
I can't see how it would protect from cold, as the battery is not a big heat producer.
A piece of house insulation seems to be a good cheap alternative to expensive factory insulators..
 
I made my own out of radiant heat blocker that I bought from lowes. Its a shiny bubble wrap you use in attics. after driving around, using a infered temp gun, the outside of the heat shield averages 90 degrees warmer than the battery side of the heat shield. however, my battery is less than a foot away from the turbo/exhaust manifold and is in a small engine compartment. mine isnt holding in heat.
 
I did end up ordering one from the dealer as it was the same price as the online one. It will be here in the morning.

I never thought to use my infrared temp gun to measure the heat difference. I will try that and see if I see any difference. I also think I have some of that stuff from lowes that you are talking about. I wish I would have thought about that earlier.

Wayne
 
Cutting the 24" length by 3 then I have 3 pieces 8"X12", it will be enough to cover the side of the battery size 51 for the S2000: L: 9.4" W: 5.1" H: 8.8".
 
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