Cubes + compression + deep freeze

[OVERKILL]

So, my 6.4L, which has almost 11:1 compression (10.9:1) and 392 cubes was unhappy starting today (very slow rolling over, almost couldn't do it), and it really wasn't that cold (-16C), which leads me to conclude that my battery is probably in need of replacement. The remote start has been sketching out all winter, and I suspect that's why. When it started, it didn't restore my seat memory, which means it got low enough (the voltage) that something had a stroke and it didn't do the programmed adjustments.

Battery is original (6 years old) and it got me thinking, how hard on a battery it is to turn a starter that's trying to spin over that combo (lots of cubes, high static compression), which is why many of the diesels have dual batteries. The cold of course compounds this, and it would have seen -30C yesterday, even though that wasn't the temp I tried to start it in.

I'm wondering if there's any data on this, or if I should just expect that battery replacement on this is going to me more frequent than what I've seen on other vehicles, like our Expedition, which didn't pose the same challenger to the battery + starter combo?

 

[Patman]

My 2018 Corvette has a 6.2L engine and an 11.5 to 1 compression ratio. I’ve never tried starting it on a -30 day but it is still on its original battery. I do hook up the battery maintainer often though so that probably helped extend it’s life

 

[OVERKILL]

My 2018 Corvette has a 6.2L engine and an 11.5 to 1 compression ratio. I’ve never tried starting it on a -30 day but it is still on its original battery. I do hook up the battery maintainer often though so that probably helped extend it’s life

Yeah, this is my DD, so it gets started in low temps quite frequently. I'm wondering if this has reduced the life of the battery? Not a big concern, just surprising. The battery is under the passenger seat, so it's not like it sees insane heat during the summer months either.

 

[spasm3]

Battery is original (6 years old) and it got me thinking, how hard on a battery it is to turn a starter that's trying to spin over that combo (lots of cubes, high static compression), which is why many of the diesels have dual batteries. The cold of course compounds this, and it would have seen -30C yesterday, even though that wasn't the temp I tried to start it in.

I would be concerned about the starter trying to turn over with limited amperage.

 

[Hohn]

I would be concerned about the starter trying to turn over with limited amperage.

That’s less of a concern than having the battery drop the voltage really far. When the voltage drops, the current can spike quite high. That’s what can take out starters and solenoids. A strong battery (low impedance, ideally) keeps voltage high and protects starters even when they’re doing a lot of work.

 

[OVERKILL]

That’s less of a concern than having the battery drop the voltage really far. When the voltage drops, the current can spike quite high. That’s what can take out starters and solenoids. A strong battery (low impedance, ideally) keeps voltage high and protects starters even when they’re doing a lot of work.

And that's what I think I ran into, based on the fact that it didn't do the auto adjustments after it started, the voltage got low enough that other systems stroked-out.

 

[Z28racecar]

Cold temps are hard on batteries; I'd get it replaced.

 

[Hohn]

They’re spendy, but I buy X2 premium batteries now for everything. I’m not sure if there’s a cheaper way to get a Northstar/Enersys battery.

 

[The_Jeff]

Yeah your battery's toast. You'll notice something like a 2.0 liter Corolla has a battery with 80% of your CCA.

If you want to gimp it along, put a maintainer on it, it'll warm it from the inside.

 

[Rand]

Cold temps are hard on batteries; I'd get it replaced.

IMO:
Hot temps are hard on batteries, Cold temps show up batteries on the way out.

Yeah, this is my DD, so it gets started in low temps quite frequently. I'm wondering if this has reduced the life of the battery? Not a big concern, just surprising. The battery is under the passenger seat, so it's not like it sees insane heat during the summer months either.

Doubtful, 6 years isn't bad.
long term low state of charge can reduce battery lifespan
but a DD wont see that.

 

[OVERKILL]

They’re spendy, but I buy X2 premium batteries now for everything. I’m not sure if there’s a cheaper way to get a Northstar/Enersys battery.

Not sure where I'd find that in Canada? Battery is in the passenger compartment, so it's an AGM.

 

[Rand]

CT has a motomaster for $325

Costco AGM H7/94R < probably way cheaper.
odyssey are over $500

costco:

 

[OVERKILL]

CT has a motomaster for $325

Costco AGM H7/94R < probably way cheaper.
odyssey are over $500

Yeah, was just wondering about Northstar/Enersys (the aforementioned X2 premium), not sure what the equivalent of that, or if that's available, up here.

 

[Hohn]

Not sure where I'd find that in Canada? Battery is in the passenger compartment, so it's an AGM.

NorthStar AGM batteries, similar to X2 Premium (made by NorthStar/Enersys) 14 , available in Canada from:

• Trans-Canada Energies Distribution (tced.ca) 0
• Batteries Expert (batteriesexpert.com) 1
• SaskBattery (Regina/Moose Jaw, SK) 3
• Manitoba Battery (Winnipeg, MB) 4
• Alberta Battery (Edmonton, AB) 5
• Overland Outfitters (overlandoutfitters.ca) 6
• Battery Specialist (Burlington, ON) 7
• Cantec Systems (cantecsystems.com) 8
• BatteryClerk Canada (batteryclerk.ca) 9

Best I could find ^^

 

[Rand]

Battery Specialist (Burlington, ON) 7

They also sell odyssey batteries so that makes sense.