I have a truck with small continuous battery drain (I think I know cause but can't fix until next week). I expect it to be very dead by tues-weds. My outside electric outlet doesn't work. (seperate issue) 14 below currently. I expect to use my 900 amp Peak jumpstarter Weds, at noon to jumpstart. thinking battery will be frozen and need jumpstart, how can I best jumpstart the vehicle reliably and safely? Thoughts?
frozen battery charge?
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Why dont you just disconnect the battery rather than wreck it?
I should have thought of that. obvious choice. probably can't get to vehicle in time. results of putting jump starter on battery for 15 min and then starting?
+1. In addition; tring to charge a "frozen" battery can result in the battry exploding.
You cannot use/jump/charge a frozen battery. Period.
If it does freeze, nothing you can do other than to thaw it. Then check for a cracked case.
Figure a way to charge it. Bring it inside.
Move to Florida.
If it does freeze, nothing you can do other than to thaw it. Then check for a cracked case.
Figure a way to charge it. Bring it inside.
Move to Florida.
JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted By: Brent_G
Why dont you just disconnect the battery rather than wreck it?
+1. Do not attempt to charge a frozen battery. Bring it inside, let it thaw, then charge it.
Why dont you just disconnect the battery rather than wreck it?
+1. Do not attempt to charge a frozen battery. Bring it inside, let it thaw, then charge it.
Dont freezing ruin them?
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: Brent_G
Why dont you just disconnect the battery rather than wreck it?
+1. Do not attempt to charge a frozen battery. Bring it inside, let it thaw, then charge it.
This !!
I had a frozen battery explode on me when I tried to boost a vehicle years ago . That was an eye opener.... when off like a shotgun !
Originally Posted By: Brent_G
Why dont you just disconnect the battery rather than wreck it?
+1. Do not attempt to charge a frozen battery. Bring it inside, let it thaw, then charge it.
This !!
I had a frozen battery explode on me when I tried to boost a vehicle years ago . That was an eye opener.... when off like a shotgun !
Guys, the battery in your car charges as you drive. If there was an issue charging a battery in subzero temps, they would be exploding all over the northern US, wouldn't they?
I wouldn't put a rapid charger on it, but jumping the vehicle and letting the alternator do the job of recharging should be fine. UNLESS the dynamics/chemistry of a completely dead battery are different than a partially uncharged battery.
I wouldn't put a rapid charger on it, but jumping the vehicle and letting the alternator do the job of recharging should be fine. UNLESS the dynamics/chemistry of a completely dead battery are different than a partially uncharged battery.
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You've received good advice already, just be careful where you put the battery inside because if the case is cracked you may not know it until the battery thaws and then you'll have battery acid leaking out of it. Also, if the battery is in fact dead when you get to, it can be partially frozen and not necessarily noticeable through the caps. Check the case for signs of bulging. Be careful, an exploding battery really is dangerous.
Originally Posted By: Kuato
Guys, the battery in your car charges as you drive. If there was an issue charging a battery in subzero temps, they would be exploding all over the northern US.
I wouldn't put a rapid charger on it, but jumping the vehicle and letting the alternator do the job of recharging should be fine.
That isn't a very good idea, in fact that is bad advice. What you are suggesting is like playing Russian Roulette. Charging systems are not all created equal. Some don't seem to be affected by driving around on a low battery. Other vehicles are quite sensitive and will be ruined by doing this. Especially a battery that it is flat out dead.
Guys, the battery in your car charges as you drive. If there was an issue charging a battery in subzero temps, they would be exploding all over the northern US.
I wouldn't put a rapid charger on it, but jumping the vehicle and letting the alternator do the job of recharging should be fine.
That isn't a very good idea, in fact that is bad advice. What you are suggesting is like playing Russian Roulette. Charging systems are not all created equal. Some don't seem to be affected by driving around on a low battery. Other vehicles are quite sensitive and will be ruined by doing this. Especially a battery that it is flat out dead.
+3 on bring the battery inside. We're not getting near the cold the midwest is getting, but it got to around 15 below a month ago and my Dad's car wouldn't crank fast enough to start' I brought the battery inside for a few hours and it fired right up. This car also I think has a very tiny battery draw that we can't figure out where it's coming from as it starts fine, albeit cranks slower, in temps above 0. But the super cold makes it crank too slow and start.
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Originally Posted By: KB2008X
Originally Posted By: Kuato
Guys, the battery in your car charges as you drive. If there was an issue charging a battery in subzero temps, they would be exploding all over the northern US.
I wouldn't put a rapid charger on it, but jumping the vehicle and letting the alternator do the job of recharging should be fine.
That isn't a very good idea, in fact that is bad advice. What you are suggesting is like playing Russian Roulette. Charging systems are not all created equal. Some don't seem to be affected by driving around on a low battery. Other vehicles are quite sensitive and will be ruined by doing this. Especially a battery that it is flat out dead.
An entire vehicle, ruined by driving on a low battery? What references do you have for this, and do you have anything from the owner's manual of any vehicle telling owners not to drive below a certain voltage? I thought this condition was what voltage regulators (in older cars) and computers(in newer) were for.
Originally Posted By: Kuato
Guys, the battery in your car charges as you drive. If there was an issue charging a battery in subzero temps, they would be exploding all over the northern US.
I wouldn't put a rapid charger on it, but jumping the vehicle and letting the alternator do the job of recharging should be fine.
That isn't a very good idea, in fact that is bad advice. What you are suggesting is like playing Russian Roulette. Charging systems are not all created equal. Some don't seem to be affected by driving around on a low battery. Other vehicles are quite sensitive and will be ruined by doing this. Especially a battery that it is flat out dead.
An entire vehicle, ruined by driving on a low battery? What references do you have for this, and do you have anything from the owner's manual of any vehicle telling owners not to drive below a certain voltage? I thought this condition was what voltage regulators (in older cars) and computers(in newer) were for.
A fully charged battery (12.66v) will freeze @ -40F, a discharged battery (>1.0v) will freeze @ 30F. Once a battery freezes to the point of distorting the case, the plates and the internal connections will most likely get cracked and/or broken; which shorts a cell. That's why a vehicle can charge a battery successfully @ -20F and so on. The main reason not to try to jump a frozen battery is that if the charge can find a path through the battery, the resistance could cause a small part of the electrolyte to heat up to the point that it becomes steam powerful enough for an explosion.
I train road service drivers, and our training strictly forbids jumping a battery that is swollen, cracked, leaking, or (in hot weather) giving a "rotten-egg" smell. Batteries are much cheaper than repairs, or injuries.
I train road service drivers, and our training strictly forbids jumping a battery that is swollen, cracked, leaking, or (in hot weather) giving a "rotten-egg" smell. Batteries are much cheaper than repairs, or injuries.
A fully charged car battery has 33%-40% sulfuric acid in the cells, and the freezing point is below -30F. (Approximate, because the exact number varies depending on concentration, additives and contaminants.)
When discharged the percentage of acid is lower, resulting in a higher freezing point. If the electrolyte is partially frozen, the charge or discharge current goes through tiny points on the plates. The intense current flows can result in steam and hydrogen explosions.
Where is the exact freezing point? We don't know. There are so many variables, we can't guess. Even if it looks fully liquid, it might be a supercooled liquid that freezes at the first disturbance.
When discharged the percentage of acid is lower, resulting in a higher freezing point. If the electrolyte is partially frozen, the charge or discharge current goes through tiny points on the plates. The intense current flows can result in steam and hydrogen explosions.
Where is the exact freezing point? We don't know. There are so many variables, we can't guess. Even if it looks fully liquid, it might be a supercooled liquid that freezes at the first disturbance.
Brought the battery from the Pacifica in the past couple nights. The hybrid... Yea I'm just gonna let it ride.
If you started your vehicle and was driving it, the battery was not frozen and therefore would not explode.
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