How would I protect a battery from heat?

[BobandWeave]

Having read that protecting a battery from heat helps with its longevity, I was wondering how to do so.

Wrap it in reflectix?

Relocate it to the trunk? (Seems like a lot of work).

How much longer life could I get by protecting it from heat?
And does it matter that I'm in the very mild Pacific North West?

 

[gomes512]

Not sure, but I noticed that our new Ram pickups at work have reflectix/mat insulation type blankets around their batteries. My neighbor has a Jag with a 9 year old battery in the trunk. I've never owned a vehicle with such a setup, longest I've gotten out of engine compartment setups is 5-5.5 years. Might consider making a reflective/insulating blanket for some of our personal cars.

 

[SHOZ]

Most OEs put an insulating sleeve around them now. Heat is bad fo the non sealed ones as it accelerates the water loss. And on all of them the heat makes the electrolyte more corrosive. Changes the voltage too.

Some of that insulating bubble wrap would work, just on the sides though.

 

[Old Mustang Guy]

Your location matters a lot. Here in Texas the heat really kills batteries. My Mustang has an insulated pad around the battery that seems to help. My 01 Escape would only go 3 years on a battery.

 

[SHOZ]

I've put the battery in the trunk on two cars. Mainly for weight distribution though.

Hardest part is finding a pathway for the cable.

 

[NateDN10]

The Chevy Cobalt I used to have had the battery in the trunk. I replaced it after 10 years not because it was actually going bad, just because I was getting nervous!

So it makes a huge difference if you can move it to the trunk. I'm not sure how much you'll be able to improve it keeping it under the hood.

 

[SHOZ]

I did some underhood temperature readings one year on my Gen Coupe. In the summer in the 90Fs, AC on and off.

It was surprising to see the coolest temps were usually with the AC on as it forced the fan on. Otherwise the air under the hood was around 175F just from the radiator and engine heat.

But how hot does the trunk interior get on a hot summer day?

 

[SirTanon]

Would probably depend on where you are. In Phoenix, the interior of my car can easily get up over 145F during summer time, if I leave it parked in the sun. Not sure about the trunk, but I'd say at least as hot.

 

[SHOZ]

When I worked for Gould/GNB they made a silver alloy grid for high heat areas. Motorcraft used them in the SW US.

 

[Linctex]

My V8 Ford Ranger has the battery just in front of & up inside the back bumper, I get 7-8 years from a battery easily.

 

[901Memphis]

Father in law has a Buick lesabre, the battery is inside the cabin under the back seat. The original lasted over 12 years.

 

[sasilverbullet]

Battery far from the engine I get that would be cooler, but come time to replace the battery cables, yikes!

 

[KrisZ]

In Canada I would not worry, it doesn't get that hot here.

 

[Blueskies123]

Originally Posted By: KrisZ
In Canada I would not worry, it doesn't get that hot here.


At the rate we are going it will be hot up there pretty soon.

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: Blueskies123
Originally Posted By: KrisZ
In Canada I would not worry, it doesn't get that hot here.


At the rate we are going it will be hot up there pretty soon.
And when would that be, exactly?

 

[HerrStig]

XJ series Jags were often had a blower for the battery, standard equipment. Wheeler Dealer had Ed China fix one by changing the blower motor.

 

[Linctex]

Originally Posted By: sasilverbullet
...but come time to replace the battery cables, yikes!


Not if done properly.
Funny enough, I *never* get any corrosion on my battery terminals.
Maybe rain spray keeps it clean? The same cables since '99 - 18 years & 200K miles

I get a lot of sand/dirt buildup around the cap edges, but it doesn't affect battery life.

 

[Yah-Tah-Hey]

JEGS sells insulated battery protectors. Lot of other places too.

 

[friendly_jacek]

Originally Posted By: SirTanon
Would probably depend on where you are. In Phoenix, the interior of my car can easily get up over 145F during summer time, if I leave it parked in the sun. Not sure about the trunk, but I'd say at least as hot.


engine is much worse due to heat soak. i monitored battery temp in my wife's V6 RAV4 after losing batteries every 3 years. it was 150F after a drive in ambient 90F AC on. there is a flimsy OEM battery "cover" from thin plastic. 150F clearly exceeds what's generally specified for lead battery.
now, i open hood in the car after she comes back from work. extended battery life to 4 years.

trunk is much better. i've seen it in saturn ion and toyota prius. the prius 12V battery is 7 years old and strong as ever. the other cars i have/had batteries lasted for 4-5 years.

 

[555]

One would think the trunk would be cooler since it admits no sunlight.
The problem I have(among many LOL) is that if the battery gets hot with insulation around it then it will most probably take longer to cool off. So instead of cooling off a little in a parking garage at a mall, the heat is kept in.