11 replies to this topic

[GageHolding]

Hello again,

Couple of weeks ago I posted about my car not working in this cold weather, turns out that it was the battery after all! :)

Since charging it up and tightening the Fan Belt though the battery just won't keep its charge, it stands for a few days at a time, no more than 5 days though, but even that shouldnt drain the battery should it? its a 48AH battery with an 8 year warranty starting in sept 2011!

Some other old car owners I've spoken to have said how they wrapped their battery in a blanket to keep it warm in the cold weather,
I've stuck some house insulation board in the bottom of the battery well but I've read mixed reviews online about wrapping the battery, some are go for it, some say it won't make a difference and then there's the obvious ones about fire hazard...

just wondering if anyone has any experience with this?

Cheers,
Gage

[ANON]

when did you speak to them, the 1950's??

get the battery and alternator tested first and take it from there.

what make is the battery? i'm guessing with an eight year warranty it's a cheapy make?

Edited by ANON, 29 November 2012 - 07:47 PM.

[Tamworthbay]

when did you speak to them, the 1950's??

get the battery and alternator tested first and take it from there.

what make is the battery? i'm guessing with an eight year warranty it's a cheapy make?

I run a Bosch silver in my MGB, it reads 12.6v normally, today was 11.8v this morning. Back up to 12.7v this afternoon. On an MGB the battery is open to the elements under the back seat. But any battery is affected significantly by temperature and insulating its surrounding is worth doing. If cars are only used for short or infrequent journeys, the drop in temperature can make the difference even if battery and alternator are working fine.

[GageHolding]

its a banner starting bull battery, and yeah Insulating it from the cold would surely stop the battery from losing its charge as quick?

tempted to get a battery level dial fitted to the car as well to keep a check on it?

will try borrow a multimeter and check the battery levels and the altimeter at about 2000rpm

[Tamworthbay]

its a banner starting bull battery, and yeah Insulating it from the cold would surely stop the battery from losing its charge as quick?

tempted to get a battery level dial fitted to the car as well to keep a check on it?

will try borrow a multimeter and check the battery levels and the altimeter at about 2000rpm

I have one of these in the car: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320954936642 I have checked it against a decent multimeter and its very accurate. Saves the hassle of wiring it in as well.

[cradley-heathen]

a few years ago i had an mgf, the first night of cold weather saw the battery go flat. i bumped the car and got to work, left it on charge all day, and got home.

the same thing happened the next day, and the next as at the time i couldnt afford to buy a new battery.

i wrapped a couple of old towels around it and stuffed an old pillow in too for good measure. it started every morning after that without fail, even when the weather got really bad and we had all that terrible snow.

insulating your battery? worked for me!

[Cooperman]

If the battery is working as intended it shouldn't need any 'special treatment'. If the car won't turn over then don't treat the symptons, sort out the real issue. Check the alternator output which nshould be c.14.7 volts at 2000 rpm. Check the battery which shoud be just over 12 volts engine off. Check the earth lead.

[1984mini25]

its a banner starting bull battery, and yeah Insulating it from the cold would surely stop the battery from losing its charge as quick?

tempted to get a battery level dial fitted to the car as well to keep a check on it?

will try borrow a multimeter and check the battery levels and the altimeter at about 2000rpm

From my own personnel experience those banner batteries are cheap crap. If the battery has been run low one or more of the cells could be damaged and no amount of charging will fix that. Anything less than 12.2v on a 12v battery without the engine running is knackered.

[998dave]

its a 48AH battery with an 8 year warranty starting in sept 2011!

As above, check the voltages, if they're alright, and the battery is still discharging - take advantage of the warranty and get a replacement battery!

[GageHolding]

Awesome thanks for the advice guys, for the Time being I've charged the battery and wrapped it in some insulating foam just to keep the cold out!


Also;

I have one of these in the car: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320954936642 I have checked it against a decent multimeter and its very accurate. Saves the hassle of wiring it in as well.

Only problem being with this is I don't have "cigarette lighter" sockets! going to get a minispares TIM007 fitted probably :)

[se_juggles]

Are you sure its the battery? My mini has a problem with starting in the cold and I also thought it was ly battery because we jumped her straight into life. But my battery is band new. I turn on the ignition and keep my foot on the accelerator for around 2 mins while I sort out the stereo etc and then poof she starts without the choke.

[GageHolding]

i'm pretty certain its a battery/alternator issue as the battery is requiring recharging from flat?