Low temp starting question

[jeepcar1]

anyone use a battery warmer ? it was -13 power went out i think my 4390-2 took 3 crank cycles to start . just courious if a warmer would help with cranking or do i need a oil heater . i use 5 w 30 syn oil .or would a battery warmer just help the battery explode faster

[MacMan]

Yes, as a matter of fact, I was just "talking" to SkipD about the ones we installed on our battery's.

He had temps down to -13 degrees F. and said that his gennerator started almost like it was summer out.

I have had similar luck with my warmer/ThermoCube setup....genny started up on first shot at 10 degrees.

If you live where it's real cold a lot, the warmer is the way to go, IMO.

The ThermoCube is personal preference whether you want to use one or not. I love the fact that I don't have to think about plugging in or turning on the warmer manually.....if it's below 35degrees, I'm covered whether I'm home or not.

As for it causing the battery to explode, I hope that doesn't happen to me again. Routine checking of the electrolyte level (I do it every month), and using a Battery Tender instead of the factory charger should all but eliminate that problem.

[Best F100]

I would not think that a battery warmer would be needed with those temperatures with a 5W30 synthetic.

We have had a more than normal amount of days with temperatures down to around -10F this year. (So much for global warming this year in Michigan). To play it safe, I have been using either Mobil 1 0W30 or Castrol Syntec 0W30 when winter begins. I also set my generator exercise timer to start during the warm part of the days (winter afternoons). Generator also starts within 5 seconds regardless of temperature. My generator is between 4-5 years old and I am on my original battery and spark plug.

[MacMan]

No, with full synthetic 0W-30 you probably don't, but for the small amount I spent on the warmer and ThermoCube (less than $40 total for both, I think), it is cheap insurance against a really cold night when the power goes out....I'd rather be safe (warm), than sorry(frozen).

[SkipD]

One reason I installed the battery warmer in my generator is because snow had blown into the battery compartment and caused a problem which prevented the generator from starting (a manual test that I did). I intend to build a permanent baffle to help prevent snow (or rain) from blowing into the battery compartment (which also houses the natural gas regulator), but I feel that the little extra heat in the battery compartment simply cannot do anything but help.

Since I installed the battery warmer, the generator starts more quickly when the temperature is sub-zero (°F) than it did without the warmer. In fact, it starts as well now at sub-zero temperatures as it did in the summer and fall. I am running a 5W-30 synthetic oil (Pennzoil brand).

[rhombixt]

I have the same issue here, my 7kw refuses to start on anything below -5F. the battery is way bigger than the recommended specs so the CCA is much larger. The engine cranks but will NOT turnover. I live in Canada so it can get very very cold here but do I need a battery warmer as opposed to one of those wolverine glue on pad heaters that go on the oil pan? Does anyone here have any experience with them? Where is the best place to put the oil heater and whats the best size to get? The bottom of the oilpan is so close to the bottom of the metal cage that it will be hard to install and I don't want to go thru all the pains of running in a new 120V cct for this heater and then it wont work. Im not overly happy with the guardian so far because it seems unreliable and their tech support is for the most part useless and living in Canada im not really getting much in the way of help from them..so I am on my own for repairs and this sort of thing so any input will be most welcome.

[WB5CCO]

Sounds like what you need is an engine block and/or oil pan heater. Take a look at the Kats 1153 magnetic heater. It is 200 watts and has a stong magnet to attach to the bottom of the oil pan and/or engine block. They also make larger heaters for bigger engines.

[j dave]

One reason I installed the battery warmer in my generator is because snow had blown into the battery compartment and caused a problem which prevented the generator from starting (a manual test that I did). I intend to build a permanent baffle to help prevent snow (or rain) from blowing into the battery compartment (which also houses the natural gas regulator), but I feel that the little extra heat in the battery compartment simply cannot do anything but help.

Since I installed the battery warmer, the generator starts more quickly when the temperature is sub-zero (°F) than it did without the warmer. In fact, it starts as well now at sub-zero temperatures as it did in the summer and fall. I am running a 5W-30 synthetic oil (Pennzoil brand).
Where can you find a battery warmer and how much does it run

Thanks
j dave

[MacMan]

Where can you find a battery warmer and how much does it run

Thanks
j dave

I bought my Kats battery warmer from Amazon.com....they had the best price I could find.

www.amazon.com/Kats-22200-Watt-Battery-Thermal/dp/B000I8XD9E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1233620202&sr=8-1

or a slightly smaller one:

www.amazon.com/Kats-22100-Watt-Battery-Thermal/dp/B000I8VKZ8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1233620202&sr=8-2

EDIT: This is the ThermoCube I mentioned in an earlier post....automatically turns on whatever is plugged into it at 32 degrees, and off at 37....works great w/ the battery warmer.

www.amazon.com/Farm-Innovators-TC-3-Thermo-Cube/dp/B0006U2HD2/ref=pd_sim_auto_3

[rhombixt]

Sounds like what you need is an engine block and/or oil pan heater. Take a look at the Kats 1153 magnetic heater. It is 200 watts and has a stong magnet to attach to the bottom of the oil pan and/or engine block. They also make larger heaters for bigger engines.

I tried one of those but the engine block is NON magnetic... the only magnetic parts are the heat shields around it and thats pointless to heat. Thats why im inquiring about the wolverine heaters that are glue on.

[DanB]

living in the south, i dont have much experience with cold weather startup issues, but if the engine (any engine) is cranking at speed but refuses to start, I'd expect either an ignition or (more likely) an air/fuel issue.

dont know much about propane/ng, but maybe you need something to warm up the air/fuel before its mixed.