I would like to know if there is enough room for a battery
blanket inside the battery box or enough room for 5 or 6
feet of heater tape for cold wether opperation.
Denis

I opened it up and installed 10 gauge wires to replace the smaller connecting wires.

There is not much room inside the box, perhaps 1/4 inch on each side and maybe the same on the top and bottom.

It might be better to store the battery inside during cold weather. But if your parking spot is safe and dry, you could wrap a home-brewing heater belt around the outside of the battery box.

Here is a picture of a British one but you can find them in a local home brewing shop. http://www.homebrew4u...

They look like a lasso with an electric plug on the end.

link to Farnam Battery Heater Pad


Configuration: Fine ribbon wire construction in mica insulated sandwich to offer even heat over entire surface.
Ratings: 120 volts, 35 watts each heater pad.
Dimensions: 6.5" W X 9.5"L X 0.080" H.

$15 each (plus a timer?)

cheers
loCk

Is anyone interested in a group buy of this Farnam Battery Heater unit (or similar)? I want to get 2 for this winter as my batts are really hard to remove. Does anyone know if this Farnam unit is flexible and can be wrapped or is rigid?

I checked the site and shipping (to a US address is about $8), so the more units purchased, the more this can be shared. We'd also need a US address as it looks like the don't ship to Canada.

A little closer to home, this 60w pad described as:
The BH-60 Battery Warmer measures 8.5" x 5.5" and produces 60 watts of power. The BH-60 is a silicone covered, acid resistant, flexible pad that operates on 120 vac and only draws 0.5 amps.



INDUSTRIAL DIESEL PRODUCTS INC

or here

Doesn't say how thin though...

Pyroil Canada (Noma) makes a 50w heater for Canadian Tire "28 long, can be used on batteries 24 to 30 in perimeter. Wraps around battery to heat and insulate. Made of oil and acid resistant vinyl." ...but again, don't know how thick.

I'll guess that the Farnam pad sold by KTA at only 35W is offered specifically with EV'ers in mind as most traction batt packs are already installed in insulated compartments... Plus the large thermal mass of hundreds of pounds of lead takes quite a while to cool down after charging and discharging...

lok