Battery Thermal Covers

[jack]

Hello,

I'm in the process of putting in a battery cover for my auxiliary battery in the GU and came across these:
http://www.sidewinder.com.au/page201a.html
Anyone had any experience with these and would you recommend them over the standard metal shield?

[threedogs]

Good idea, Just had a thread about under bonnet temps and batteries.
Well priced cant do any harm , Derek has some great products, IMO

[Cuppa]

I have my doubts about the usefulness of those covers under the bonnet for anything but short trips. The claim made that they will 'prolong battery life' is, I feel, more about promoting sales than scientific reality. In a hot environment like that the battery is going to get hot anyway, & all that cover is going to do is to help it retain the heat for longer. IMO a heat shield which protects the battery from the worst of the heat (e.g., from the turbo or exhaust) but allows air flow around the battery is best. Those covers might be better for use in cold climates where they would help the battery to retain a greater electrical capacity or for the winter commuter in southern Oz.
As TD says, Derek does sell some good stuff, but he also sells stuff which IMHO only appears to be a good idea e.g. a 'battery monitor' which is actually only a voltmeter to monitor two batteries.

Cuppa

[jack]

Thanks Cuppa,
I hadn't thought about it working in reverse and retaining heat which is an issue. As I'll be doing a very big trip I think I'll stick with a normal heat shield.

[Mtiehatten]

It might help as well by ensuring a slow cooldown of the battery after use in cold weather.

[threedogs]

Having re-read this is easy enough to make one using those silver sun reflectors
,just cut to shape and use grey duct tape on the edges

[Parksy]

You would probably not notice if it's done any benefit in my opinion. To me, it just looks like another water trap that's only going to corrode your battery tray even quicker than it already does.

[threedogs]

Has anyone who's changed their start battery
still have the OE plastic cover and convoluted hose in place

[Robo]

Not thick enough and leaves the top exposed .
also agree water trap.
and proberly promote heat soak after engine has shut down.
better idea would be to line the air box with it to insulate the box, and leave air gap around battery .

[Cuppa]

It might help as well by ensuring a slow cooldown of the battery after use in cold weather.

Why would this be beneficial?

[Robo]

Batteries dislike heat and cool for that matter.
shorten their life.
less power out-put.
don't charge as well, outside optimal temps
that's why I posted line OME box to insulate
may be some of that heat reflection foil,
would be a good idea stuck to the outside of the air box

[happygu]

I have my doubts about the usefulness of those covers under the bonnet for anything but short trips. The claim made that they will 'prolong battery life' is, I feel, more about promoting sales than scientific reality. In a hot environment like that the battery is going to get hot anyway, & all that cover is going to do is to help it retain the heat for longer. IMO a heat shield which protects the battery from the worst of the heat (e.g., from the turbo or exhaust) but allows air flow around the battery is best. Those covers might be better for use in cold climates where they would help the battery to retain a greater electrical capacity or for the winter commuter in southern Oz.
As TD says, Derek does sell some good stuff, but he also sells stuff which IMHO only appears to be a good idea e.g. a 'battery monitor' which is actually only a voltmeter to monitor two batteries.

Cuppa


I dunno Cuppa, I was sceptical too, but I must admit, that either Nissan has an extraordinary supply of unreal batteries that no-one else can buy, or the plastic heat shield with cold air intake actually does some good, as I have never had to change my start battery, but have had to replace the aux battery a few times...

Mic

[Cuppa]

Mic, please could you post a pic of your heat shield, mine doesn't have one.
From your description it sounds to me like you have described what I suggested would be optimal, a heat shield to protect from the worst of the engine heat, but which will allow air to circulate around the battery?

[happygu]

Hi Cuppa,

Here are a couple of pics
33924

33925

This should give you an idea of the standard Nissan Cover

Mic

[geoffayres]

I still have the standard Nissan battery cover in place.
I got another from the wreckers and put it over the aux battery.
My aux batteries....wet cell, gel, AGM.....doesn't matter, they've always lasted just fine.

[janderson]

Having re-read this is easy enough to make one using those silver sun reflectors
,just cut to shape and use grey duct tape on the edges

and you can get them for $3

[Squalo]

I think the Sidewinder cover is probably not a bad idea. Airflow around the battery in theory sounds good, but in reality may not make any real difference - it's hot air after all. The battery cops it both ways - heated air that's been through the radiator, and radiated heat from the turbo.

Heat rises, the Sidewinder cover leaves the top of the battery exposed so that heat can radiate out of it.

I think a battery tray with a shied (like mine had) plus a battery thermal cover and a turbo blanket could potentially extend auxilliary battery life... plus a vent in the bonnet over the turbo to allow heat to escape.

If you really wanted to get serious, you'd make your shields from carbon fibre. It doesn't retain heat anywhere near like other materials. Put some aluminised heat shielding (the good stuff like you find in the engine bay of a helicopter for example) on it and you'd definitely make a difference.

I can get the helo stuff free from a mate, which is why I know about it :) It is regularly replaced during maintenance work and the old stuff is plenty good enough for re-use with motors and exhaust systems.

[alfonso]

put your aux battery in the back . No need for expensive heat shield covers you can use agm style battery . Batteries in the back are a much better option in my opinion closer to all your aux gear such as fridges and lights also uhf so less chance of voltage drop. just make sure you use a fuse box and min 6 b and s cable from vsr .