Freezing temperatures

[Steven Ford]

I have just driven my Tiger 1 to its winter quarters in the basement loo, as the usual parking area is vulnerable to frost and that is bad for batteries I gather.

Has anyone had experience of frozen and, presumably, damaged batteries? How great is the risk? At what temperature do batteries freeze? Is it different for different types of battery - of the sort that we might use in our models?

The brass icons* will be in severe peril tonight - supposed to be minus three centigrade here. Which forum contributor can offer the lowest temperature in their area?




* refers to the English expression: Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey. No idea of the origin of the expression.

[leesellars]

Hello Steven

Just put a blanket on it to keep it cosy.

Lee

[Adrian Harris]

Interesting thoughts. One quick Gogle came up with the following for a Sealed Lead Aces battery (SLA):

"Note that a fully discharged battery freezes solid at about 0°C, a fully
charged battery freezes about -40°C"

So as long as the battery is fully charged, it shouldn't freeze. As the voltage generation in a battery is a chemical reaction, and these slow down with lower temperatures, it should also hold its charge better the colder it is kept. When I worked at the Met Office, the stores held all their batteries in fridges, to extend their shelf life.

"to freeze the balls off a brass monkey."

My favourite explanation is that a brass monkey was a triangular metal stand on which a pyramid of cannon balls was created. As the brass contracted more than the lead as the temperature dropped, the cannon balls would fall off if it got cold enough.

Adrian.

[Robin Ellis]

It is really important to smear the battery terminals with Vaseline. This will stop any corrosion. I have to keep my tank in an unlit very cold detached garage, and have not had any 'battery' problems.

[Steve Lewington]

Hi Steven

If you connect your batteries to an optimiser it will keep your them fully maintained and charged.
All my motor bikes are connected to them over the winter in prep for the summer and the new riding season.
They cost about £30 from any good bike shop also they are very cheap to run.
Hope this is of some help to you.

Steve

[Steven Ford]

Thanks Gentlemen!

Happy Christmas to one and all.

Steve

[John Fitzsimons]

I also keep my bike hooked up to an optimizer. Does the optimate charger that is used by quite a few on the forum act as an optimizer also. Good supplier for these is the green reaper

http://www.thegreenreaper.co.uk/Battery ... ainer.html