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Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 9:45 pm
by bmcecosse
It won't help 'capacity' - but it certainly helps cranking ability! I know - i've done it - actually taken battery indoors overnight in v cold weather - it cranks the car MUCH better next morn.
Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 10:08 pm
by PSL184
bmcecosse wrote:It won't help 'capacity' - but it certainly helps cranking ability! I know - i've done it - actually taken battery indoors overnight in v cold weather - it cranks the car MUCH better next morn.
Which clearly indicates the battery was not fully charged in the first place.... If your going to the trouble to take it off the car in the first place you may as well put it on charge at the same time - That will guarantee you'll be starting well the next day (after you've spent 10 min fidling around in the snow / frost to put it back on). Personnally I just make sure my battery is functioning as intended....
Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 9:22 am
by MarkyB
As long as everything is in good shape and adjusted properly Minors cope well in the cold.
However there is nothing like a cold snap to find any weaknesses.
The battery is only part of the equation albeit an important one.
OPTIMA batteries are very highly rated by American classic car owners and British bikers.
Can you get any kind of discount on them?
Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 12:05 pm
by PSL184
According to our intranet there is an employee discount available. How you actually go about acheiving this, I'm not sure. I'll make some enquiries and see if I can get any prices.
Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 2:55 pm
by bmcecosse
PSL - my battery was fully charged - but v cold weather some years ago - the only way it could start the Mini was by being kept indoors overnight. It was -20C outdoors. Left in the car - it could barely turn the engine - kept in the house, not on charge, fitted in the morning - it cranked the engine up just fine! The battery was not 'new' - but it gave many years good service afterwards - so there wasn't anything wrong with it - just cold!
Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 6:15 pm
by PSL184
Great stuff - If it works for you go for it - just don't boil the electrolytes ;-)
Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 8:31 pm
by MarkyB
"-20C outdoors" might have frozen the electrolyte
Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 8:42 pm
by bmcecosse
Getting close! Certainly would do on a 'flat' battery! As for 'boiling the electrolite' - my wife wouldn't allow it in the oven - I did suggest it would help ........ it was after all 'her' Mini!