How Harsh is Cold Weather on Batteries?

Dlab · 01-03-2018, 01:05 AM

I use my cart for hunting, US Batts are less than a year old, DPI charger. It’s a DS cart that was converted with an Alltrax 500, 6 8 Volt US Batts, HD contactor, AMD Beast Motor.

I left it in the field over night as it still read over 90% charge, today it was 20 degrees, cart was sluggish. On the way back from the stand I saw the voltmeter get as low as 35 volts.

When on the trailer it got back to around 50 volts per voltmeter.

Is it normal in cold temps like this for it to drop that low under load?

Muddog · 01-03-2018, 02:25 AM

How cold did it get?
Did your batteries freeze?
How is your water level?
That's a large voltage drop.
I would check connections.
Maybe some of cold weather guys will offer more.
I'm not having any problems in our beautiful 25 degree 60% humidity weather.

David Maner · 01-03-2018, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dlab

I use my cart for hunting, US Batts are less than a year old, DPI charger. It’s a DS cart that was converted with an Alltrax 500, 6 8 Volt US Batts, HD contactor, AMD Beast Motor.

I left it in the field over night as it still read over 90% charge, today it was 20 degrees, cart was sluggish. On the way back from the stand I saw the voltmeter get as low as 35 volts.

When on the trailer it got back to around 50 volts per voltmeter.

Is it normal in cold temps like this for it to drop that low under load?

Yes it is normal for a lead acid battery to lose voltage with cold temps

You can really tell that in frigid weather when you go to start your car. In that case if you have a way to warm the battery up you'll see an increase in how fast the starter spins the motor. I know this because I've done the necessary experiment to find out. Some of the reason the engine turns so slow in frigid weather is the oil is thicker but the main reason is the battery voltage is lower.

If you don't believe me sometime when its colder than heck out and your auto/tractor/truck, whatever won't spin fast enough to start bring the battery in where its warm and let it warm up and then try it. It'll surprise you how much difference that makes.

Mooncarter · 01-03-2018, 03:10 AM

I think your voltmeter was cold and not reading correctly.

As far as starting a cold internal combustion engine, cold metal and cold oil are tough on a battery. "Warm" the battery up a bit with the headlights etc. before starting the engine.

Don't know all the science but works for me.

rib33024 · 01-03-2018, 04:02 AM

David Maner and Mooncarter, the OP Dlab has an electric cart with 8 volt batteries not a gas engine

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dlab

I use my cart for hunting, US Batts are less than a year old, DPI charger. It’s a DS cart that was converted with an Alltrax 500, 6 8 Volt US Batts, HD contactor, AMD Beast Motor.

Mooncarter · 01-03-2018, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rib33024

David Maner and Mooncarter, the OP Dlab has an electric cart with 8 volt batteries not a gas engine

I responded to the OP's question and DM's post.

rib33024 · 01-03-2018, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mooncarter

I responded to the OP's question and DM's post.

theboss20 · 01-03-2018, 07:18 PM

A fully charged battery will not freeze. In many cold weather areas we use battery blankets and battery heaters to insure max cranking power...

Cruise Master · 01-03-2018, 08:04 PM

ScottyB or David should know the answer to this one.

dundeebarnbuggy · 01-03-2018, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dlab

I use my cart for hunting, US Batts are less than a year old, DPI charger. It’s a DS cart that was converted with an Alltrax 500, 6 8 Volt US Batts, HD contactor, AMD Beast Motor.

I left it in the field over night as it still read over 90% charge, today it was 20 degrees, cart was sluggish. On the way back from the stand I saw the voltmeter get as low as 35 volts.

When on the trailer it got back to around 50 volts per voltmeter.

Is it normal in cold temps like this for it to drop that low under load?

Yep, normal.

01-03-2018, 01:05 AM	#1
Dlab Gone Wild Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 373	How Harsh is Cold Weather on Batteries? I use my cart for hunting, US Batts are less than a year old, DPI charger. It’s a DS cart that was converted with an Alltrax 500, 6 8 Volt US Batts, HD contactor, AMD Beast Motor. I left it in the field over night as it still read over 90% charge, today it was 20 degrees, cart was sluggish. On the way back from the stand I saw the voltmeter get as low as 35 volts. When on the trailer it got back to around 50 volts per voltmeter. Is it normal in cold temps like this for it to drop that low under load?
Dlab Gone Wild Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 373

01-03-2018, 02:25 AM	#2
Muddog Crazy Wild Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Carolina Lowcountry Posts: 796	Re: How Harsh is Cold Weather on Batteries? How cold did it get? Did your batteries freeze? How is your water level? That's a large voltage drop. I would check connections. Maybe some of cold weather guys will offer more. I'm not having any problems in our beautiful 25 degree 60% humidity weather.

01-03-2018, 03:10 AM	#4
Mooncarter Gone Insane Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 14,215	Re: How Harsh is Cold Weather on Batteries? I think your voltmeter was cold and not reading correctly. As far as starting a cold internal combustion engine, cold metal and cold oil are tough on a battery. "Warm" the battery up a bit with the headlights etc. before starting the engine. Don't know all the science but works for me.

01-03-2018, 07:18 PM	#8
theboss20 Gone Wild Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Green Valley, Az Posts: 678	Re: How Harsh is Cold Weather on Batteries? A fully charged battery will not freeze. In many cold weather areas we use battery blankets and battery heaters to insure max cranking power...

01-03-2018, 08:04 PM	#9
Cruise Master Gone Wild Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: summer-north,winter-south Posts: 588	Re: How Harsh is Cold Weather on Batteries? ScottyB or David should know the answer to this one.

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