Car Batterys. Insulation,

[lozz]

Does anyone, know where ican get one of them Jackets from for a Battery?

sounds daft dont it ?

Vauxhalls have them,
but theres no sighn of them forsale anywhere

Car started up like a Doberman with Asthma yesterday so iwas thinking of getting one of these type of insulation jacket thingys, Batterys ok its just the Weather up here kills batterys,
even with the battery being underthe seat in the citreon dont help,

[Welly]

I wouldn't have thought it would do much after a couple of hours it would be stone cold again, are you sure the insulation kits are not for reducing heat gains from the engine bay? my Volvo has a cold air duct connected to the battery box so presumably the battery is better being kept cool

[lozz]

I wouldn't have thought it would do much after a couple of hours it would be stone cold again, are you sure the insulation kits are not for reducing heat gains from the engine bay? my Volvo has a cold air duct connected to the battery box so presumably the battery is better being kept cool

In summer use id agree mate,
frost reduces the performace of batterys so ive always presumed the jackets used on vaux cars where to
aid the battery thru winter, dunno tho, icouid be wrong


just read this off tinterweb,

The automotive battery is a very interesting device on an automobile. There is no other part that is more neglected, and then expected to perform at peak capability. On top of this, the automotive battery responds to certain outside elements depending on the climate in which it is installed.

For example, living in the Northwest, we are subjected to a moist and mild climate. This affects battery life in many different ways. For instance, moisture contributes to corrosion on the posts of a battery. This can drastically affect the starting capability of the battery, due to the electrical current having resistance to overcome before reaching its destination, which is usually the starter motor. This mild climate we live in also produces cooler weather. Cooler weather can cause starting problems due to a battery's inability to respond by warming itself up. At 32 degrees Fahrenheit, a battery loses up to 50% of its starting ability. Insulation blankets are available, but most of the buying public does not invest in such preventative maintenance items.


When the season changes in the Northwest, warmer weather appears. Although more of an ideal climate, when heat is excessive, it produces resistance. This is a battery's number one enemy! Too much resistance and a battery simply will not be able to release its charge to the starting components of an automobile. The same insulation blankets that keep a battery warm in cool weather also reduce heat when the weather is warmer. Please invest in one to maximize the life of your battery!

[grasmere59]

Does anyone, know where ican get one of them Jackets from for a Battery?

sounds daft dont it ?

Vauxhalls have them,
but theres no sighn of them forsale anywhere

Car started up like a Doberman with Asthma yesterday so iwas thinking of getting one of these type of insulation jacket thingys, Batterys ok its just the Weather up here kills batterys,
even with the battery being underthe seat in the citreon dont help,

What cca (cold cranking amps) is you battery,my old 110 Rapier had a 480 cca battery and suffered from cold starts,i changed it for a 610 cca battery and it made a world of difference,funnily enough both are listed for the 406 110.

[leestudd30]

My old vectra had a battery jacket and the same battery was on the car for 8 years till I scrapped it it, always started first time regardless how cold it got! Has been years since I changed a battery though, is it just a case of following the 3 minute rule and popping a new one in? I'm guessing you need to unscrew the terminals to remove it.

[Welly]

I've got an old jelly-cell 12v battery off an alarm system and I tend to frigg this up to the car's terminals so it doesn't notice you changing the battery the 406 is usually happy to have the battery changed but some motors throw a spanner out the pram and flag the Air Bag light, seeing you down at the dealers for a diagnostic reset

[Gary406]

My old vectra had a battery jacket and the same battery was on the car for 8 years till I scrapped it it, always started first time regardless how cold it got! Has been years since I changed a battery though, is it just a case of following the 3 minute rule and popping a new one in? I'm guessing you need to unscrew the terminals to remove it.

8 years ? same battery ? find that very hard to beleive

[Gary406]

lozz i agree with grasmere here. forget a jacket mate. invest in a higher CCA battery.

[Busman]

My old vectra had a battery jacket and the same battery was on the car for 8 years till I scrapped it it, always started first time regardless how cold it got! Has been years since I changed a battery though, is it just a case of following the 3 minute rule and popping a new one in? I'm guessing you need to unscrew the terminals to remove it.

8 years ? same battery ? find that very hard to beleive

My battery is stamped 09/2002. And I'm therefore assuming it's the original one which makes it 9 years. Starts fine although the higher the cca the better when changing it for a new one.

[leestudd30]

Well its true! I bought the car in November 2003 and scrapped it about a month ago, never changed the battery while I owned it!

[jasper5]

Lozz, if you want something for little or no cost to insulate your battery go to a place that supplies foam to the furniture people and ask for a skin.

A skin is the cutting from the outside of a block of foam, shiny plastic on the outside, warm foam on the inside....you can cut it down to shape to wrap around your battery.

As it's scrap they should give it to you foc.....my sister has a business supplying foam, I use those skins for all sorts, including for lying on the floor under cars.

[Gary406]

Well its true! I bought the car in November 2003 and scrapped it about a month ago, never changed the battery while I owned it!

wish i had that luck with batterys . i seem to buy 1 every 3 years at least. hate paying for one.

[grasmere59]

The best deal i found was ebay 220880405380,5 year guarantee and 610 cca.Halfords etc want twice as much for the same battery,i fiited one last week to my old Rapier before my neighbour bought the car from me and it really did throw it over a lot quicker.

[Gary406]

that is a mega bargain .

[lozz]

some good ideas there thanks all,

good idea that on the foam jaspers,


ihad the battery checked its in good health, strange realy as its the original battery citreon fitted its almost 12years old,
the chap who tested the battery for us Says the Starters lazy get afresh one and Bin the one thats on,

so ive orderd one, £78 not too bad a spose,
started the car this morning but ipressed the clutch in whilst ifired it over and it fired up ok
if idont press the clutch in it seems to start slower, perhaps starter is sticking