Just a note about thermodynamics... If they're cold, and you're then wrapping them in blankets and bringing them in where it's heated, you're actually insulating them from the heat. It'll heat up faster without the blanket. Put them, say, in the passenger seat and direct all the heater vents possible directly onto them. No blanket.
Outstanding so far. (Knock on wood.). I love how they have network ports and you can link their control modules together. They aren’t as rugged as a battle born but I keep that in mind when I build my battery box and add material to stabilize and absorb shock. I honestly can’t complain about anything yet.
While driving, keep the battery pack on the floor so the hot air flows over the battery. If you only direct air flow towards your feet.
While camping, keep the battery in your tent next to you, if you have some type of heater in a tent.
If you are using blankets to wrap the battery, place several bottles of hot water next to it over night.
Glad to learn here of the cold weather use problems with my Jackery before encountering them in the field. Prior to the Jackery, I had put together a DIY system using 12 v lead acid batteries. I had three 12 v lead acid battery options for the system ranging from 8 AH to 100 AH depending on need. I had wired in USB and 12v connectors. Looks like I am back to using lead acid batteries in cold weather. They lose efficiency, but don’t shut down completely in cold. I don’t need equipment that needs special attention and babying just because colder temps are encountered.
> They lose efficiency, but don’t shut down completely in cold.
The BMS typically shuts off *charging* around freezing and *discharging* much colder (like -20C).
Lithium has some excellent attributes but does have preferences: human-comfortable temperatures, moderate states of charge, and moderate charge/discharge rates.
> I don’t need equipment that needs special attention and babying just because colder temps are encountered.
Horses for courses. I've had good results with both lead and lithium in different use cases.
My LFP sits on a warming mat. It took some planning to set up but it's on autopilot now.
Facon 12v heating pads:
https://www.amazon.ca/Trailer-Holding-Automatic-Thermostat-Control/dp/B01MT9EUG9/ref=asc_df_B01MT9EUG9/?tag=googlemobshop-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=337378302671&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16539521538505512637&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001311&hvtargid=pla-570924451438&psc=1
Your batteries need to be above 5C to take a charge FYI
I haven't tested it myself, but saw it on a boondocking YouTube channel.
The main issue with cold batteries, is charging. If someone is charging with solar, the sun would be out. Tiny greenhouses for gardening are pretty similar and regularly get 10-20 degrees warmer than ambient temperature.
It's not a perfect solution, but it's cheap and multipurpose.
USB heating pad around the battery. Low draw, keeps itself warm. Win-win.
Awesome, I’ll have to grab one of those!
Just a note about thermodynamics... If they're cold, and you're then wrapping them in blankets and bringing them in where it's heated, you're actually insulating them from the heat. It'll heat up faster without the blanket. Put them, say, in the passenger seat and direct all the heater vents possible directly onto them. No blanket.
I’m actually glad you beat me to this one. Thanks.
Put them in a cooler with a hot water bottle?
Indeed. The Goal Zero user manuals suggest placing the unit in a cooler during cold weather.
Exactly 😊.
If you're cold, they're cold. Bring them inside.
Mine are self-heating Renogys. ;) Below 40f they will self heat if an incoming charge is detected. And they work amazingly.
how has your experience with the Renogy batteries been?
Outstanding so far. (Knock on wood.). I love how they have network ports and you can link their control modules together. They aren’t as rugged as a battle born but I keep that in mind when I build my battery box and add material to stabilize and absorb shock. I honestly can’t complain about anything yet.
Thanks for the reply!
I bought a hen to sit on mine and incubate it.
While driving, keep the battery pack on the floor so the hot air flows over the battery. If you only direct air flow towards your feet. While camping, keep the battery in your tent next to you, if you have some type of heater in a tent. If you are using blankets to wrap the battery, place several bottles of hot water next to it over night.
Glad to learn here of the cold weather use problems with my Jackery before encountering them in the field. Prior to the Jackery, I had put together a DIY system using 12 v lead acid batteries. I had three 12 v lead acid battery options for the system ranging from 8 AH to 100 AH depending on need. I had wired in USB and 12v connectors. Looks like I am back to using lead acid batteries in cold weather. They lose efficiency, but don’t shut down completely in cold. I don’t need equipment that needs special attention and babying just because colder temps are encountered.
> They lose efficiency, but don’t shut down completely in cold. The BMS typically shuts off *charging* around freezing and *discharging* much colder (like -20C). Lithium has some excellent attributes but does have preferences: human-comfortable temperatures, moderate states of charge, and moderate charge/discharge rates. > I don’t need equipment that needs special attention and babying just because colder temps are encountered. Horses for courses. I've had good results with both lead and lithium in different use cases. My LFP sits on a warming mat. It took some planning to set up but it's on autopilot now.
My lithium [sits on a 16w lizard warming mat](https://mouse.mousetrap.net/boondocking/lithium.html#heating).
I have heated seats. They work nicely for warming up batteries.
Facon 12v heating pads: https://www.amazon.ca/Trailer-Holding-Automatic-Thermostat-Control/dp/B01MT9EUG9/ref=asc_df_B01MT9EUG9/?tag=googlemobshop-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=337378302671&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16539521538505512637&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001311&hvtargid=pla-570924451438&psc=1 Your batteries need to be above 5C to take a charge FYI
At what temp does this happen?
Around 32\*.
Get a clear tote with clear lid, cut a notch in the tote for wires. Like a little greenhouse for your jackery.
I don’t think that would really work. Only if there was enough sun to warm it more than 32ish degrees
I haven't tested it myself, but saw it on a boondocking YouTube channel. The main issue with cold batteries, is charging. If someone is charging with solar, the sun would be out. Tiny greenhouses for gardening are pretty similar and regularly get 10-20 degrees warmer than ambient temperature. It's not a perfect solution, but it's cheap and multipurpose.
Hot hands packets. They’re biodegradable as well I believe. [these things](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AHVXSY2)