Winter is coming: how do I protect the battery?

[2wheelsgood]

Hey not your fault. I researched this fairly thoroughly and got a 45W one as in theory this should be more than sufficient if wrapped around the frame.

Amazon.co.uk

It's weird though, bring it in the house and I can feel the warmth 2 minutes after being plugged in. In the cold of the shed nothing happens.

I have ordered a 100W tubular heater and I can place that fairly close to the frame as it is balanced against the wall.

 

[teskow]

A long time ago I lived in Northern Wisconsin where 20 below zero F. was not uncommon in January and February. I lived in the country and my wife was pregnant so I needed my car to start if necessary at a moments notice. I put a 100 watt light bulb under the hood and covered the hood with a blanket. Surprisingly it stayed toasty warm so maybe an old blanket or a tarp over the bike and a light bulb on the ground/floor would work to keep it warm and dry.
In a welding shop I worked at the welding rods were kept in an old refrigerator with a 100 watt bulb for heat and they stayed HOT.

 

[Saratoga Dave]

That’s a standard trick in the Adirondacks a little north of us. A mechanic’s drop light and a blanket over the whole thing and you’re in business. People just pop the hood and toss one in overnight so the car will start when it’s 20 below in Malone or elsewhere.

 

[Saratoga Dave]

Damn, this thread led me to the past “Winter Is Coming - Biking In Cold Weather” thread in the Similar list below, and there’s good old Richard Friedman weighing in. I find it terribly sad that he isn’t with us anymore, but am happy to be reminded this way on occasion.

 

[fooferdoggie]

I found Eddi Bowers has some great fleece-lined pants that are waterproof. they worked when it got in the 20's for me with nothing else. They were not the best work pants though. I got some keen waterproof insulated boots that work well and I cna put heavy socks on with them.

 

[PCeBiker]

It's weird though, bring it in the house and I can feel the warmth 2 minutes after being plugged in. In the cold of the shed nothing happens.

Try it in the shed again, but lay it on a blanket, then lay another blanket on top, then check the temperature.

You've still got 45 Watts of heat but you want the heat to go into the frame where the battery is, not into your shed.

I have ordered a 100W tubular heater and I can place that fairly close to the frame as it is balanced against the wall.

You're still going to have the same problem where most of the heat will radiate into the shed instead of into the frame/battery.
You'll have to put the heater right on the frame, then wrap it up.

I've actually got my 70 Watt heating pad on the floor in front of my chair, and it heats my feet better than my 1,500 Watt electric heater.
The heater just blows all its heat into the room.