Starter Battery Heat Shield? (2 Viewers)

[TeCKis300]

Interesting thing I've noticed a couple times now. I have a larger Group 31 starting battery. Old habit of watering lead acid batteries from my camper. I've noticed consistently that the water level on the cell closest to the motor is lower than the other cells.

For normal commuting, this is probably not a significant factor. As I do offroad crawl and camp a lot more than most, in the southwest desert, engine bay temps can really spike, over 160° F these use cases. I'm wondering if the relatively higher heat exposure on the side of the battery closest to the radiator and motor can be a factor in the overall life of the battery. I'm beginning to think so.

Since I've been insulating the fuel system to keep fuel boiling at bay, I have insulating wrap on hand. Can't hurt to put some insulation on that side. Easy as cutting a 7" x 9" self sticking piece and stuck it on.

For those with AGMs, this might be even more important as they can be more susceptible to heat.

 

[2021 LC200]

Nice. I installed in 2022 this battery "heat shield" and have topped up once with distilled water. I hope it will last beyond 4 years. My factory build was 10/2020 and I started driving it late Nov 2020. We will see. I will try to remember when I need to replace and report back here.

PPE Battery Heat Shield - Top Post

Check out the deal on PPE Battery Heat Shield - Top Post at Diesel Power Products

www.dieselpowerproducts.com

 

[2021 LC200]

Something made out of aluminum for engine and driver side (bended into an L shape) would potentially be even nicer, keeping front and side open. Just have to be real careful with the positive side of the battery when you do.

12 in. x 24 in. Plain Aluminum Sheet in Silver

 

[aM200]

If it helps, this is what Honda now does on the Type R. I thought it was neat when I first popped the hood.

 

[2021 LC200]

If it helps, this is what Honda now does on the Type R. I thought it was neat when I first popped the hood.

View attachment 3749417

Do you know if there is a aluminum layer in there? Black otherwise does not seem the ideal color to reflect radiation heat.

 

[aM200]

Do you know if there is a aluminum layer in there? Black otherwise does not seem the ideal color to reflect radiation heat.

Hard to say, but it's black on both sides. There's a decent amount of insulation in it though. I'm guessing they are less concerned with radiant heat and it's more about convection with all the hot air in the engine bay.

 

[bloc]

If it helps, this is what Honda now does on the Type R. I thought it was neat when I first popped the hood.

View attachment 3749417

VW has been doing this for a long time, no foil layer but something like a fiberglass mat. And as I understand it engine bay temps are part of why many other european cars put the battery in the trunk.. but also weight distribution and engine bay packaging.

 

[TeCKis300]

Yup, have seen these heat shields in other OEMs. I figure Toyota would have installed one if it were necessary, but leave it to the modders (me) to screw up things that are delicately balanced. The Group 31 is at least 1" wider and closer to the heat sources.

The OEM AGMs I've seen are usually in a separate partition from the engine bay? as they are more sensitive to heat.

 

[TeCKis300]

Just have to be real careful with the positive side of the battery when you do.

This deserves a bigger highlight. I don't want anyone to have any accidents with shorts as it's a very real possibility with how exposed some of these aftermarket terminal setups are.

Speaking of aluminum shields, @gluaisrothai did some fine work making a high end heat shield solution for a lithium battery

Engine Bay Temp Data Logging Thread

There was some discussion in the the 'what have you done this week' thread regarding the temperature impact to Li batteries mounted under the hood. I currently have an X2Power AGM in the Slee bracket. I mounted a little data logger to the engine side battery terminal just to see what was going...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Sandroad]

Those of us who have owned 80 series trucks remember when the battery had its own cozy spot isolated from the fray. That seems to me the best way to moderate battery temps. Batteries are made of a series of cells that IMHO should be close to the same temperature, since charging and discharging are chemical reactions affected by temperature. If I were to do anything, I’d make an 80 like enclosure for the whole battery made out of plastic.

 

[2021 LC200]

Those of us who have owned 80 series trucks remember when the battery had its own cozy spot isolated from the fray. That seems to me the best way to moderate battery temps. Batteries are made of a series of cells that IMHO should be close to the same temperature, since charging and discharging are chemical reactions affected by temperature. If I were to do anything, I’d make an 80 like enclosure for the whole battery made out of plastic.

Yep, that is also thanks to the beauty of the inline six with a lot more access itself as well. I wish the 200 series had an inline 6 turbo diesel without DPF/NOX system. That would be perfect in my book. Reason I say is that inline sixes have all the moving masses perfectly balanced. When one piston goes up, another one goes down. When one push rod goes left and another one goes right. Perfect solution. Next best is a V12 (= 2 x I-6) or perhaps a radial engine...

 

[KLF]

This is actually a good idea to consider.

FWIW many public service vehicles (police, fire, etc) have battery blankets to keep them warm while parked, and to keep them cool while running for long periods while stationary. Amazon sells several flavors.

The engine bay in my Miata is very cramped up front and the battery sits inside an isolated box with a cover.

 

[Boston Mangler]

Youre Welcome:

31L x 9H INDUCTION HOOD SCOOP

Overall Dimensions: 31 " L x 14 " W x 9 " H Opening Dimensions: 12" x 3"Comes with unfinished seam as shown in pictures.Material: hand laid fiberglass with gray surface gelcoat.MADE IN USAPRICE INCLUDES SHIPPING

racescoops.com

 

[hoser]

Yup, have seen these heat shields in other OEMs. I figure Toyota would have installed one if it were necessary, but leave it to the modders (me) to screw up things that are delicately balanced. The Group 31 is at least 1" wider and closer to the heat sources.

The OEM AGMs I've seen are usually in a separate partition from the engine bay? as they are more sensitive to heat.

I have an Odyssey MJT (Metal Jacket). It can be removed (with care) and transferred to subsequent batteries.

Odyssey lists operating range:

• AGM batteries without a metal jacket: Can operate in temperatures from -40ºF (-40ºC) to 140ºF (60ºC)
• AGM batteries with a metal jacket: Can operate in temperatures from -40ºF (-40ºC) to 176ºF (80ºC)

I also see the metal jacket available separately from Full River Battery which might fit other Group 31 batteries.

Shop FT1100 Metal Jacket from Fullriver Battery

Our Metal Jackets help to keep batteries cool when high temperatures are in play, such as long-term idling, off-road usage, or racing. Made from durable

fullriverbattery.com

 

[supercarrera]

I just ordered this of amazon. I'll see how it goes and report back.

 

[Willie G]

Youre Welcome:

31L x 9H INDUCTION HOOD SCOOP

Overall Dimensions: 31 " L x 14 " W x 9 " H Opening Dimensions: 12" x 3"Comes with unfinished seam as shown in pictures.Material: hand laid fiberglass with gray surface gelcoat.MADE IN USAPRICE INCLUDES SHIPPING

racescoops.com

Pics or it didn't happen.