Vented Battery Box...

[Jeepwalker]

I was doing something in the engine compartment the other day. I've always been somewhat curious what the thought-process was by the engineers on the vented battery box? Obviously it cost more to implement. I think it's a cool accessory, but I wonder how useful it really is?

I suppose in hot climates it *could* possibly lower temperature a few degrees IF a vehicle is moving forward at a certain rate of speed. But is there THAT much heat thrown off by the I-5? And how much air is really flowing past/around the battery?

For off-roading where a driver is going slow for long periods, maybe it does reject some heat radiated from the engine, and allows some cooler air to enter. But it wouldn't seem like it would cool it that much at slow speeds.

In very low winter temperatures, it probably works in the wrong direction where you normally want to keep the battery warm. If a guy stored the vehicle in a house garage that maintained a temperature of, say, 45-50 deg. Then going down the road in the morning would cool the battery off much faster. Many vehicles in the N. up here have an insulated pad formed around the battery. My truck has that (stock). It's almost like the battery is installed inside a padded lunchbox...lol, to keep the battery warmer.

Or maybe it 'looked cool' and helped gave it the overland off-road look?

What are your thoughts? (I'm not planning to remove mine btw)

 

[650Hawk]

Good question. The air "hose" from the grille area to the battery cover looks kinda cool, but I really doubt it has much, if any, effect.

 

[alrock]

Many vehicles in the N. up here have an insulated pad formed around the battery. My truck has that (stock). It's almost like the battery is installed inside a padded lunchbox...lol, to keep the battery warmer.

Is the wrap to keep the battery warmer, or to help protect it from the heat of the engine? Heat kills batteries more than cold does. With cold they don't hold a charge as well but with heat they break down more quickly.

 

[Jeepwalker]

Mmmm I don't know. Good question. It probably does both and neither ..depending how a guy drives, and where he lives. If an owner parks inside a warmer garage during the cold winter, it'll keep the battery warmer longer. But if ya park out in the driveway overnight, it wouldn't make any difference at all. It may help keep radiated engine heat away, but in the case of Ram 1500's, that battery is pretty far from the engine, next to the Pass fender. I doubt much engine heat reaches it as you're driving down the road. But I suppose if you live in a hot region, it probably does shield some heat away during the a hot summer day, esp while idling. You'd think if it was a cold or warm weather thing, it would be part of a cold or warm weather kit, instead of all Rams.. That's what got me wondering on the H3 ...how effective it was. From what I can see on internet scans, the Toyota Tundra and Tacoma don't use battery covers or insulating pads. Neither do the Nissan Titan, FJ's or Raptor. Vented Battery box looks cool on the H3 though!!

Ram battery cover:

 

[Jeepwalker]

Speaking of that, I just nestled a brand new battery in the battery box tonight. Getting ready for winter. I went with a GP34 dual post battery (I have a bunch of GM vehicles too). Just fit perfect in the box. 800CCA I have gotten 9 and almost 10 yrs out of the Platinum battery. I guess i better put a date on the side to remember when it was installed. Where we live, and the winters we get, batteries tend to last a long time. Now I need to focus on getting new meats...

 

[Schwarttzy]

Haven't had that tube in my H3 for years now. Had to make room for the winch mount.

 

[JPaul]

It is interesting considering the I5's exhaust is on the other side of the engine bay, so it's not like it is immediately next to a heat source other than the engine. But yes, I'm pretty sure the design was to help keep the battery cool. After moving out west I ended up replacing batteries almost once a year on my older vehicles until I went with an Optima yellow top. Now I won't use anything other than an AGM since they do better with the heat.

 

[Schwarttzy]

It is interesting considering the I5's exhaust is on the other side of the engine bay, so it's not like it is immediately next to a heat source other than the engine. But yes, I'm pretty sure the design was to help keep the battery cool. After moving out west I ended up replacing batteries almost once a year on my older vehicles until I went with an Optima yellow top. Now I won't use anything other than an AGM since they do better with the heat.

I've had my AGM battery for many years now and not one issue so far.

 

[alrock]

Batteries last ~2 years in Phoenix. I was hoping AGMs would last longer but I don't think they do, or at least not measurably longer. I put in new AGM batteries Dec 2017, Jan 2020, Nov 2021.

 

[Jeepwalker]

Yeah the heat really kills a battery. But you guys have all the fun in the sun (and close wheeling!!). They do tend to last a long time up in the N, (if it's a good batt to start with) ...and doesn't run low, but we pay for it in other ways (damn rust!!).

Speaking of battery life, check this out: I pulled this out of a skid loader 2 days ago. Finally gave up the ghost. I was amazed, 14 years old to the month! It pretty much just died at once, from old age. The Interstate guy confirmed its age (and I know the P/O who replaced it). I meant to replace it last fall, but I got lazy, LOL. I knew it was on borrowed time. I attribute some of it's long life to 1) how much S/S's vibrate, bc some commercial machine batteries do tend to last a long time. 2) Never much in the heat. 3) No parasitic drain, it never went low ...and I put a Battery Minder on it every so often to keep it topped off. 4) Good initial build quality ...and of course, 5) good luck! We'll see how the next one performs.

 

[H3Hummer]

I still have my Optima Yellow, no issues