When i recently replaced my OEM battery and installed my new one the seller recomended that I not reinstall the plastic battery cover the vehicle came with. His reasoning was that it trapped heat around the battery which leads to premature battery failure. Does anyone have an opinion on this ???

 

I think his argument is unfounded and speculatory. Ive seen batteries last just as long with or without it. Its really just a trim piece anyway. It doesnt fit tightly enough or insulate enough to do any damage. Now those little colored pads around the pole I always toss in the trash because too many people fail to fully seat the terminal ends with them there creating more problems than good.


The only reason I can think of to discard the trim panel is if they sold you the wrong battery and it didnt fit the new one.

 

The battery I bought (Douglas Gold 775) has the same case size as the battery that came out of it (Motorcraft BXT 65-650) - both BCI #65.

On the battery cover it warns to always replace the cover after servicing the battery. That leads me to believe that the cover has an intended function other than simply cleaning up tghe look of the engine compartment .. no ??

 

Does it cover the terminals? If so, I would think it's an extra measure of safety in case a wrench or something would accidently fall across the terminals.

 

no it does not. There are 2 separate plastic covers - 1 each for the negative and positive terminal to cover that eventuality. The battery cover has holes in it to allow the terminals to poke through. Its not a hi tech piece of gear - I just dont know wether or not to bother putting it back on or if there is any vailidity to what the battery salesman told me.

One further question - does anyone know the RC (reserve capacity) of the stock battery that came out of the vehicle (Motorcraft BXT 65 - 650) I cant seem to find that information anywhere ?

 

I would say it doesn't matter whether you put it back or not. If a battery overheats, it does shorten the life of the battery, but that happens at tempuratures near 125 F, and I doubt the little plastic cover is going to trap that much heat. If it was me, I would just decide if it looks better with or without the cover, because looks is about all that cover is good for.

 

Could be the the little plastic piece is supposed to block heat from the engine, but I agree, probably isn't making any difference either way.

 

thanks everyone

now can anyone help me with the stockers reserve capacity?

 

the plastic battery covers are installed to help contain the acid in case there is a sudden loss of battery fluid. (for instance if your battery explodes, or if you are in an accident and the battery is violently punctured). It points the lost battery fluid straight down onto the fenderwell area instead of potentially splashing onto the engine/engine wiring (or into your eyes if you happen to be there when the battery lets go).

I've never had it happen to me and i have never personally observed a battery blowup but i leave the plastic cover in place as a free, just in case safety measure.

I agree with Homer, i dont think the battery cover will prolong or shorten battery life.

 

I have never been around an exploding battery either, but it does happen. My Dad was standing next to one when it let go on his farm tractor. He now puts a small piece of plywood bolted over the top of it. I forgot about this till you guys mentioned it.

 

Hmm... I'd say thats kinda important information... lol

Batteries usually blow up when you are trying to do a jump start and a spark occurs. Batteries produce hydrogen gas whenever they charge and if there happens to be some still hanging around when the spark occurs... well, see the illustration above... That's why they tell you to first clip your positive clamp on and then clip the negative clamp grounded metal AWAY from the battery. Of course what do we all do? Clip them both on the battery and maybe scrape it around a little cause the sparks look cool. Kinda like this -->

 

well then back on it goes ...

 

Yeah, the covers are there for safety sake. One of the biggest reason the covers are used is in case of a roll over the cover keeps the battery from creating a dead short, preventing a melt down and fire.

 

Motorweek's Pat Goss ran a spot specifically addressing not removing any shield around the battery because they are designed to among other things protect against heat from the engine as well as channel the corrosive gase. Here is the link:

http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/goss/2322.shtml

 

I would like to know what kind of "corrosive gases" are produced by a battery, because the only gas I know a battery produces is hydrogen, and thats not corrosive.