Rats and $37.50
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: AZ
Rats and $37.50
I just got back from a 2500 mile trip...left my camper in New Mexico and drove back to Nevada with the bed full of solar panels (got 16.8 mpg at 70mph all the way home, btw...don't think the solar panels helped much
). Anyway, as soon as I get back to the ranch, it is a cold night. The following day I open the hood to check everything (leaving to go back to New Mexico soon) and I notice the battery blanket on the passenger side is completely shredded! I knew immediately that some varmit had made a nest with it and looked in the engine valley...sure enough, ma rat had made a nest and was taking up residence! So I prod her out and then fish out the remains of the battery blanket.
Yesterday, I go to Reno and visit the dealer
. "Say, give me one of those battery blanket thingies for my PSD", says I. Parts "guru" says "We have to order it and it will cost you $37.50...in advance" !!!!!
So, my question is...Any ideas on replacement other than stock? I'm thinking of Dynamat applied to the battery directly...What do you all think?
). Anyway, as soon as I get back to the ranch, it is a cold night. The following day I open the hood to check everything (leaving to go back to New Mexico soon) and I notice the battery blanket on the passenger side is completely shredded! I knew immediately that some varmit had made a nest with it and looked in the engine valley...sure enough, ma rat had made a nest and was taking up residence! So I prod her out and then fish out the remains of the battery blanket. Yesterday, I go to Reno and visit the dealer
. "Say, give me one of those battery blanket thingies for my PSD", says I. Parts "guru" says "We have to order it and it will cost you $37.50...in advance" !!!!!So, my question is...Any ideas on replacement other than stock? I'm thinking of Dynamat applied to the battery directly...What do you all think?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
That price doesn't seem all that bad.
And I can understand the dealer wanting the money up front. I have a large cache of special order parts at my shop that I cannot return or get paid for. Customers coming in and asking me to get a part and then they never return my calls.
I do the same thing now - require pre-payment. And in some cases, it's "all sales are final". No returns.
And I can understand the dealer wanting the money up front. I have a large cache of special order parts at my shop that I cannot return or get paid for. Customers coming in and asking me to get a part and then they never return my calls.
I do the same thing now - require pre-payment. And in some cases, it's "all sales are final". No returns.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,243
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From: AZ
Originally Posted by Kwikkordead
That price doesn't seem all that bad.
And I can understand the dealer wanting the money up front. I have a large cache of special order parts at my shop that I cannot return or get paid for. Customers coming in and asking me to get a part and then they never return my calls.
I do the same thing now - require pre-payment. And in some cases, it's "all sales are final". No returns.
And I can understand the dealer wanting the money up front. I have a large cache of special order parts at my shop that I cannot return or get paid for. Customers coming in and asking me to get a part and then they never return my calls.
I do the same thing now - require pre-payment. And in some cases, it's "all sales are final". No returns.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,250
Likes: 42
might want to hunt in some local junk yards. good thing you checked with the dealer first, cuz a lot of times the junk yard will want more. doesnt hurt to try though. that and fleabay.
Like this part, lots o money at the dealer. not too bad on fleabay:
8058569183
Like this part, lots o money at the dealer. not too bad on fleabay:
8058569183
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
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Can anyone tell me the purpose of the battery blanket/wrap? My truck has one on the passenger side only, but I'm not sure if that's how all are or if mine's just missing the driver side one. I don't really see any purpose to them. Maybe to keep them warm at night so they don't shiver?
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Rio Rico, AZ.
Originally Posted by ryaneverk2
Can anyone tell me the purpose of the battery blanket/wrap? My truck has one on the passenger side only, but I'm not sure if that's how all are or if mine's just missing the driver side one. I don't really see any purpose to them. Maybe to keep them warm at night so they don't shiver?
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2004
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...like in the bed. I'm planning to move mine there.
Several benefits:
Open up space in the engine compartment.
Get batteries into cool air - where they SHOULD be for longevity.
take 90 pounds from in FRONT of the front wheels and put it BEHIND the rear wheels. That has to help balance that big lump of iron just a little bit!
Several benefits:
Open up space in the engine compartment.
Get batteries into cool air - where they SHOULD be for longevity.
take 90 pounds from in FRONT of the front wheels and put it BEHIND the rear wheels. That has to help balance that big lump of iron just a little bit!
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,413
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From: Columbia, MO
Originally Posted by Kwikkordead
The battery blanket is there to protect it from getting overheated. Heat is what kills a battery. They last the longest if mounted away from the engine compartment.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 68
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From: North Dakota
I was thinking of using that aluminum foil lined bubble insulation that you can buy at hardware or lumber stores in rolls. I can't think of the name of the product but I've used it to wrap my waterheater and outdoor tanks. I'm sure it could handle the amount of heat that there would be under the hood and protect the battery.
Posting Guru
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Actually, the insulation, as it is put around the batteries, won't prevent them from reaching high temperatures. It will only slow down the speed at which the temperature increases (or decreases). That might help a little, but I can't believe it helps much.
I guess, hypothetically, they (engineers) assumed that the engine would only run for a certain period of time when it is hot out, then it would be shut off - and, of course, underhood temps would start to drop immediately. Problem is, here in SoCal with summer temps exceeding 110 degrees, underhood temps stay high for a long time after shut down. And, if underhood temperatures are still high, the batteries will continue to absorb that heat whether they have an insulating blanket or not.
There are only two solutions - 1) isolate the batteries with sheet metal or plastic and duct air to them so they will be well ventilated, even when underhood temps are high. Or, 2) move them to another location.
I need to move mine before these batteries die, so the new ones will always live in a low-temp environment (well, relatively low, anyway).
I guess, hypothetically, they (engineers) assumed that the engine would only run for a certain period of time when it is hot out, then it would be shut off - and, of course, underhood temps would start to drop immediately. Problem is, here in SoCal with summer temps exceeding 110 degrees, underhood temps stay high for a long time after shut down. And, if underhood temperatures are still high, the batteries will continue to absorb that heat whether they have an insulating blanket or not.
There are only two solutions - 1) isolate the batteries with sheet metal or plastic and duct air to them so they will be well ventilated, even when underhood temps are high. Or, 2) move them to another location.
I need to move mine before these batteries die, so the new ones will always live in a low-temp environment (well, relatively low, anyway).