electric blanket to warm battery?

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Meenie

Junior Member
Feb 4, 2014
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My car won't start (Toyota Rav4). My husband (who is at work) suggested I use an old electric blanket that we don't use on the bed anymore to warm it. Is that safe?
 
master_shake_

master_shake_

Diamond Member
May 22, 2012
6,425
291
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Some cars have the exact same thing on the battery mostly Chrysler.

Put it on low should do it.
 
Zenmervolt

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
24,514
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master_shake_ said:
Some cars have the exact same thing on the battery mostly Chrysler.
Click to expand...

No, they do not.

Some cars have a bit of insulation around the battery, yes, but they do NOT have an "electric blanket" around the battery. That would just be stupid since there's no need to heat the battery when the engine is running, and having an additional drain on the battery when the engine is off would only make the battery die faster. The insulation around batteries in some modern cars is actually to keep the battery cool due to proximity to especially hot areas of the engine in those vehicles.

To the person who asked the original question:

As long as the old electric blanket is not shorted out anywhere and the car is in a garage or the weather is absolutely dry, it should not pose a significant danger to do as your husband suggested. Remember, an electric blanket is not designed for outdoor use and will not be well insulated, electrically, from moisture as a result. So if things are wet, you do run the risk of electrocuting yourself.

Also, this would be a one-time sort of thing that might get a worn-out battery just to the point where it could start the car. It would NOT guarantee that the car would be able to start again once you reached your destination.

ZV
 
master_shake_

master_shake_

Diamond Member
May 22, 2012
6,425
291
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Zenmervolt said:
No, they do not.

Some cars have a bit of insulation around the battery, yes, but they do NOT have an "electric blanket" around the battery. That would just be stupid since there's no need to heat the battery when the engine is running, and having an additional drain on the battery when the engine is off would only make the battery die faster. The insulation around batteries in some modern cars is actually to keep the battery cool due to proximity to especially hot areas of the engine in those vehicles.

To the person who asked the original question:

As long as the old electric blanket is not shorted out anywhere and the car is in a garage or the weather is absolutely dry, it should not pose a significant danger to do as your husband suggested. Remember, an electric blanket is not designed for outdoor use and will not be well insulated, electrically, from moisture as a result. So if things are wet, you do run the risk of electrocuting yourself.

Also, this would be a one-time sort of thing that might get a worn-out battery just to the point where it could start the car. It would NOT guarantee that the car would be able to start again once you reached your destination.

ZV
Click to expand...

well that escalated quickly

anyways....
M82300778.jpg


remove foot from mouth

http://www.autotrucktoys.com/dodge-...odge-Challenger-Battery-Blanket-PRD13747.aspx

see that oe there...that stands for original equipment.

but it doesn't exist [spooky]

also, the cars that have these, the batteries are in the fender... so engine heat is not applicable. thanks for playing.
 
Last edited:
LTC8K6

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
28,520
1,575
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master_shake_ said:
well that escalated quickly

anyways....
M82300778.jpg


remove foot from mouth

http://www.autotrucktoys.com/dodge-...odge-Challenger-Battery-Blanket-PRD13747.aspx

see that oe there...that stands for original equipment.

but it doesn't exist [spooky]

also, the cars that have these, the batteries are in the fender... so engine heat is not applicable. thanks for playing.
Click to expand...

What Chrysler has that available from the factory? OEM doesn't mean it's a factory option.

My Jeep has the battery insulation blanket.
 
master_shake_

master_shake_

Diamond Member
May 22, 2012
6,425
291
121
LTC8K6 said:
What Chrysler has that available from the factory? OEM doesn't mean it's a factory option.

My Jeep has the battery insulation blanket.
Click to expand...

yes from factory, on cars that have the batteries located in the fender.
 
LTC8K6

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
28,520
1,575
126
I don't believe it was a factory option, though.

Not sure how to show that one way or the other.
 
master_shake_

master_shake_

Diamond Member
May 22, 2012
6,425
291
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for the amount of batteries i have replaced in those types of cars the only ones that didn't have a battery warmer had non oem batteries.
 
LTC8K6

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
28,520
1,575
126
master_shake_ said:
for the amount of batteries i have replaced in those types of cars the only ones that didn't have a battery warmer had non oem batteries.
Click to expand...

Who would change the battery and not put the plug in warmer back?

The owner's manual mentions the block heater, but not a battery heater. If it were a factory option, it would normally be mentioned in the owner's manual.

Especially since it's something that is externally powered.
 
LTC8K6

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
28,520
1,575
126
master_shake_ said:
intrepids, sebring, i think concorde...not sure what else...stratus.

apparently gm makes them too http://www.amazon.com/GM-10952544-Ba.../dp/B000FE7IIS

point is they do exist and cars do come with them.

http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results.cfm?partnumber=10952544

cheap too 20 bucks
Click to expand...

No one is dfisputing that plug in battery warmers exist...

The dispute for me is about them being installed at the factory.

I don't think they are. I think they are installed by dealers or owners.
 
LTC8K6

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
28,520
1,575
126
Looks like it was a factory option on the Sebring, since it's covered in the manual. Even there it is only mentioned.

Just because there are battery heaters for sale branded under the mfg name, doesn't mean they were a factory option on their vehicles.
 
Zenmervolt

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
24,514
34
91
master_shake_ said:
well that escalated quickly

anyways....
M82300778.jpg


remove foot from mouth

http://www.autotrucktoys.com/dodge-...odge-Challenger-Battery-Blanket-PRD13747.aspx

see that oe there...that stands for original equipment.

but it doesn't exist [spooky]

also, the cars that have these, the batteries are in the fender... so engine heat is not applicable. thanks for playing.
Click to expand...

A piece of optional equipment fitted to cars for use in severe duty environments is not the same sort of thing that the OP is talking about.

What you have linked is similar to an engine block heater and is used only in severe winter conditions. They are NOT for situations like the OP's where the battery is old and weak and you're trying to get one last start out of it.

The chances of finding these fitted to cars in the lower 48 are slim to none. A few heavy-duty Deisels in Montana and the Dakotas, as part of a severe service or extreme cold weather package, sure, but that's as rare as hen's teeth.

The OP would have to be a paranoid idiot to seek such an option out for her next car given the situation she described.

ZV
 
SpatiallyAware

SpatiallyAware

Lifer
Sep 7, 2009
12,960
3
0
I have an uncle is saskatoon who had a jeep with a (I'm fairly sure) factory battery heater.

It's not for use while the car is running.. There was one plug that powered both the block and battery heater.
 
D

desy

Diamond Member
Jan 13, 2000
5,446
214
106
Yes as a Canadian, lots of vehicles can be got as a manufacturer option with battery blanket or used to anyway.
I'd stick a charger on it before I'd go through the old electric blanket option
 
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