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Probably overkill but....

FznHydroGT

FznHydroGT

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Hey all,

Looking to get ya'lls thoughts here

Recently got into my new to me ram, been busy getting it ready for winter here in MN. Bed cover, rear wheel well liners, replaced the original H7 battery (dated 2021) with a new interstate H8 AGM. Got the larger battery cover for it.

Due to have a 2 car garage my wife's jeep and my summer baby in slumber are taking up spaces so truck will be parked outside.

I'm considering adding a block heater, battery warmer, and NOCO battery tender to plug it in when things get brutal. I know it's not REQUIRED by any means but I feel bad leaving it out all winter. Want to do something to ease cold starts.

Thoughts?
 
How often do you drive the truck? If it's a daily driver, probably don't need the battery tender or battery heater. IMO. Block heater will really only help with getting warm air out the vents sooner.
 
HSKR R/T said:
How often do you drive the truck? If it's a daily driver, probably don't need the battery tender or battery heater. IMO. Block heater will really only help with getting warm air out the vents sooner.
Click to expand...
I have a several days on several off kinda schedule so it'll get driven regularly but maybe a few days in between at times
 
Unless it’s super cold and you’re going a week or more at a time, frequently, I wouldn’t bother.
A few days sitting here or there isn’t going to do much.
 
Especially with a new battery. Don't leave any accessories plugged in that could drain it. If you are really concerned, get some small battery tender that you could run a cord to. 1.25 amps or more, but not more than 3-4 amps. Tenders are in the .75-2 amp range usually, even that's overkill unless you get into a real cold spell.
Something like this maybe: (I don't own one but they are pretty well reviewed)

NOCO GENIUS2D, 2A Direct-Mount Onboard Car Battery Charger, 12V Automotive Charger, Battery Maintainer, Trickle Charger, Float Charger and Desulfator for Marine, ATV, Truck and Deep Cycle Batteries​

4.7 out of 5 stars
8,745 reviews
$39.95
 
Willwork4truck said:
Especially with a new battery. Don't leave any accessories plugged in that could drain it. If you are really concerned, get some small battery tender that you could run a cord to. 1.25 amps or more, but not more than 3-4 amps. Tenders are in the .75-2 amp range usually, even that's overkill unless you get into a real cold spell.
Something like this maybe: (I don't own one but they are pretty well reviewed)

NOCO GENIUS2D, 2A Direct-Mount Onboard Car Battery Charger, 12V Automotive Charger, Battery Maintainer, Trickle Charger, Float Charger and Desulfator for Marine, ATV, Truck and Deep Cycle Batteries​

4.7 out of 5 stars
8,745 reviews
$39.95
Click to expand...
Yup I have NOCO tenders they are great. Different modes for specific battery types, and alot of built in protections.
 
Last edited:
Well I tend to side with caution. So I got it all installed. I was able to talk the shop into routing the cable for the block heater to the drivers side so now all the plugs come together right between the battery and fuse box into a 3 way plug splitter so all I have to do is pop the hood plug my extension I have routed off my garage into the 3 way splitter and all 3 things are powered.

I don't have the battery warmer plugged in right now though I'll reserve that for extra cold days. I'll post some pictures of everything if anyone is interested in that. It's a tight fit but everything worked out.

I didn't mention before but I also put a vibration pad under the battery when I installed the H8 battery. Supposed to help with vibrations and shock.
 
I added a dimable wifi-outlet to my extension cord where the block heater is plugged in. This means I can idle the block heater or turn off during warm hours and go 100% an hour before jumping in. Also means I'm not spending 1.2KW (1200watts) anytime the block heater is plugged in. I'm not sure if mine is faulty or if this is by design. I always assumed the block heater would simply kick off at some temperature... It does not. 100% - 1200 watts (10 amps) all the time.
This one works really well. Make sure you get the dimmable option: $26 USD Amazon.com
 
tc0nn said:
I added a dimable wifi-outlet to my extension cord where the block heater is plugged in. This means I can idle the block heater or turn off during warm hours and go 100% an hour before jumping in. Also means I'm not spending 1.2KW (1200watts) anytime the block heater is plugged in. I'm not sure if mine is faulty or if this is by design. I always assumed the block heater would simply kick off at some temperature... It does not. 100% - 1200 watts (10 amps) all the time.
This one works really well. Make sure you get the dimmable option: $26 USD Amazon.com
Click to expand...
That's only rated for 300w and you're pushing 4* that through it....
 
I have a NOCO, and mine sits for several days at a time. Still on OEM battery which is 5 years old now, and it's just now starting to be sluggish on startup. Obviously my winters aren't as bad as yours, but it sits for several days below 25F (now for example), and I've never used a tender or anything else. Outside 24/7/365.
 
Scap said:
That's only rated for 300w and you're pushing 4* that through it....
Click to expand...
That would suck if it were true. Somebody messed up the specs in the Amazon listing for the dimmable unit. If you go to the others it states "Max Load 15A/1875W". Actually, it depends on the model. Looks like they've got several versions. I better go check my model, although I've had this one for a couple years now and never had any problems. I'll smoke to test it to be sure!
 
FznHydroGT said:
Well I tend to side with caution. So I got it all installed. I was able to talk the shop into routing the cable for the block heater to the drivers side so now all the plugs come together right between the battery and fuse box into a 3 way plug splitter so all I have to do is pop the hood plug my extension I have routed off my garage into the 3 way splitter and all 3 things are powered.

I don't have the battery warmer plugged in right now though I'll reserve that for extra cold days. I'll post some pictures of everything if anyone is interested in that. It's a tight fit but everything worked out.

I didn't mention before but I also put a vibration pad under the battery when I installed the H8 battery. Supposed to help with vibrations and shock.
Click to expand...
You missed one thing, an interior pre-heater... Pretty common back in Finland.
https://www.amazon.com/Zerostart-26...=car+interior+preheater&qid=1737502175&sr=8-8
 
Last edited:
Running 1200 watts. it does get hot! Thanks for pointing that out. Now running 240 watts (20%) max.
 
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