I'm wondering if battery systems that come with built-in heaters still require insulation to prevent voltage or capacity issues during the colder winter months. I'm using Fogstar ESR Batteries that are rated for temperatures as low as -20°C, but here in the UK, we typically don't reach such low temperatures.
2 Answers
You generally don't need to insulate if you're only facing mild temperatures, but it’s important to note that charging these batteries in freezing conditions isn’t a great idea. Discharging should be fine though!
Having an insulated box can definitely help reduce the frequency at which the heaters need to operate. This means less energy loss due to parasitic effects, which is a win for maintaining battery health.
What happens if you charge them in freezing temps? I've only encountered down to -6°C for a day, which was brutal, and there wasn't any chance for solar charging then.