Fogstar Drift Heaters

[OldAgeTravellers]

We have two 280ah Fogstar Drift batteries in parallel although they show up in the app as 305ah each. I thought the heaters came on when trying to charge below 5 degrees. But last night my batteries were at 66% when we stopped for the night. This morning they were at 41% but even though it was 3 degrees outside and the batteries are in an outside locker they were at 12 degrees this morning. I can only assume that they had switched their heaters on over night to protect themselves when the temperature must have gone below zero. Although we were not drawing anything overnight. We were near Boulogne in France by the way in a pea souper.
Any ideas or more info on the operation of the heaters?

 

[Jim]

Any ideas or more info on the operation of the heaters?

I'm almost sure they will only heat from the incoming charge current. So that warming function shouldn't deplete your battery.

 

[olley]

That's what I understand as well.

 

[AdrianChen]

I thought they only activate when there is a charge source so they wouldn't draw from the battery - I would be put off from buying them if not. They should be good to -2o for discharge without heaters. Thats how the "user manual" describes them.....

Doubt the heaters would use 100+ah.

Found it:
How does the heater work in the batteries?
The Drift heating pads are only activated when the battery is being charged, and are only powered by the incoming charge current, not the battery itself. If you put the battery on charge, it will heat the battery first, and then allow current through to the battery when the temperature is safe enough to do

 

[OldAgeTravellers]

Thanks all for the replies, that’s exactly how I thought it should work, will see what happens tonight. I will make a point of checking the charge and drain tonight. But we are 500km further south now so a lot warmer tonight, I hope. Spain by tomorrow night I hope.

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[OldAgeTravellers]

Right, following your replies and we have stopped and had dinner, I have now investigated and found a 15A discharge. Checked everything and found that the fridge had accidentally been switched to 12 volt. Put it to gas and 15A now gone. It is so easy to jump to conclusions with unexpected faults.
Thanks for your help sorting my head out. Surprised how warm the batteries are keeping, one at 18deg one at 21deg in an outside locker.

 

[AdrianChen]

Right, following your replies and we have stopped and had dinner, I have now investigated and found a 15A discharge. Checked everything and found that the fridge had accidentally been switched to 12 volt. Put it to gas and 15A now gone. It is so easy to jump to conclusions with unexpected faults.
Thanks for your help sorting my head out. Surprised how warm the batteries are keeping, one at 18deg one at 21deg in an outside locker.

Charging them with your b2b should warm them up, especialy if they reach absorption. Even on the very weak solar we're getting they can go up 4-5degrees during the day....