Quote:
Originally Posted by Rokeby
Just how is it that the heater element gets wrecked?
|
Many electric heating elements are VERY thin wires embedded inside plastic or rubber. Setting something pointed or or sharp, or even just plain heavy with any kind of protrusion from it, can sever the heating wire and break the circuit.
Many batteries have some sort of ridges on the bottom that could dig into the heating material. Think about a bed or desk on carpeting. When you move the item, you can see right where it was, because of the "dent" in the carpet.
As long as the weight is spread out, it's ok, but if you want to run heaters UNDER the batteries, the heater should be recessed or in some other way protected.
I'm no expert of Hybrid Car batteries, but it seems worth experimenting with. My car uses lead-acid batteries, which respond poorly to cold temps. I am not as familiar with how NiMH and other battery types respond to cold.