Operating hydraulics in freezing temperatures

[RayF59]

I am trying to prepare for a trip to Texas from Minnesota and last night went down to 10 degrees. Just now, after installing warm batteries and having the unit plugged in to electric, I tried to operate the landing gear and just got a loud noise from the hydraulic pump. It was a steady noise like it was operating but louder than normal. The leveling rams were not moving. Tried both front and rear operating separately with no luck. The front compartment of my 310-GK is not heated. Do I need to put a heater in there to try to warm up the hydraulics?

 

[Scott'n'Wendy]

Hydraulics do hate cold temps. But usually just operate slowly, not stop. Heat will help.

 

[RayF59]

Turns out that when I installed my golf cart batteries I forgot to install the crossover wire so the hydraulic pump was trying to run off of the charging unit which I'm sure is not designed to put out that many amps. Another live and learn lesson.

Texas here we come!!

 

[triplethreat]

Turns out that when I installed my golf cart batteries I forgot to install the crossover wire so the hydraulic pump was trying to run off of the charging unit which I'm sure is not designed to put out that many amps. Another live and learn lesson.

Texas here we come!!

It might be worthwhile to check the converter/charger and make sure that it's still working. It is likely a 55 amp unit, and the hydraulic pump will pull upwards of 70A when running.....and even more than that when things are as cold as where you are/were. It doesn't take too long to burn up the converter/charger.

 

[RickandJack]

I put a battery warmer around my oil tank and it heats the oil enough that the hyd work used it at 25 below