Electrical storage device heater for vehicle

A battery heater system for a vehicle, comprising:

• an external power source;
• a battery system that is powered by said external power source, wherein said battery system includes a battery cell, a heater that selectively heats said battery cell, and a switch that selectively couples said heater to said external power source;
• a controller that controls the operation of said heater by selectively operating said switch to couple said heater to said external power source, wherein said controller is powered by a second power source that is separate from said external power source;
• and
• an engine block heater that is coupled to said battery system and is powered by said external power source, wherein said engine block heater and said battery system are connected to said battery system through a single connector.

A method for controlling a battery heater system for a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• checking whether a key is in a vehicle ignition of the vehicle;
• checking a temperature of the battery heater system;
• checking whether the battery heater system is receiving an AC/DC active signal;
• closing a switch to heat a battery cell of the battery heater system if the temperature of the battery heater system falls below a temperature threshold;
• opening the switch to stop heating the battery cell of the battery heater system if the temperature of the battery heater system is above the temperature threshold;
• and
• periodically awakening from a sleep mode to re-check the temperature of the battery heater system.