A method and apparatus maintain the temperature of a automobile battery
within a predetermined temperature range even though the ambient
temperature is outside of the predetermined temperature range. The
apparatus and the method utilize a thermoelectric device that provides
lower temperatures on one surface and higher temperature on another
surface thereof in response to the direction of an electrical current
passing through the device. The thermoelectric device is thermally
coupled by a fan, air ducts and a heat transfer structure between the
automobile battery and the ambient atmosphere. An electrical circuit
having a heat sensor is thermally coupled to the automobile battery and
selectively controls the current through the thermoelectric device to
maintain the temperature of the automobile battery within the
predetermined temperature range.