Voltage 12.1 this morning...

[parkranger]

https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/absorbent_glass_mat_agm

According to this and other sources, AGM batteries have a very low internal resistance and fast recharge rate as long as they are not allowed to get hot or be overcharged. Seems they like to be kept at a lower volts/cell in hot weather, and higher in colder weather.

This might explain the different Volt readings folks get for a "charged" battery and would suggest those who unplug the BMS plug (to disable auto stall- n- start) will damage their batteries on a long drive from constant overcharging.

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[P. A. Schilke]

https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/absorbent_glass_mat_agm

According to this and other sources, AGM batteries have a very low internal resistance and fast recharge rate as long as they are not allowed to get hot or be overcharged. Seems they like to be kept at a lower volts/cell in hot weather, and higher in colder weather.

This might explain the different Volt readings folks get for a "charged" battery and would suggest those who unplug the BMS plug (to disable auto stall- n- start) will damage their batteries on a long drive from constant overcharging.

Hi Robert,

We has another saying at Ford Light Truck Engineering. Expert. Ex is a "has been" and spurt is a "drip under presssure"...... ?

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[parkranger]

Hi Robert,

We has another saying at Ford Light Truck Engineering. Expert. Ex is a "has been" and spurt is a "drip under presssure"...... ?

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

Wait, am I the drippy one in this scenario? LOL

 

[Rp930]

Do a search on smart or controlled charging. There are benefits to controlled charging found on Ford Ranger and a lot of other makes. More power, better mileage and longer battery life. These systems can also raise the idle speed if charging is inadequate at idle for instance.

I really don’t think Ford would do anything that might cause more battery warranty claims.

 

[parkranger]

Do a search on smart or controlled charging. There are benefits to controlled charging found on Ford Ranger and a lot of other makes. More power, better mileage and longer battery life. These systems can also raise the idle speed if charging is inadequate at idle for instance.

I really don’t think Ford would do anything that might cause more battery warranty claims.

I agree, and I personally will be leaving the charging system alone on my truck. I feel for the few that had to have their batteries replaced as even under warranty it's disappointing and inconvenient ?

I will use the Fordpass app to schedule a start or three if I ever have to leave it parked for more than a week or so.

 

[JimJa]

Do you have a source for this information?

Go to any AGM battery supplier on line and dig around in their spec sheet. In some AGM batteries the internal resistance is significant. Others are much better.

Have no data about the "plug" that makes the charging system on our Rangers charge like the "old style" charging but that may be done by Ford to prevent too rapid of a charge of the AGM battery in our trucks..

 

[LurchOR]

- Generally speaking, an AGM battery has higher internal resistance than a full-float battery. Do not give an AGM battery a "farmer's charge." That means, don't throw on a charger and crank up charging amps to 30-40.

Go to any AGM battery supplier on line and dig around in their spec sheet. In some AGM batteries the internal resistance is significant. Others are much better.

No need for spec sheets, just look at the description paragraph of nearly any article/paper about AGM batteries. Usually the first attribute mentioned is the low internal resistance of the battery relative to flooded lead acid cells. Now given that there are different formulations and manufacturers for different applications - start vs standby - I'm not at all surprised that internal resistance varies.
I do concur with your cautions about charge voltage. No cheap chargers on these batteries! I personally wouldn't maintenance float them higher than 13.2V to 13.5V in warmer weather. And by maintenance float I mean leaving it on a trickle charger for days/weeks.

 

[THLONE]

Hello, it is a 12 volt battery.

 

[JesseS]

The BMS (battery management system) on the Ranger is set to charge the AGM battery to 70% before dropping into float mode. I think this is very conservative as it limits the amount of reserve capacity available for use. You can use ForScan to change this setting. 90% would still be a safe limit as far as battery life is concerned but provide 20% more capacity. The charge voltage for AGM is higher than for LA batteries but only by .8 volts, but drops quickly as the DOD decreases. Unlike Lithium batteries which are CV/CC (constant voltage/constant current). I let my truck sit in the garage for 2 weeks while on a trip and was notified via FordPass that it was going into deep sleep due to low battery. If the Ranger has so many parasitic power draws that is will lower battery capacity to the point of shutting down in 2 weeks then setting the max charge at 70% is counter productive IMHO.

disclaimer: I am by no means a battery chemistry expert, but I do install RV LiFePo4 Solar charging and inverter systems on the side.

 

[JimJa]

No need for spec sheets, just look at the description paragraph of nearly any article/paper about AGM batteries. Usually the first attribute mentioned is the low internal resistance of the battery relative to flooded lead acid cells. Now given that there are different formulations and manufacturers for different applications - start vs standby - I'm not at all surprised that internal resistance varies.
I do concur with your cautions about charge voltage. No cheap chargers on these batteries! I personally wouldn't maintenance float them higher than 13.2V to 13.5V in warmer weather. And by maintenance float I mean leaving it on a trickle charger for days/weeks.

Allow a personal story. Living in San Diego at the time. New AGM battery. Went to where I now reside permanently for 5 months. Returned to find the new battery had discharged to the point it would not start the car. Charged it and drove the car for awhile before putting it away. A week later it would not start the car...again. Went to Batteries Plus, where I bought the battery, and was told that a very slowly discharged (clock/radio presets/etc) AGM battery would not recover. I asked about a maintenance charger. He took me in the back and showed me 32 batteries in parallel connected to one Del-Trans 750MA charger. I have kept a battery "alive" for 16 years on a Del-Trans 750MA charger. Unlike the cheaper units you can buy at some places, the Del-Trans unit will go into a stand-by mode once the battery reaches some level of charge. The always on trickle chargers are not good for a battery long term. I have them for everything with a quick disconnect fitting that comes with the Del-Trans: ATVs, RS, home generator, and so on. FYI, a battery will "gas" at amperage greater than 1.5 amps. That's why maintenance chargers are typically 1.25 and below

 

[JesseS]

Only flooded batteries will gas to any degree, AGM's will not gas on a 2AH trickle charger as they have no free liquid in them. Most modern trickle chargers will go into 'float' mode when the battery voltage reaches 13.8V, thus preventing any gassing. Any LA battery with a DOD of 50% is toast in most cases, and AGM's are even more sensitive to a low DOD. One reason I switched to Lithium for most things, they can go down to 10% without damage. But never allow a Lithium with a BMS to go dead, as then the BMS will also be dead and will not 'wake up' to charge the battery.

 

[JimJa]

Only flooded batteries will gas to any degree, AGM's will not gas on a 2AH trickle charger as they have no free liquid in them. Most modern trickle chargers will go into 'float' mode when the battery voltage reaches 13.8V, thus preventing any gassing. Any LA battery with a DOD of 50% is toast in most cases, and AGM's are even more sensitive to a low DOD. One reason I switched to Lithium for most things, they can go down to 10% without damage. But never allow a Lithium with a BMS to go dead, as then the BMS will also be dead and will not 'wake up' to charge the battery.

Jessie. Will a 2amp trickle on an AGM "boil" the gel if left on for a long time? Optima, the most well known AGM will die for good if bubbles surround one of the cells due to over charging, particularly if a high rate of charge is applied.

 

[GregsFX2Ranger]

Hello, it is a 12 volt battery.

Hello, how did you pull up a year and 3 month old message thread? LOLOL

 

[micl9]

Hello, how did you pull up a year and 3 month old message thread? LOLOL

LOL - at first I didn't get your comment.
Flaming a year old thread - Priceless ??

 

[JesseS]

Jessie. Will a 2amp trickle on an AGM "boil" the gel if left on for a long time? Optima, the most well known AGM will die for good if bubbles surround one of the cells due to over charging, particularly if a high rate of charge is applied.

It should not, but if you are worried get a 2 stage trickle charger that shuts off when the battery is fully charged then resumes when the voltage drops to 12.4. I have one for my M/C battery. I would recommend it as it has an AGM setting.
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