? How Many Times Per Week (and for how long)?

[Jbrubakerjr]

So a quick question for those more familiar with the electronics and battery maintenance (an apologies if it has been asked before) - How often is often enough to start and run my Ranger that would eliminate or greatly reduce the need for a battery minder? Typically, I am in my Ranger going somewhere at least twice (sometimes three times) per week, although it is possible that those trips may be less than a mile each way. Is that sufficient for battery maintenance, or do I need to think about a installing a battery minder?

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[Rp930]

As long as it gets a decent drive every few weeks it will be fine. As a reminder trips of less than a mile are hard on any vehicle. The oil never gets hot enough to burn off the condensation, etc.

 

[Msfitoy]

Our son's Mazda 3 sits for weeks while he's at college...no problem...My wife's 2011 260K miles Ford Explorer sits for weeks...no problem...My super clean 2019 Ranger? Probably can sit for months if I could stand it...I seriously doubt any problems...

 

[Trigganometry]

I think a better indicator is if you get messages that your truck is shutting down it’s electronics to save the battery. If that becomes a regular occurrence then I would think a good battery tender is a good idea.

 

[dtech]

Keep in mind the above poster says the charging system is programmed to charge to 70% of full capacity (I also heard 80%) but it's why I use a battery tender.

Just to add my purpose is to extend the life of the battery, so depending on the OPs objective he may elect differently. In general batteries charged at or near 100% may prolong their useful life, wet acid in particular but also applies to AGM to a lesser degree.

 

[Dereku]

Mine gets started and driven an average of 70 miles per day. So no comment here. I have let previous vehicles sit for months at a time and they still startes right up. I would be more concerned about annual oil changes honestly.

 

[Jbrubakerjr]

As long as it gets a decent drive every few weeks it will be fine. As a reminder trips of less than a mile are hard on any vehicle. The oil never gets hot enough to burn off the condensation, etc.

Yep, I realize that. It is a bit too far to walk both ways. Maybe I need to purchase a golf cart as well.

 

[NTXTremor]

Wow. This is NOT where I thought this was going based upon the title.

 

[Jbrubakerjr]

Wow. This is NOT where I thought this was going based upon the title.

That thread may be based on the use of that little blue pill.

 

[EJH]

I think a better indicator is if you get messages that your truck is shutting down it’s electronics to save the battery. If that becomes a regular occurrence then I would think a good battery tender is a good idea.

I'd go with this advice. If this is constantly happening, or the truck seems to be taking longer to turn over to start up, maybe get a tender. I've never used one though.

FWIW, I keep my truck at a house I spend 40-50% of my time at. My truck gets driven as a daily driver for 1-2 weeks, then sits untouched in the garage for 1-3 weeks until I return. This has been the case for almost 2 years. No issues with the battery. I have received the FordPass message about the truck going into deep sleep mode to save the battery twice in that time only, and they were both when the truck was newer (first few months I owned it).

 

[Jbrubakerjr]

I'd go with this advice. If this is constantly happening, or the truck seems to be taking longer to turn over to start up, maybe get a tender. I've never used one though.

FWIW, I keep my truck at a house I spend 40-50% of my time at. My truck gets driven as a daily driver for 1-2 weeks, then sits untouched in the garage for 1-3 weeks until I return. This has been the case for almost 2 years. No issues with the battery. I have received the FordPass message about the truck going into deep sleep mode to save the battery twice in that time only, and they were both when the truck was newer (first few months I owned it).

Thanks, Ed. I have not received any messages, but wanting to be proactive in the care of the truck. Great advice.

 

[Dereku]

Wow. This is NOT where I thought this was going based upon the title.

30-45 seconds max...

 

[MountainGoat]

Something must be up with mine because the battery is always in the yellow, auto start stop worked like the first week I got it then never again and every other time I start it I get the delay (turn the key, doesn't crank over until a second later). I take mostly short trips less than a couple miles though that wasn't until this year. Also had two dead batteries replaced in the first year of ownership. I need to either reprogram forscan to get 100% charge or get a better battery at some point.

So yeah I have the Ctek tender and use it often. And to echo what @Rp930 said I change my oil at the 6 month mark these days instead of going by mileage. Last interval was ~3300 miles.

 

[rcairflr]

Our son's Mazda 3 sits for weeks while he's at college...no problem...My wife's 2011 260K miles Ford Explorer sits for weeks...no problem...My super clean 2019 Ranger? Probably can sit for months if I could stand it...I seriously doubt any problems...

Months? With the miles you post, I wonder if it even sits for minutes

 

[oldnslow]

<snip> Typically, I am in my Ranger going somewhere at least twice (sometimes three times) per week, although it is possible that those trips may be less than a mile each way. Is that sufficient for battery maintenance, or do I need to think about a installing a battery minder?

Trips of less than a mile may not bring a battery up to full charge, even though these trucks (or at least mine) start with very little cranking. It also won't come up to full temperature as others have stated. This is not good for the engine, transmission, or the environment.

Your kind of use is where an electric car would really shine. Because they don't need to be warmed up to work well, short trips will not shorten its life. For trips that short you could charge at home off a standard 120V 15A outlet.

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