Maximizing Battery Life

[got3fords]

other thing is my on board desulfator will not work under 14 volts.

Did you actually verify this? It's supposed to 13.5V, unless they changed it for some reason. But 14V seems rather high in order to be active.

Sponsored

 

[TJC]

Did you actually verify this? It's supposed to 13.5V, unless they changed it for some reason. But 14V seems rather high in order to be active.

He didn't mention which brand desulfator he was using. I assumed it wasn't the BatteryMinder based upon the voltage threshold. If it is the BatteryMinder call support and get a replacement.

 

[2021Ranger]

I’m going to have to check a that and get back to you i may have been assuming that voltage.
to keep the BMS from wandering can it just be disconnected with out an issue?

 

[got3fords]

I’m going to have to check a that and get back to you i may have been assuming that voltage.
to keep the BMS from wandering can it just be disconnected with out an issue?

Many people have just disconnected it at the battery with no negative side affects. I have not.

 

[TJC]

I ran it disconnected for over a year without issue. Charging voltage still fluctuated over time.

Started out at 13.6V, ended up at 14.2V-14.3V.

Reminder, if you are measuring voltage from inside the cabin via the 12V ports, it is going to read 0.2v low from the actual reading at the battery terminals.

 

[got3fords]

Reminder, if you are measuring voltage from inside the cabin via the 12V ports, it is going to read 0.2v low from the actual reading at the battery terminals.

What meter are you using? It must be low-impedance. I just checked mine with a Fluke 73III. The battery voltage was exactly the same as the 12V outlet inside. Make sense if there is little to no current draw.

 

[TJC]

You may be on to something, I used a plug in voltage monitor inside the cab. And a meter outside. The plug in was more convenient, and may be off by 0.2v. At least it was consistent!

Thanks for the check! I'm now having a "DUH!" moment...

 

[TxOTRRanger]

You may be on to something, I used a plug in voltage monitor inside the cab. And a meter outside. The plug in was more convenient, and may be off by 0.2v. At least it was consistent!

Thanks for the check! I'm now having a "DUH!" moment...

That's okay. Those "DUH!" moments happen to everybody, every once in a while.

 

[TJC]

You may be on to something, I used a plug in voltage monitor inside the cab. And a meter outside. The plug in was more convenient, and may be off by 0.2v. At least it was consistent!

Thanks for the check! I'm now having a "DUH!" moment...

I'm responding to my own reply because I just remembered something. I used the same tools on my 2005 Ranger and the voltages came back identical. I think I'll stand by my original statement.

 

[airline tech]

A .2 volt drop across the relay would be normal , that’s what you would see on the power point

 

[got3fords]

A .2 volt drop across the relay would be normal , that’s what you would see on the power point

With respect, what relay? When I measure voltage at the 12V outlet on the inside, and quickly measure, with the same meter, at the battery, I get the same voltage. What am I missing? With no current draw and a high impedance meter, there should no voltage drop to the interior outlets.

 

[TJC]

With respect, what relay? When I measure voltage at the 12V outlet on the inside, and quickly measure, with the same meter, at the battery, I get the same voltage. What am I missing? With no current draw and a high impedance meter, there should no voltage drop to the interior outlets.

I don't doubt you at all. I do believe Airline Tech as well, He validated the same anomaly that I found. I have an XLT, maybe it has something to do with a given option package, or the day it was built.... I dunno, but the readings we both had are real. And my 2005 Ranger readings were in line with your readings, so it can't be our equipment. Both reading on my 4G Ranger were the same. Not the case on the 5G... 0.2v lower inside the cabin. It is definable and repeatable.

 

[got3fords]

I don't doubt you at all. I do believe Airline Tech as well, He validated the same anomaly that I found. I have an XLT, maybe it has something to do with a given option package, or the day it was built.... I dunno, but the readings we both had are real. And my 2005 Ranger readings were in line with your readings, so it can't be our equipment. Both reading on my 4G Ranger were the same. Not the case on the 5G... 0.2v lower inside the cabin. It is definable and repeatable.

Mine is also an XLT. That's a real head scratcher. 0.2 is quite the difference. I assume you are measuring with key off?

 

[airline tech]

Relays - (Here are the relays)

Non- Serviceable and integrated into the BJB
The BCM (controls) the time out feature and uses the (Set & Reset) to do it and it is also used for circuit monitoring

To clear things up (Voltmeter)
This is the voltmeter we are referencing - not take a meter (fluke) and test the wires, this is a borrowed pic (not mine) and when I have this meter plugged in and my scan tool hooked up the scan tool as well as (Fluke -Meter Test) at the battery always read (0.1 or 0.2) volts above this reading
So, there is a small amount of voltage drop (load) using this type of meter across the complete circuit - and it appears its coming from the PP Relay

I think what TJC is stating he can take this meter and plug it in another truck and it matches his actual battery voltage - the most logical difference is that the 2005 most likely does not have the relays in the circuit - so a subtle noted voltage drop with this type of meter while plugged into the power point and its only being noted for (hey expect this) and add .2 to this reading.

 

[TJC]

Mine is also an XLT. That's a real head scratcher. 0.2 is quite the difference. I assume you are measuring with key off?

I measured in under all conditions, Key off, Key on, Key on with engine running. The 0.2v difference never fluctuated...

I used the same equipment in my 2005 Ranger and the readings were identical, no 0.2v difference.

I found it curious, and figured/accepted it was normal behavior. No matter what I've changed in Forscan, plugging/unplugging the BMS sensor, etc., the reading pattern has remain constant - 0.2v lower in the cabin than at the battery.

Sponsored