Ford BMS Battery Monitoring System: How it Works and How to Properly Charge Your Battery!

[OrangeStreak]

Had my factory battery (30 mos. old) replaced with a new AGM on warranty several weeks ago. Ordered this Desulfator from BatteryMINDer® Model OBD-12: 12V On-Board Desulfator (batteryminders.com) and it is scheduled to arrive tomorrow. Looking forward to setting it up and working to get more life out the new one.

Ironically, during the same week had my Galaxy battery also replaced on warranty. I've committed to make an effort now to try and extend the battery life on all my devices.

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[conductor]

Found this video explains the BMS system. It shows how you should jump start and charge it too. So many have never had this system (myself included) and there's always questions about what to do with these. Overall a good helpful video but the guy does get a little repetitive towards the end.

Yes, this probably qualifies for the longest thread title on here. ?

I got done with the whole bms crap, and disconnected the the bms at the neg. terminal.
No More ASS. anymore and the battery receives a steady 13.8 to 14volts kust like before Fords better idea!

 

[dtech]

Had my factory battery (30 mos. old) replaced with a new AGM on warranty several weeks ago. Ordered this Desulfator from BatteryMINDer® Model OBD-12: 12V On-Board Desulfator (batteryminders.com) and it is scheduled to arrive tomorrow. Looking forward to setting it up and working to get more life out the new one.

Ironically, during the same week had my Galaxy battery also replaced on warranty. I've committed to make an effort now to try and extend the battery life on all my devices.

How is the battery minder working out for you ? I bought a competing less expensive product from pulsetech hooked it up to my 4 yr old battery but don't expect much from it mostly bought it for my Weize AGM bargain batt waiting for the oem to fail, then I expect it to yield results.

https://www.batterystuff.com/blog/o... Battery MINDer,effective when used long term.

 

[dtech]

I got done with the whole bms crap, and disconnected the the bms at the neg. terminal.
No More ASS. anymore and the battery receives a steady 13.8 to 14volts kust like before Fords better idea!

I watched maybe 4 minutes of that dude's video and it served to completely reinforce my decision some yrs back to disco the bms and committed to never again watch any of his pathetic videos.

 

[OrangeStreak]

How is the battery minder working out for you ? I bought a competing less expensive product from pulsetech hooked it up to my 4 yr old battery but don't expect much from it mostly bought it for my Weize AGM bargain batt waiting for the oem to fail, then I expect it to yield results.

https://www.batterystuff.com/blog/on-board-desulfator-battery-minder-vs-pulse-tech.html#:~:text=Pulse Tech and Battery MINDer,effective when used long term.

dtech,
I am very challenged when it comes to electrical systems. Tony @TJC is guiding me with steps on how to learn to use this system. I'm not sure yet how to monitor the BatteryMINDer results but here are the readings so far according to my battery tester and hope they help. I have a NOCO charger that I haven't used yet but need to start hooking it up when the battery shows that it needs a charge after testing.

 

[dtech]

dtech,
I am very challenged when it comes to electrical systems. Tony @TJC is guiding me with steps on how to learn to use this system. I'm not sure yet how to monitor the BatteryMINDer results but here are the readings so far according to my battery tester and hope they help. I have a NOCO charger that I haven't used yet but need to start hooking it up when the battery shows that it needs a charge after testing.

Kee in mind batteries are chemical devices and readings are impacted by a number of factors , especially by temperature differences and if you still have the bms operational I'd expect to see a wide range of readings.

 

[TJC]

Yep, temps matter. I would try unplugging the BMS module at the neg terminal as an experiment. Drive it for a month of two and then check your results. You might be surprised.

 

[ccasanova22]

Had a new battery installed under warranty and I have been charging using a smart trickle charger (NOCO with intelligent battery state CPU) when the truck sat unused, the factory battery still died within a year and a half. Started throwing U codes and wouldn’t charge items like cell phones nor provide DC power for accessories.

So even if the BMS is tweaked, it may not be always yield the best battery life.

And yes, I was charging thru the current sensors, not to the battery posts directly.

 

[OregonRangerTremor]

Had a new battery installed under warranty and I have been charging using a smart trickle charger (NOCO with intelligent battery state CPU) when the truck sat unused, the factory battery still died within a year and a half. Started throwing U codes and wouldn’t charge items like cell phones nor provide DC power for accessories.

So even if the BMS is tweaked, it may not be always yield the best battery life.

And yes, I was charging thru the current sensors, not to the battery posts directly.

Mine has been hooked up since purchase in 2021 (and my Bronco since 2022) to a Deltran Battery Tender, 24/7, hooked up directly to the battery. Zero issues, battery is tested at 90% and it is always ready to go. I have had all my vehicles, show cars, farm equipment hooked up this way for at least 2 decades with no issues and extended battery life.
This model:

 

[ryyck]

Found this video explains the BMS system. It shows how you should jump start and charge it too. So many have never had this system (myself included) and there's always questions about what to do with these. Overall a good helpful video but the guy does get a little repetitive towards the end.

Yes, this probably qualifies for the longest thread title on here. ?

Very good video. I thought my battery was dying, but I really don't drive the truck very much. It's a 2019 with 14,000 miles. Maybe, instead of a new battery, I just need to take it outside the garage every once in a while. Any thoughts?

 

[AzScorpion]

Very good video. I thought my battery was dying, but I really don't drive the truck very much. It's a 2019 with 14,000 miles. Maybe, instead of a new battery, I just need to take it outside the garage every once in a while. Any thoughts?

Hey @ryyck long time no see! I don't drive mine much either (maybe a little more than you lol) and most of my trips are short commutes. This really never gives the battery time to charge and while it's sitting there's quite a bit of parasitic drain on them. I started using a battery maintainer on my '19 after the first battery died in 18 months and that seems to really help. Taking it out for long drives is good too but sometimes it's not always practical to do. If it were me (and being that it's a 2019) I would replace it and then add a maintainer on it. Here's the one I use (and several others here use it too) along with the extension lead which make it way more convenient.

It's on sale now for Black Friday too.

CTEK Maintainer:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CD44RQ...0W5WUIWA&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Extension Cable: **Make sure you ground this to the chases and not the negative post.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ADIHUVG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here's a battery many have purchased.

https://www.weizeus.com/products/we...otive-battery-140rc-850cca-36-months-warranty


Here's a post of mine showing where I grounded it and ran the extension wire. Don't mind the dirty engine bay.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/fordpass-app-message.20787/post-447866

 

[ryyck]

Hey @ryyck long time no see! I don't drive mine much either (maybe a little more than you lol) and most of my trips are short commutes. This really never gives the battery time to charge and while it's sitting there's quite a bit of parasitic drain on them. I started using a battery maintainer on my '19 after the first battery died in 18 months and that seems to really help. Taking it out for long drives is good too but sometimes it's not always practical to do. If it were me (and being that it's a 2019) I would replace it and then add a maintainer on it. Here's the one I use (and several others here use it too) along with the extension lead which make it way more convenient.

It's on sale now for Black Friday too.

CTEK Maintainer:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CD44RQ...0W5WUIWA&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Extension Cable: **Make sure you ground this to the chases and not the negative post.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ADIHUVG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here's a battery many have purchased.

https://www.weizeus.com/products/we...otive-battery-140rc-850cca-36-months-warranty


Here's a post of mine showing where I grounded it and ran the extension wire. Don't mind the dirty engine bay.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/fordpass-app-message.20787/post-447866

That's an awesome response.
I really do appreciate the info. I never had any problem with the truck...so I read stuff here, but never had any input...until I started seeing the low battery screen when I started the truck. Best truck I ever owned.
I still learn a lot from the folks here. And since the truck doesn't get around much, I startd to think about the trickle charger stuff. Even if I don't drive much, the battery is showing age and wear. I appreciate your opinion. I've seen CTEK and NOCO. When the wife had her battery die, we pickd up a 2000v NOCO jump pack. Lesson learned. This is the same with the Ranger battery. I need to start maintaining the battery if it sits for a period of time. I saw your post with the cable...I think you have a bit more finesse then I do. I'm pretty simple. But, I can attach a charger to the battery after I replace it.
You take care, my friend, and enjoy your Thanksgiving...with no battery problems.

Rick

 

[AzScorpion]

That's an awesome response.
I really do appreciate the info. I never had any problem with the truck...so I read stuff here, but never had any input...until I started seeing the low battery screen when I started the truck. Best truck I ever owned.
I still learn a lot from the folks here. And since the truck doesn't get around much, I startd to think about the trickle charger stuff. Even if I don't drive much, the battery is showing age and wear. I appreciate your opinion. I've seen CTEK and NOCO. When the wife had her battery die, we pickd up a 2000v NOCO jump pack. Lesson learned. This is the same with the Ranger battery. I need to start maintaining the battery if it sits for a period of time. I saw your post with the cable...I think you have a bit more finesse then I do. I'm pretty simple. But, I can attach a charger to the battery after I replace it.
You take care, my friend, and enjoy your Thanksgiving...with no battery problems.

Rick

I agree it's a great truck! That's why I bought another one after my '19 was totaled. Both the CTEK and NOCO are great chargers and you'll be happy with either of them. You could always route to cable out from the grille which would be much easier and they do come with the regular battery clamps to make it easier to charge. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family and don't be such a stranger. ?

 

[Ranger_Rocks]

" Ground wires for added circuits... "

 

[ryyck]

I had the battery tested yesterday. It tested good at a 48% charge. I was surprised it was an AGM battery. It's always cranked up without a problem. I picked up a NOCO Genius 10 and I'll charged it up. And I'll start driving the truck more often. Maybe that was the problem all along. All this information about memory and such is still valuable to know. Winter is here...

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