Maximizing Battery Life

[TJC]

From the BatteryMinder OnBoard Desulfator Manual

Avoid Battery Sulfation for info about Sulfation

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[SymChris]

Hot temperatures kill batteries, and cold temps expose them.

I’m at 4 years now (Jan ‘19 build, March 14th ‘19 bringing her home).

- Original battery
- I manually turn off AS/S when I start’er up
- I go between 2 vehicles- the truck and a ‘17 Escape. Varies in usage, but neither goes more than 3 days without usage. Then they get driven a bit more.
- If I’m on day 3 or so and it’s been warm enough, I’ll see if AS/S can activate and sure enough it does.

I’m perfectly fine with my baby after 4 years ?

 

[got3fords]

When I connected directly to the battery posts bypassing the BMS sensor, charging voltage went to 13.5V. This test check was done after the battery had been on the charger for a while and the battery had reached the 70%-75% threshold. This leads me to believe that the BMS is active even when the truck is turned off.

But doesn't charging the battery directly bypassing the BMS confuse the BMS? It has no idea that it it being charged and can throw things off?

 

[Chuck Dragisic]

So, if battery state of charge is such a big deal, maybe Ford would add battery state or battery voltage to the dashboard, instead of being buried in Forscan. They wouldn't even have to add it, just substitute it for average speed, which has never been an issue to me. Just a thought.

 

[TJC]

But doesn't charging the battery directly bypassing the BMS confuse the BMS? It has no idea that it it being charged and can throw things off?

Yes, BMS will not know the condition of the battery SOC, but if the truck is left off 8-12 hours it will recalibrate the battery settings. This was covered by Airline Tech in his research.

The problem is that I do not believe it cares so much about the battery condition except to keep the battery only partially charged. And as resistance climbs due to sulfation from the poor charge rate, BMS will raise the charge voltage to compensate. This will put more stress on your alternator and your mpg will drop, not a lot, but it will drop.

My alternator requires less current to charge the battery as the battery's internal resistance is 1/3 of what it was before I began the desulfation process.

When I attempted to charge through the BMS the voltage that I measured at the battery was much less than what the charger was trying to put into the battery. The BMS appeared to only allow a charge equivalent to the target SOC of 70%-75% or about 12.5v total. A fully charged battery in good health should be at 12.85V after resting for 12 hours. See the Batteryminder chart a couple of entries up. Bypassing the BMS system allowed me to fully charge the battery.

This is why I will keep BMS turned off. It is trading a very slight mpg gain initially for battery life. This is my personal conclusion. Ford has had 100 years to optimize battery charge technology. They had it pretty well understood. The technology was very mature. IMO, they took a giant step backwards in search of better EPA numbers. It was a tradeoff that was not to the owners advantage.

If you wish to try an experiment, install the desulfator leaving BMS active, track your battery's health, and report back when you need to replace it. I will leave the BMS sensor disconnected and will do the same. If either of us sees an anomaly. poor battery condition, low voltage indicator, etc., simply report back to this thread. The worst that can happen is you end up replacing your battery early.

As for me, I am confident that I have found the solution to my problem. And by the end of this adventure we will both know.

 

[TJC]

So, if battery state of charge is such a big deal, maybe Ford would add battery state or battery voltage to the dashboard, instead of being buried in Forscan. They wouldn't even have to add it, just substitute it for average speed, which has never been an issue to me. Just a thought.

Cars used to come with have voltage and amperage gauges... a very long time ago.

Once I trust the system, I simply check my battery condition at each oil change. Takes 30 seconds.

 

[got3fords]

Yes, BMS will not know the condition of the battery SOC, but if the truck is left off 8-12 hours it will recalibrate the battery settings. This was covered by Airline Tech in his research.

The problem is that I do not believe it cares so much about the battery condition except to keep the battery only partially charged. And as resistance climbs due to sulfation from the poor charge rate, BMS will raise the charge voltage to compensate. This will put moire stress on your alternator and your mpg will drop, not a lot, but it will drop.

My alternator requires less current to charge the battery as the battery's internal resistance is 1/3 of what it was before I began the desulfation process.

When I attempted to charge through the BMS the voltage that I measured at the battery was much less than what the charger was trying to put into the battery. The BMS appeared to only allow a charge equivalent to the target SOC of 70%-75% or about 12.5v total. A fully charged battery in good health should be at 12.85V after resting for 12 hours. See the Batteryminder chart a couple of entries up. Bypassing the BMS system allowed me to fully charge the battery.

This is why I will keep BMS turned off. It is trading a very slight mpg gain initially for battery life. This is my personal conclusion. Ford has had 100 years to optimize battery charge technology. They had it pretty well understood. The technology was very mature. IMO, they took a giant step backwards in search of better EPA numbers. It was a tradeoff that was not to the owners advantage.

If you wish to try an experiment, install the desulfator leaving BMS active, track your battery's health, and report back when you need to replace it. I will leave the BMS sensor disconnected and will do the same. If either of us sees an anomaly. poor battery condition, low voltage indicator, etc., simply report back to this thread. The worst that can happen is you end up replacing your battery early.

As for me, I am confident that I have found the solution to my problem. And by the end of this adventure we will both know.

Ok, so if I understand correctly, the computer may get confused of the SOC when you charge bypassing the BMS. But, this SHOULD be corrected when the recal is done after sufficient idle time. (still not sure what happens when a night light is always plugged in to disable ASS). Good info.
Yes, I will continue to update with pertinent information with the desulfator installed and BMS active. I am right about 2 years on stock battery now.

 

[got3fords]

So, if battery state of charge is such a big deal, maybe Ford would add battery state or battery voltage to the dashboard, instead of being buried in Forscan. They wouldn't even have to add it, just substitute it for average speed, which has never been an issue to me. Just a thought.

My thought exactly. It can show SOC, internal resistance etc. and recommend replacement.

 

[chrisakz]

My thought exactly. It can show SOC, internal resistance etc. and recommend replacement.

State of charge and resistance would be a little to technical for your average car buyer.. which is why they began simply making “idiot lights”

 

[Chuck Dragisic]

Interestingly , my wife's Cadillac XT4 will show you battery voltage, turbo boost, digital oil temp, and digital transmission temp.

 

[got3fords]

State of charge and resistance would be a little to technical for your average car buyer.. which is why they began simply making “idiot lights”

No doubt. A simple "replace battery soon" should work.

 

[got3fords]

BTW, did you notice the high frquency ticking noise the desulfator makes when in action? Good sign it's not just a gimmick and it's actually doing something.

 

[Trigganometry]

BTW, did you notice the high frquency ticking noise the desulfator makes when in action? Good sign it's not just a gimmick and it's actually doing something.

Did you say ticking?!

 

[TJC]

BTW, did you notice the high frquency ticking noise the desulfator makes when in action? Good sign it's not just a gimmick and it's actually doing something.

I have never heard mine ticking. And I've been using this model for a very long time. I'll break out my auto stethoscope and take a listen next time I check it.

And I assure you, it is NOT a gimmick!

 

[got3fords]

I have never heard mine ticking. And I've been using this model for a very long time. I'll break out my auto stethoscope and take a listen next time I check it.

And I assure you, it is NOT a gimmick!

It is a very quiet noise. I noticed it because it was on the bench desulfating the lawn mower battery and it is a very quiet room. I don't think you ever be able to hear it on the vehicle. A stethoscope should pick it up.

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