Size H3 starting battery replacements?

[tls]

Looking to replace my 12V starting battery as it's now 3 years old and has been discharged significantly a few times. The cheapest I can find the Motorcraft replacement is about $215 shipped. I see there are 3rd-party options that all cost more, but then I see a Toyota option (they stock it for the Prius C) in the $150-$180 range.

Not interested in lithium alternatives. I've seen a few tear-downs of those which scared me. Also, my truck is outside in the cold quite a bit in the winter and an LFP starting battery seems like a poor choice for that reason alone.

What are people using for their starting battery replacements, and am I finding the best prices? $200 for a battery of this capacity seems relatively obnoxious, but then again, it's clearly not a common size.

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[tls]

Hm, looks like the Toyota battery might not be an AGM - their part descriptions for a number of their "TrueStart" batteries include "AGM" but not this one.

 

[El Duderino]

I read a post here recently about someone ordering a motorcraft battery from RockAuto.com and it being less than the $215 you quoted. I'll try to find the post.

 

[The Weatherman]

See post #5 in the following thread.

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/threads/happy-anniversary-12v-battery-failure.29799/

 

[Mike G]

Yeah, does the $215 include installation? Cause the Ford parts site says it's $130 with a $18 core charge (if ordered for delivery through my N. AL dealer's parts counter it's $143 (or 28,600 FP points).

$215 seems a bit steep unless that includes the cost of installation.

 

[jefrank]

Looks like Ford may be the best price option, oddly enough. $148 including core list price. Dropped to $135 including core when I selected my local dealer. And I could use my $48+ in Ford points to reduce it even further.

https://parts.ford.com/shop/en/us/b...mponents/vehicle-battery-35-ah-60-rc-p-bagmh3

 

[Mike G]

Also, I noticed when poking around in FORSCAN recently (disabling the running lights when just climate control is on and parked) that my 12V battery DCDC charge setting is up to 90%...if I remember it used to be lower, (like 80% a couple years ago?). I may have tweaked that myself previously, or it may have been one of the OTAs we got that addressed 12V battery charging issues we've all seen. Dunno. But I'm glad that it will charge the 12V battery back up to 90% in any case.

Oh, and that was in the body controller module that I saw that setting.

 

[RickLightning]

The best price is RockAuto...

 

[RLXXI]

Looking to replace my 12V starting battery as it's now 3 years old and has been discharged significantly a few times. The cheapest I can find the Motorcraft replacement is about $215 shipped. I see there are 3rd-party options that all cost more, but then I see a Toyota option (they stock it for the Prius C) in the $150-$180 range.

Not interested in lithium alternatives. I've seen a few tear-downs of those which scared me. Also, my truck is outside in the cold quite a bit in the winter and an LFP starting battery seems like a poor choice for that reason alone.

What are people using for their starting battery replacements, and am I finding the best prices? $200 for a battery of this capacity seems relatively obnoxious, but then again, it's clearly not a common size.

There are different types of lithium batteries such as the NMC HVB in the truck already, fairly volatile, then there's LiPo, VERY volatile, several others not worth mentioning then there's the newest breed called LFP, Lithium Iron Phosphate, which is the most stable and near fireproof type at the expense of energy density. Cold will affect any batteries performance which can be an issue in northern climates.

The LVB which is being discussed is NOT a starting battery perse, all it's doing is engaging a contactor to bring the HVB online, the LVB drives the trucks many electronics, lights, etc. It never experiences the heavy current draw of a traditional ICE starter making temp restrictions less of an issue and to include there are many LFP batteries with built in heaters to overcome severe cold climates and integral BMS for longevity and safety.

You do you and all that but now your equipped with the information to make an informed decision on what to choose.

 

[Rice_classic]

There are different types of lithium batteries such as the NMC HVB in the truck already, fairly volatile, then there's LiPo, VERY volatile, several others not worth mentioning then there's the newest breed called LFP, Lithium Iron Phosphate, which is the most stable and near fireproof type at the expense of energy density. Cold will affect any batteries performance which can be an issue in northern climates.

You may want to clarify your statement. The Lightning HVB is not NCM as you have stated. They are LFP.

edit: My understanding had flaws, as explained below only some are LFP and all ER are NCM.

 

[jefrank]

You may want to clarify your statement. The Lightning HVB is not NCM as you have stated. They are LFP.

SOME Lightning batteries are LFP, but most, at this time, are NCM

 

[RLXXI]

You may want to clarify your statement. The Lightning HVB is not NCM as you have stated. They are LFP.

Check your research. Only certain models get them and the Lightning only gets it in the standard range battery beginning in 2024, the Mach E gets it as well. The extended range batteries in the Lightning are still NMC

 

[Rice_classic]

Check your research. Only certain models get them and the Lightning only gets it in the standard range battery beginning in 2024, the Mach E gets it as well. The extended range batteries in the Lightning are still NMC

I am happy to be corrected. But not happy to learn my model has NCM.

 

[tls]

You do you and all that but now your equipped with the information to make an informed decision on what to choose.

Thanks, I was equipped with it earlier as well. I guess I will continue to "do me" which, in this case, means not incurring the risk of walking out to a dead vehicle in -20F weather because I changed to an LFP battery for the 12V system. Also not incurring the risk of fire or other issues associated with the rather terrifying build quality I've seen in teardowns of multiple brands of 12V LFP batteries.

Did you perchance have any recommendations for 12V AGM batteries?

 

[RLXXI]

Thanks, I was equipped with it earlier as well. I guess I will continue to "do me" which, in this case, means not incurring the risk of walking out to a dead vehicle in -20F weather because I changed to an LFP battery for the 12V system. Also not incurring the risk of fire or other issues associated with the rather terrifying build quality I've seen in teardowns of multiple brands of 12V LFP batteries.

Did you perchance have any recommendations for 12V AGM batteries?

-20 would be considered an extreme climate and warrants using a regular lead acid battery in most cases, the heated LFP remains a better choice, key word (Heated).

I don't recommend AGM batteries for anything, we replace them by the dozen where I work with most of them lasting a year or so. AGM is nothing special, it's still just a lead acid battery only it has Absorbed Glass Mats between the plates, that's it.

Stay away from no name LFP batteries, those are the sketchy ones, name brand and you're good to go. The main caveat being energy density and the fact 95% of LFP are all made in China.

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